Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v1.c5.s2.12

v1.c5.s2.12

Proceeding farther to the right, we enter an open court where the green leaves of a pīpal tree against a light vermilion horizon show exquisite taste as regards colour effect. Here the rājā has been represented standing by a pair of scales. One of his hands is open and hanging low, showing in a conventional manner that he is prepared to make a sacrifice. The treatment of this hand up to the wrist is splendid, but the elbow and arm do not show a correct knowledge of anatomy. With the other hand the rājā is holding the strings of one of the scales. Near the cross-bar of the scales stands a red male figure, wearing a long white coat (*aṅgrakhā*), tightened by a girdle, three folds of which near the waist-line may be noticed. In his left hand he holds a long stick, and his right hand is raised in a peculiar manner, perhaps suggesting that the vow must (or must not) be fulfilled. Unfortunately the head is damaged, so that we do not catch the correct expression of the face and cannot decide whether he is the ‘hawk’ of the story, in a human form, demanding the fulfilment of the vow, or a devoted servant of the rājā imploring him to refrain from such an action.¹ The artist’s delicate brush-lines, indicating the creases in the garment of this figure, are very interesting.