Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s2: A Yaksha with a Female Attendant

Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s2

Language: English

A Yaksha with a Female Attendant

v4.c16.s2.2

*This painting is on the left wall of the veranda, near the south-west corner, Cave XVII.*

THE right half of the painting is completely destroyed, apparently through the effect of moisture resulting from the accumulation of rain-water and silt in the veranda during previous years.¹ A corpulent green figure wearing rich pearl jewellery, such as was affected by princes, is, however, clear. It evidently represents the Yaksha Maṇibhadra, whose name frequently occurs in Buddhist literature,² and here the name is inscribed in red paint above the figure.³ The *yaksha* on his left has a female *chaurī*-bearer, whose beautiful head-dress and graceful way of curving her fingers and placing them on her chin in the characteristic Indian style attract the eye. A portion of the head of another figure may be traced to the left of the *chaurī*-bearer. The style of this painting is the same as that of the figures delineated on both sides of the door, on the back wall of the veranda.⁴

v4.c16.s2.4

¹ The drainage of the veranda has been improved since the creation of the Archaeological Department in the State, and there is no danger of the rain-water damaging the paintings of the veranda in future.

v4.c16.s2.5

² *Saṃyutta Nikāya*, i, 208, and *Avadānaśataka*, ii, 179.

v4.c16.s2.6

³ The inscription is reproduced in *Ajanta*, iii (text volume), Plate IX *a*.

v4.c16.s2.7

⁴ *Ajanta*, iii, Plates LXVIII–LXXII.

v4.c16.s2.8

Above this subject is a belt of hills, conventionally represented by rectangular bands placed one above the other. Close to these hills an areca-nut tree may be seen, and also a corpse, which is lying stretched on the ground. Higher up amidst crags a hermit clad in a reddish tunic is watching the corpse. Creepers with carefully drawn leaves are shown sprouting from the joints of crags. A brass or earthen waterpot (*loṭā*) may also be seen among foliage on the left of the hermit. The place may represent a natural cavern, or a recess in the hillside, which the hermit has selected for contemplation. The subject has not yet been identified.

Linked texts (2)

Avadānaśataka — Sanskrit
Saṃyuttanikāya — Pāli