The Colas c36.117

c36.117

Fig. 97. Rāvaṇa’s encounter with Jaṭāyu, while carrying away Sītā. In the temple at Tribhuvanam, Tanjore District. Rāvaṇa with all his heads and arms stands within his divine chariot as suggested by the hiding away of his legs below knees. He is in the attitude of fighting. Sītā is seated in front of him and is in the attitude of mourning for her plight. Jaṭāyu, the king of the birds, with a gigantic body and a stylish but beautiful beak is shown on the right side. This bas-relief is comparatively later than the ones from Kumbakonam, but still the sculpture is remarkable for its composition as well as for the vigorous depiction of the scene.