The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c16.469

v1.c16.469

(1) *Dacca Caṇḍī image-inscription.*—The image was discovered in the ruins of Rampal (Dacca district). The goddess has four arms and "stands in a graceful tribhaṅga pose on a full-blown lotus over a couchant lion." Her upper left hand holds a half-blown lotus with some buds, the lower left hand holds an "ornamental basket-like thing" (a flower basket or waterpot), the upper right hand an elephant goad, lower one is in *Varadamudrā*. As two elephants are found pouring water over her, a sign of Gaja-lakṣmī, it has been suggested that she may represent the *Śakti* of the god Harihara. The inscription records that the *Adhikṛta* Dāmodara, son of Mālādatta (or Mālākhadga?) began (this image) of Caṇḍī-devī which was installed by his younger brother Nārāyaṇa. It is dated in the year 3 of Lakṣmaṇasenadeva.¹