Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c17.112

v4.c17.112

In line 5 we have a Mallayeśa and in line 8 a Cholla. It is rather hazardous to suggest at this stage that they refer respectively to a *Malayēśa*, ‘king of Malaya’ and a *Chola* ruler. Similarly we cannot at present state definitely what *puṇḍra* in lines 1 and 10 stands for. It may be a proper name, presumably of a country. We know of a Puṇḍravardhana in East India, but not in South India. Certain recensions of the *Mahābhārata* bracket the name of the ruler of the Puṇḍra kingdom with that of the Pāṇḍya in enumerating the princes who attended the *svayaṃvara* of Draupadī.¹ Since, however, all the other princes mentioned in that particular verse, except the Pāṇḍya one, belong either to the north or to the east, it is doubtful whether the Puṇḍra refers to a country in South India.