The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c10.s3.5

c10.s3.5

Upon the south side of this same rock is a sculpture of Nārāyaṇa reclining upon Śesha, with the ten *avatāras* in a row above him, some on one side and some on the other side of Brahmā. This image is still worshipped, and a small shrine has been built out in front of the rock enclosing the image. Over against this, and under the overhanging cliffs to the south-east of the lake, is a great fallen mass of rock leaning against the cliff side. It has so fallen as to form a natural cavern beneath it, entrance to which is obtained by crawling under the rock through a low tunnel-like opening. Upon the cliff, inside, is carved a large image in a seated Buddha-like attitude, but it is neither a representation of Buddha nor a Jina. It is, without doubt, a portrait statue (Fig. 17). The image is bejewelled with necklace, bracelets and anklets, and wears the sacred thread. The hair, so far as can be seen, where not encrusted with lime and oil, is in knobbly curls, but there is the Buddha-like lump on the top of the head. The legs are in the usual cross-legged position. The right hand, which is raised from the elbow before the breast, holds a *mālā* or rosary, the beads of which are being passed through the fingers. The left hand rests, Jina-like in the lap, palm upwards. The person is seated upon a lion throne, the front of which is divided into three compartments, with a lion in each. On either side of him is a *chauri* bearer, while behind him is the usual throne back, as seen behind Jina images. The whole has been fouled with constant oiling, and the top of the head and forehead are a dirty shiny white. It seems to be still worshipped. The story in connection with it is that, once upon a time, there was a *rāja* or *rāyā* who was afflicted with white leprosy, who, on coming to Bādāmi, was cured of it, and this is his image. It is called Koshatrāyā, *i.e.*, the *rāyā* who had *kusta* or white leprosy. Beside it on the rock, a little way to the right of the image, is a very small image of a little fat man, which might be an image of the person who had the big one carved, or perhaps the *rāja*’s prime minister.