The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.120

v1.c10.120

‘ Mr. Fergusson has published this scene in his great work ( plate XXXVI ), but he says that “ it represents, one of those transactions between the Hindus and Dasyus which have probably only a local meaning, and to which therefore, it is improbable we shall ever be able to affix a definite mening ”.74 To those, however, who are familiar with the story of the *Rāmāyaṇa* and the *Jātaka*, the improbability will give place to unmistakable certainty, the only difficulty being the presence of a companion of the king in the scene of action, due probably to the Buddhist version having included such a personage in the tale whose name has been omitted in Mr. D'Alwis' abstract as unimportant. According to the *Rāmāyaṇa*, the king went to the wood in his car and was attended by his charioteer. General Cunningham takes the blind hermits to be ascetics, and observes, "I am unable to offer any explanation of this curious scene, but it may possibly have reference to some event in the early life of Śākya".⁷⁵ Mr. Fergusson appeals to the scene as an evidence of the Aryans or Hindus having formerly indulged in the wicked pastime of shooting the inoffensive Dasyus; but if my identification be correct, the inference will of course lose its only foot-hold.