Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c77.255

v2.c77.255

"The Yaksha style flourished about the third century B.C., as Taranath associates it with King Asoka. In spite of efforts to locate a race of Yakshas; it is clear that the author treats these as a community of supernatural beings, people who were demi-gods and whose art was of a miraculous order. The Naga style was practised in the time of Nagarjuna, a writer and philosopher who lived at the beginning of the third century A.D. by 'Naga artisans.' Traces of the Nagas, an early race who lived under the protection of snakes, are to be found in India from Kashmir to Madras. The Stupa of Amravati, erected about the second century A.D. on the Krishna river (Madras State) shows many traces of the influence of Nagas, who appear to have been great architects and artists. From Taranath's criticism of the work of all these three styles we are left in no doubt as to its general character being es entially realistic, for he proceeds to sum up his description by the statement that 'the works of the Devas, Yakshas and Nagas for many years deceived men by their reality".