The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c9.s4.9

c9.s4.9

Every coin shows the letter *si* under the standing horse; it is obviously an abbreviation of the word *siddham*. The platform on which the horse is shown as standing is the *vedi* or altar; the base of the *yūpa* (sacrificial post) to which it was tied, is usually seen partly within the altar and partly outside it. The *Taittirīya Saṃhitā* (VI. 6. 4.) states that if the *yūpa* was fixed entirely within the *vedi*, the sacrificer will win only the world of gods, if it was completely outside the *vedi*, he will win the world of men, but that if it was partly within and partly outside the *vedi*, the sacrificer will win both the worlds. The mintmasters were obviously anxious that the emperor should win both the worlds; hence they have usually shown the *yūpa* as partly within and partly outside the *vedi*. In a few cases, owing obviously to artistic considerations, they have shown the *yūpa* as connected with the *vedi* by a perpendicular line (Pl. III. 10). On some rare coins there appears to be a low pedestal above the platform of the *vedi* (Pl. III. 12). Mr. Allan is inclined to think that this object may be the slab of gold on which the *hotṛ* sat.² One however fails to understand why it should be shown as placed under the horse. The nature of this pedestal is still a mystery.