The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.355

v2.c17.s1.355

2. The *Mārkaṇḍa Tank* is situated about 3 furlongs to the north of the Great Templ and is very largely resorted to by pilgrims. It is of an irregular shape and lined throughout with stones. It has several excellent ghāṭs around it and a temple of Śiva on the south side (Woodcut No. 20). It was greatly improved and repaired by the late Rājā Kīrticandra of Burdwan, but it has existed for a long time. The *Kapila Saṃhitā* assigns its origin to Kṛṣṇa, who caused it to be excavated and himself endowed it with its sin-removing quality. Close by the landing of the northern ghāṭ there is a large Indian fig tree (*Ficus indicus*) and under it are ranged eight statues, each four feet high. The figures are executed in a superior style in chlorite and represent four-handed females, seated on thrones, and having each a child on her lap. They represent the eight primitive mothers or matriarchs (Mātṛkās) through whom, according to the Tantras, the creation has been evolved. The *Varāha Purāṇa* takes them to be the personifications of the eight passions, *kāma* &c. The description given of them in the *Viṣvakarmā Śāstra* as quoted in the *Vrata Khaṇḍa* of Hemādri's *Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi* does not, however, correspond in every detail with the statues as we find them at Puri and elsewhere. In it the number of hands and heads of the several goddesses is greatly increased and the hands being numerous the implements held by them are also multiplied. The text also differs in not referring to the child on the lap. There is no doubt, however, that the text and the sculptures refer to the same goddesses. The *Mārkaṇḍa Purāṇa* reduces the heads and the hands to what occurs in the sculptures; but its description is not very precise. The first image is that of Brāhmī, the wife of Brahmā; she is a handsome woman with four heads like her consort and four hands; she has for her vehicle a goose, which is shown under the throne, crouching under her feet. The hands are broken. In the *Viśvakarmā Śāstra* she is described as four-headed, six-armed, tawny-coloured, profusely ornamented, having a tiger-skin belt athwart her breast and holding forth in the hands of the right side a thread, a spoon and blessings, and in those of the left side a book, an urn and the sign of encouragement.