Cave XVII. is a fine vihara, and is known as the zodiac cave, from containing, at the left end of the verandah, a circular piece of painting, divided into eight compartments by lines from the centre. There is a difference in the architecture of this cave as compared with the last; and a great deal of progress is shown in the style of painting. The form of the characters used in the long inscription in the verandah, also show an advance, and indicate an interval of about 50 years between the two caves. The verandah has been supported by six plain octagonal columns, with bracket capitals and neat attic-like bases, but without the lower torus. Outside, to the left, is a triple compartment of sculpture over a cistern. The central compartment contains Buddha sitting under an ornamental arch, having vidyadharas above, and the wheel, deer, and lions below; while the compartment on either side has a Buddha standing on a lotus, with worshippers. An inscription is above it; and at the right end are several rows of squatting Buddhas sculptured in the rock. A stair leads down from the front of the cave to the stream below; and the hall is entered by a central door, which has a row of painted Buddhas over it. There are also two side doors and windows. The hall is 63 feet 9 inches by 62 feet by 13 feet in dimensions; and its roof is supported by twenty octagonal pillars, all plain, except two in the middle of the front and back rows. These have square bases, with shafts partly octagonal and partly 16-sided. The antechamber has two figures in front; and the shrine room is 17 feet 9 inches by 20 feet. Before the great image are two standing figures, one of which holds the alms-bowl of the mendicant friar. There are also two chauri-bearers and two attendants on each side of Buddha. The cave contains sixteen cells, besides two in the verandah; and a hole in the floor, at the right end of the latter, leads into a fine cistern of water. An inscription at the left end of the verandah gives the names of certain princes of ‘Asmaka, who may have been rajas of the sixth century. [The following translation of the inscription is given in the Archaeological Survey of Western India, Vol. IV.:-
" ..............Having adored the ascetic who completely knows the three sciences, I will set forth a description of the donor of the vihara, whose deeds are pure.
" ..................to the king who had obtained existence through........... and who..........parasol (over his head), a son named Dhritarashtra was born who possessed a white parasol.
" (The son).............. of that king was Harisamba, whose face was as lovely as a lotus, and the moon. Again the offspring of that king was Saurisamba, possessed of spotless beauty.
" (His son was).............. resplendent Upendragupta of widespread fame. To him was born a............... son whose famous name was king Kacha;
" (From him was descended)............... in order to deposit his fame on earth, Bhikshudasa. The son of that ruler was called Niladasa, famous on earth.
" (His son was)............... he who is known as Kacha, of brilliant fame. Then Krishnadasa became the increaser of the splendour of that king's race and line.
" (His son) was Suchandra, the daughter of........... clad in garments pure as the moon's rays, whose face resembled the full moon, whose ornaments were modesty and virtuous conduct.
" ................Obtained................ causing brilliancy.............. On her he (begat) two lotus-eyed, almond-eyed (sons), with bodies lovely like burnished gold.
" .............two princes resembling Pradyumna and Samba. The elder one bore the office of sole ruler, the second bore the appellation, Ravisamba.
" .............(With or by) 'Asmaka and others............. having conquered with very great............ they shone like sun and moon.
" ................whole those two whose creeperlike friendship and glory had grown very much, were living always in concord and happiness.
" The thunderbolt of.............. whose decree is not to be evaded even by............ and whose dread strength is produced by deeds done in former existences, was hurled on the younger one.
" ...............Afterwards a minister, called Achitya, made the great tree of spiritual merit grow.
" ..............He worshipped those who possess great learning, liberality, mercy, contentment, friendship, patience, heroism and wisdom.
" ................Greatly moved by (their) conduct, he whose own conduct was very pure imitated the princes whose conduct is praised.
"He made..............., and likewise needy men whose wants were satisfied, spread the fame of him who.............
' ................By the power of an expenditure of wealth, he who was touched by compassion freed those who were struggling with cares for their sons, and those nose eyes were overflowing..................
" By whom as by a son.................. the store of purity of whose heart even learned men..................
" .....................................
" ..................He purified the whole world by the light of his fame, which was resplendent like the rays of the moon.
" While (that) moon among princes Harishena, who did what was good for his subjects, ruled..................
" ..................He who possessed a prodigious store of merit adorned the earth with stupas and viharas and gave great joy to the needy by lavish liberality.
