The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.143

v2.c17.143

**Vrishabha :—**Close by the third doorway on the north of the Dancing Hall there is a low square room with its floor 2 feet lower than the level of the courtyard, and in it is placed the figure of a colossal bull called Vṛṣabha. In its crouching attitude, it is five feet high at the withers. It is made of a whitish grey sandstone, [83] and its proportions and finish are excellent. Altogether it affords a superior specimen of Orissan Art. The bull is the vehicle of Bhuvaneśvara, and acts likewise as a guard at his gate, and none is permitted to enter the temple and pay his adoration to the divinity without in the first instance purchasing the goodwill of the guard by becoming offerings and salutation. In fact this bull, the image of Gopālinī near the main gate, and the statues of Bhagavatī, Kārtikeya and Gaṇeśa on the three sides of the Great Tower are regularly worshipped by every pilgrim, before he makes his appearance before the Lord of the Universe. None is otherwise permitted to enter the sanctuary.