The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.253

v2.c17.s1.253

The *Nīlādri-mahodaya*, a local Māhātmya, describes in detail the proportions of the different parts of the images. According to it, the image of Balabhadra should have a total length of 85 *yavas* or barley-corns but the word is so used as to imply a finger’s breadth. This would give a total height of six feet. Of this total, 18½ *yavas* are assigned to the lower part, a solid block, rounded in front and on the top, but flat behind. Over this comes the waist which should measure 10½ *yavas* in height and 11 in breadth. The top over this is shaped like an armorial shield, rounded below and scalloped above. This is divided by paint into two parts, one callled hṛdaya or breast and the other the face. The former should be 9 *yavas* in height and the the latter 47 *yavas*. The face is divided into three parts : 1st, the mouth from the chin (indicated by paint only) : 11 *yavas* ; 2nd, the face proper from the mouth to the forehead : 31 *yavas* ; and 3rd, the head or technically the hood ( *phaṇā* ) : 5 *yavas*. The mouth is indicated by paint in the form of a crescent. The nose is large and very much hooked. The nostrils are indicated by two red spots. The space between the cheeks is hollowed to bring out the nose ; and the eyes, which are oval, placed on the inclined surface, look as if they were obliquely set, the outer corners rising upwards. There is no carving or painting of any kind to indicate the ears. The head is scalloped into two arched forms projecting forward in some fancied resemblance to the hood of a serpent. On the crown of the head there is a rounded knob, rising about four inches ; but this is not included in the details of the Māhātmya. Seen in profile the face has a nearly straight line with two hooked projections. The arms project laterally and horizontally in a line with the mouth and the forearms project forward, ending in stumps without any hands. Near the place of junction of the arms with the body there is, on each side, a knob with a depressed centre to indicate the place whence the body of a serpent is supposed to rise. On ceremonial occasions an image of a serpent is placed there, but it forms no part of the image. The fathom is reckoned at 48 *yavas*. The body is carved out of one block of wood and the arms and forearms are nailed to it. This, however, being a weak contrivance, a batten of sandlewood extending from elbow to elbow, is nailed on the back. The colour of this image is pure white, which has made many Europeans to mistake it for Mahādeva. The stump below is made much larger to prevent the image from tumbling and the other parts have also been altered. The annexed woodcut (No. 11) shows the image as it is now made and divested of all clothing.