Indian Sculpture c8.166

c8.166

Radiance and centrifugal energy, multiplicity of appearance and opposites of form (Gaṇas and Śiva figures), all of them are compositionally referred to the centre, while the experience which has put them forth itself rests in its own power. This image is to be connected with less complete visualisations of a similar nature. On a lower level, but of a similar principle, are sculptures from Mathurā of a Nāga and Nāgī;215 in either of them a multiple of figures radiates from head and shoulders of the figures. Nāga and Yakṣa figures were not distinguished as sculptural types (except for iconographic details, such as the hood of the Nāga, etc.), as can be seen in Bhārhut.216 In the two Mathurā sculptures the back, moreover, is carved in each case in the likeness of a tree; this shows that Nāga, Yakṣa, Vṛkṣakā or Śālabhañjikā were conceived as closely allied.