" ..............................
" .........................this monolithic, gem-like hall, in which a chaitya of the king of ascetics has been placed, and which is endowed with the excellent qualities of depth and..................
" ..................having expended much (money) he caused to be built a perfect chaitya, (the beauty of) which cannot be imagined by little souled men.
" ..................He placed (in it) a great reservoir charming to the eyes, (which is filled) with sweet, pure, clear, cool and copious water.
" ..................On the other side of his (Buddha's) body, towards the west, he caused; to be built a beautiful gandhakuti, pleasing to the eye.
" ....................May all desired success on earth attend those who, with all their acts, strive for the welfare of those (monks), in fulfilment of the prayers of the lord of munis.
" ....................May (this) hall (given) out of affection, so long increase the comfort of the saints, as the sun chases the darkness away with his rays."
The inscription probably belongs to the end of the 5th or the beginning of the 6th century A.D. The characters are in the northern, or rather the central group of alphabets. The genealogy is as follows:-1, Dhritarashtra; 2, Harisamba; 3, Saurisamba; 4, Upendragupta; 5, Kacha I.; 6, Bhikshudasa; 7, Niadasa; 8, Kacha II.; 9, Krishmadasa; 10, Ravisamba. The first prince probably began to reign about A.D. 250. Pandit Bhagavanlal thinks that Harishena mentioned in this inscription is the Vakataka prince whose name occurs in Cave XII.; and that the Vakatakas were the lords paramount whom these rulers obeyed. The vihara was the work of a minister of this subordinate dynasty.] The ceiling of the verandah is still pretty entire, and there are more remains of painting in this, than in any other cave. Many interesting scenes are depicted on the walls, and the Amazons are also represented, who defended Ceylon against the invasion from Kalinga. [The right compartments of the circular piece of painting, from which the cave derives its name, are filled with human figures variously employed; and may possibly be representative of existence. A man is alone in one compartment; in another he is accompanied by animals in the next utensils are introduced; then buildings, streets, &c, with men and women, &c. The circle is upheld by a pair of long green arms, and the rim is divided into sixteen partitions containing symbols. To the left, on the same wall, are two bullocks led by a man, a women carrying aboard with some object on her head, and two red-skinned men, one with a pole over his shoulder. Below is a Bhikshuk coated in a cave, with a water-pot, in front, and a dead body at his feet. To the left of the circle, the return of the front wall contains a painting of a large yellow spotted snake, bent in a semicircle, with rocks on the outerside, and men, buildings, and trees within it. Below the circle is a green figure like a raja, labelled Manibhadra, with attendants; and to the left of the latter is a painting of the Buddhist litany. Avalokitesvara holds the palm of his right hand forward, and has a bottle in his left hand. An upper oval compartment on the left represents a raging fire, and a figure fleeing from it to Avalokitesvara; and the next seems to have been Kali or death pursuing her victim. The upper picture on the right contained a snake from which deliverance was sought; then came a lion; and then an infuriated elephant. On the right of the back wall are three females and a male, floating through the air, accompanied by two swans. A young chief is seated at the extreme left end of the back wall; and on his right is his wife, and another woman, dressed in a white and blue petticoat and with a rich pearl necklace. Below is a woman with a dish; before the chief is a red-skinned man in a white coat, who is listening; and in front of him, a green man with a stick faces round to a Bhikshuk. There are six other Bhikshuks, and all seem to be waiting for something. Two of them have square umbrellas; one has while hair; and the oldest is with a stick. Above these are five men on seats, one red, and the rest Bhikshuks. A white-skinned man is among the latter, and wears his hair in top-knot style. Before them are dishes; near each are one large and three small cups with flowers, and one vessels. set above another on the left, also contains flowers. Two women present flowers in vases; and a man comes in on the left, bearing a pole with water vessels. To the right, a greenish man in striped garment holds a white dish; and in front of him, another with a dish is serving the Bhikshuks. To the left are two beggars, one of whom has lost an eye; and a third red beggar has also lost an eye. Next are two women, one very fair in a sort of sack, with peaked headdress; and the other in a jacket with a child on her hip. Above is another woman, bearing something like a shield with a fringe; and on her right is a fair figure. All seem to be begging. In the foreground is a man on a pink horse, and another about to mount. To the right of the latter is a man with a basin; and two in front of him are begging.
