The Hindu Temple v2.c12.308

v2.c12.308

With the roof now missing, the flight of the Gaṇas on the capital, is in the open. But in their original context too their figures though forming part of the capital, are neither caryatids nor Kicakas. They are shown flying across the air from within the mass of the capital, and seem to have traversed its solid shape and emerged sturdy and intent on playing their music on flute and conchshell with their whole being which is made for this purpose. Reservoirs of air, their inflated bodies and cheeks, air-padded hands, fingers and locks, guarantee perennial power blowing the conchshell and playing flute. These wind-bags, with one leg tucked under, the other thrown backward and their second pair of hands raised as they dive into space, are propelled by a gale which torments the stone, agitates the air and penetrates both; they form a ‘rājasīka’ image of Ākāśa, ether itself, which is present everywhere and whose quality is sound.