The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c13.19

c13.19

There is a slight difference between the Vedic altars of the Gautamî-putra capitals and those at Kârlê: in most of them the four legs of the altar which enclose the water-lily fruit, or *amalaka*, are carved into dwarf figures, the *pisâchas*—little demons or trolls of the nether-world who are the servants of the Shining Ones, the Devas of the higher spheres. The pillars have no bases, but stand upon another stone bench provided for the monks in the verandah. In front of the pillars is a Vedic rail, supported by pisâchas on a colossal scale. Another sculptured rail forms the entablature supported by the capitals.