In the scene over the window, a brown-skinned chief in a palace treats his fair wife in gauzy robe, to some sherbet; and a Persian servant in green, with an elegant jug, enters with wine A little red dwarf holds a spittoon; and a second spittoon is by the chief's side. A servant behind brings something like a dish. Two women on the left look from a window; and two women end a man on the right, stand in the verandah. On each side of the palace are bel trees; and a lady leaves the building on the left, with a woman who carries an umbrella over her head. A servant is behind them; and a reddish handmaid in full dress of blue and white, is by the side of the lady, holding her hand; while a fair man carries a bow and some bulky objects. Behind the man is a red woman with a dish of flowers; then comes another woman; and then the brown chief with an umbrella carried over his head. In the foreground two women stand near the gateway, and the porter stands outside. By the side of the gate is a plantain tree.
To the right of the window is a mountain scene; and a gigantic green-skinned chief with a magnificent head-dress was in front. Near the roof is an asoka tree, with a peafowl before it; and then perhaps a water-runnel, which a monkey approaches from behind another asoka tree. Above are two heavenly minstrels, with human busts and birds' feet and tails; one has cymbals, and the second has some other instrument. To the left is a fair cherub in the clouds with a basket over his shoulder; and three celestial damsels have cymbals and flute. Two attendants are also present, one with a sort of harp, and the other with a sword and a crown. Below are a pair of red mountaineers; and on the extreme right, two comical little sprites sit on a rock.
The frieze of the door contains eight Buddhas.-the seventh, Sakyamuni under a pipal tree, and the eighth, Maitreya with a high tiara.
On the lintel are eight compartments, each with a pair of figures treating one another to liquor. The door posts have been painted in neat patterns.
Above the right of the door are some cherubs; and below is a mendicant monk. To the right is a mountain scene, with a large royal orange-colored figure in front. and an angel and two cherubs above. Two heavenly minstrels seem to be in a cave below; and two blue peafowls are under the angel. Beneath these is a Bhil bowman crouching forward; and lower still are the heads of two figures.
Over the first window to the right is king Bimbisara seated in his palace, with his pillow behind him; his wives and a handmaid are on his right; and a begging friar is on his left. In a floor below are three women and a man; and to the right is the door and its porter. There are some men sitting in the court; and three horses and an elephant are in the stables. A doorway comes next, and then the market place; and a light colored elephant between them proceeds from the palace, and seizes a begging friar in its trunk. Over the second window, the same elephant kneels at the feet of Sakyamuni and his disciple, each of whom has an alms-bowl. Many men in the market are looking on with interest, and two behind Sakyamuni are fleeing from the elephant. Perhaps this represents the elephant Nalagiri, which was sent by Devadatta to crush Sakyamuni, but on hearing the latter's voice, it reverenced him.
On the end wall is Vaihara hill. Sakyamuni is throned in front; and many chiefs are present, two of whom have rich jewelry. Several saints with top-knot head-dresses are in the clouds; and the whole relates to a story in the life of Sakyamuni in connection with Rajagriha.
In the right jamb of the last window is Manjughosha or Minnatha of Nepal, with a jug in his left hand, and a glory surrounding him.
In the first of the two windows are a Buddha on the left jamb with his alms-bowl, and a Buddha on the other jamb with an attendant.
The ceiling of the verandah has six figures in the centre, with six arms between them; but the middle portion of the painting is gone.
The roof of the central area differs from the other roofs, by having a very large portion filled by concentric circles, decorated in various patterns, and a broad square border outside, filled with animal and other figures, among which a cock-fight and a ram-fight are prominent.
The pillars also have been painted, and the bases of some of them contain figures of lions and grotesque beings.
To the left end of the front aisle, and the left side of the cell-door, is a scene in a palace. A crowned chief sits on the right, holding a sheathed sword in his left hand, as if about to draw it with the other hand. Behind him stand a woman with a fly-flap, and another woman darker in color, but with a royal dread-dress. Before the chief, close to his left, stands a man dressed as a Brahman friar, leaning on the chief's seat with his left elbow, and holding the other hand to his chin. Behind him is a black servant with curly hair, carrying some burden on his back, which is fastened over his left shoulder. He wears long ear-rings and striped short drawers, and has a sort of foil or wand in his left hand, but is naked above the waist. To the left of him stands another chief; and an attendant behind seems to carry something. In the door at the rear is the porter; and to the right of the chief are a fly-flap, and the head of a lady with royal head-dress. A bird is drawn on the eaves of the roof; and an elephant fight is shown on the frieze above. Six ladies look out from a higher window; and one apparently in grief, points downwards. Higher again is an inscription; and below all these are crowns and portions of the heads of two persons, one of whom has a nimbus and a third eye in his forehead.
