The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c16.s2.60
The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c16.s2.60
- Language
- English
v2.c16.s2.60
The head of a Bodhisattva in Plate LVII *a* is modelled like many other Deccanese sculptures of the fifth century A.D., but the thick nose of Dravidian type shows it to be of earlier origin, some time in the third. The repose and internal calm of this figure are marvellous. The bulky *yaksha* (Plate LVIII *a-b*) represented with elaborate head-gear may be Kuvera, who was a popular god among the Buddhists during the early centuries of the Christian era. The style of the ornamentation of the head-gear resembles to some extent that of the decoration of the head-dresses of Saka or Parthian donors of cave-temples in Western India, whose statues may be seen at Kondāne and other Buddhist religious sites (Plate XXIII).²