Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c10.s2.13

c10.s2.13

The painter of the eyes, whether the King or craftsman, was accompanied by a second man, also robed, and with a cloth over his head, but less elaborately; both, and also the ‘Brahmans’ if not very youthful, entered the vihāra, but all other men, and still more, women, stood afar off. The second man carried a mirror (kannaḍiya: originally, no doubt, of metal) and the brushes and black paint for painting the eyes. On opening the door, mantrams were said, and the dhoby spread a white cloth to walk upon (or perhaps this was done at an earlier stage). Proceeding to the image, before which stood the indrakila above described, the second man held the mirror in front of it while the first man painted in the eyes. The second man repeated mantrams* the while. If there Netra Mangalya