A chief sits on the right side of the cell; a dark woman behind holds the fly-flap, and another at the back of her holds the umbrella. To the right sit four men, pale and red-skinned; a green man wears moustaches and has a blue water-lily; and a red man behind is more richly dressed. The one to the right is clothed to the neck, wears stockings, and seems to speak to the chief. A fair maid-servant behind him bring a tray of flowers; and beyond her is a green servant. To the right is another green servant with a fly-flap; and a little lower are two geese on seats. On the return of the pilaster are seven more geese; and lower still a man carries two geese in his hands. Under the chief is a mountain scene to the left, containing flower plants and a lake with water-flowers and geese in it. Above is more painting.
A Buddha is seated on the front of the pilaster, dressed in red, with a glory round his head; and two Lokesvaras with fly-flaps attend him.
On the left of the first cell-door in the left aisle, a lady sits with a tiara on her head, and an attendant stands behind the seat. Another woman is seated on the return of the pilaster to the left, but is not so richly dressed; and a third stands behind her. A lake below has some lotus flowers; and by the side of it are some men and a woman.
In a painting on the right cell-door, a lady seems to have entered from a door on the left. A chief stands to the right with an attendant behind him, and takes by the hand one out of two children that are below him. Two men are above, and a round object like a shield is to the left; while two men stand talking on the right, one of whom looks like a Brahman. Behind are two horses, with three men to the right,-one having a spotted bag by his side. Below are other fragments.
Between the second and third cell-doors are two horses and a man leading them. In the foreground, two distinguished persons meet an old man with a rosary coming from a rocky hill. To the right are the heads of two horses; below them is a figure under a roof with a bush to the side of it; and lower still are some figures.
In a series of acts between the third and fourth cell-doors, an old man with bald head and prominent teeth appears four times, holding an umbrella in his hand, and apparently begging. In the upper half of the third cell-door, he seems to enter a room, and to address a wealthy man sitting by the side of his wife. Behind is another man, and the porter is to the right. Lower down, the beggar with a bag and a jug on his back, appears before a chief who has an attendant sitting at his foot, and a girl looks at, the man from the left. Lower still, a man is represented to the left, giving the beggar a water jar. At the upper right hand, a richly jewelled chief sits in a palace, with a fly-flap bearer behind, and an attendant bringing a vessel; while the beggar appears on the left seeking alms. A lady sits on the extreme right; and a child rests against the chiefs cushion. A richly jewelled man below sits to the left of a green man and to the right is another man.
In the end of the back aisle, above the side door, are many horsemen galloping, and some of them are archers. Below, on the left side, a wild man with hair on end, heaves a large stone at a great monkey lying asleep and a man appears further to the left, as if about to seize a monkey, which sits looking round, with a huge stone behind it. A. tree and a deer arc on the same side, and other animals are beyond. Beneath the sleeping monkey is another one stretching out its hands, and a man is close by. Another large monkey advances from the left, with a man behind it.
From the corner to the door of the first cell in the upper part of the back wall, is a painting in which a man of note sits under a canopy with his wife to the right. A green female on the left wears her hair in a fillet, and seems to speak earnestly to him.. Another approaches in front, holding up her hands. Behind are a green woman, and a man with a woman before him, holding something like the heads of two crocodiles. A red man to the left, bald, and with a circle on the side of his head, looks back excitedly; while in front of him, a woman presents the joined palms to the left, but looks to the right. Two men are also to the left,-one holding a mace; and near the left wall are the faces of two other figures.
Below the last scene, a chief sits in a palace with two female servants, and seems to be talking to two males in front. He is again seen lower down, sitting in a house with several female servants. A horse goes out from the gate on the left; and beyond is another horseman. An elephant is seen above, leaving the palace, and the rider holds a goad; while four soldiers march forward with shields and swords, and a chief upon an elephant is meeting them.
