The Beginnings of Buddhist Art and Other Essays in Indian and Central-Asian Archaeology c11.s1.89

c11.s1.89

20. (L., 166). The destinies are accomplished : Roruka has been buried with almost all its inhabitants. When the curtain rises again, we are in the village of Khara, the first halting-place of Mahâkâtyâyana on the route of his return to India. The tutelary goddess of Roruka, who has followed him in his flight through the air, is detained at Khara by an imprudent promise : but, on leaving her, the monk presents her with a souvenir in the shape of his goblet, over which a *stūpa* is raised. It is the inauguration of this monument which is represented on the bas-relief : on the right is the chief of the village; on the left, with a lamp in one hand and a fan in the other, is the goddess herself; behind them crowd the laity of both sexes and the musicians.