The Indus Civilization c6.29

c6.29

Another seal-amulet shows a buffalo which has obviously attacked a group of people, and is standing triumphant in the midst of its victims; it is possible that this is a representation of a deity overcoming his enemies. The reader is also referred in this instance to the amulet described earlier in this chapter, where a buffalo is shown probably tossing a man over his head, with a sacred tree and cult object near by. The wild buffalo is regarded as a most dangerous animal in India as well as in Africa, and it is therefore a fitting vehicle for Yama, the Hindu god of death. As this animal is quite commonly portrayed on the seal-amulets, it must be considered, like the others, to be a symbol of a particular god, doubtless a terrible one.