Between the first and second cell-doors, on the upper left side of the back wall, is a chief represented as sitting on his throne in a palace; behind him are a green fly-flap bearer and a reddish female, and beside the latter is a fair maid servant. A red man sits on a stool in front of the chief, with a cloth over his left shoulder; and to the left stand ten men dressed like Brahman beggars. In front of the beggars are two men; one carries some object and is dressed like a porter, and the other belongs perhaps to the body-guard. The man before the chief seems to speak to them, and a number of horses look out from stable windows above the heads of the beggars. In an apartment below, a red man seizes another by the waist band, who in turn lays hold of the next to the left and knocks him down. A fourth sits on the second, and three more struggle to the left. Below this is a great party coming out of the gate, with a chief on horseback overshadowed by an umbrella, and his minister riding behind him. A dozen spearmen advance in front, and two more have swords and shields and dogs. Several hills and a forest are to the left, with deer which run before the huntsmen, and with two tigers crouching in their lairs. Above, to the left, a man is sleeping in the forest with his weapon by his side, and a lion is licking his feet. A little higher up, a man sits with his sword near him, and his horse is on his left side, while a lion appears in front of him. Still higher up, a great party of horses, elephants, and spearmen proceed to the right, where flags are displayed, and women sit on the top of the palace to see the hunt; while a huge lion passes beyond them. The picture may have reference to the legend of Simha, as related in the Mahawanso. A certain king of Vengi had a daughter, Supradevi, whose mother was a princess of Kalinga. Supradevi eloped with the chief of a caravan; but he and his party were attacked by a lion, which carried her off, and hunted for her support. In course of time she bore a son, Simhabahu, and a daughter Simhasiwali. 'When the children grew up, they escaped with their mother; and the lion began to ravage the country. The king offered a large reward to any one who would kill the lion; and Simhabahu, against the wishes of his mother, accepted the offer. When the lion saw Simhabahu, it fawned upon him with delight, and was destroyed, The son of Simhabahu was Vijaya, who afterwards conquered Ceylon, and gave it the name of Sihala, from his lion ancestors.
On the left end of the antechamber is a painting in which Buddha sits in the middle in the teaching posture; two heavenly fly-flap bearers stand by his side, and above are angels on clouds bringing garlands. About sixteen bare-headed friars sit on the right; above them are three horses, on one of which is a man in an Tranian dress, with peaked cap, jerkin, and trousers. A great lady in the back ground sits on an elephant, with children and servant behind her, all making obeisance to Buddha. Two chiefs sit and make profound obeisance at Buddha's feet; and on the left side, a great chief of youthful appearance sits on a cushion and makes his obeisance among a crowd of notables. Behind him are two chiefs with smaller crowns,-the one to the right is on a cushion. To the left is another chief with a small crown; and beyond him is a Persian, with high peaked cap, short black beard, and long hair; while a jewelled chief is seated in front of him. To the left are four horsemen,-one bearded and completely clothed. Behind the whole group are two more Sassanians, and two horses with riders in the Sassanian dress and peaked caps. Two elephants are above, and a bare-headed man is on one of them, with the Sassanian ribbons at the back of his neck; while behind him, a curious looking attendant makes obeisance. On the other elephant are several Sassanians, all engaged in the same way. Three pennants are carried over their heads, and three spears with tassels attached to them are carried in front. In the back ground beyond the elephant, another fair Sassanian is carrying an umbrella. Mr. Fergusson thinks that this scene represents the embassy of Bahram Gaur (A. D. 420-440) of Persia, to the king of Malwa.
In the painting above the last, Buddha stands surrounded by four saints and two Bodhisattvas.
On the left of the shrine door, a colossal Buddha stands with his alms-bowl; and a Japanese looking lady in a doorway to the left, pushes forward a child to put alms in the bowl. In a window above is a water pot. The right end of the antechamber is painted with standing and sitting Buddhas. The right side of the lower portion represents a number of Digambaras or naked Jain friars, carrying the insects' besom, and helping forward an old fat friar. One or two wear their hair, and are clothed. On the extreme left are an elephant and a horse with two men.
On the bases of the two pillars and pilasters of the antechamber are droll figures. The right pilaster has a large face with a heavy wig, and a mouse or rat in the ear for a jewel,-the necklace bears a crab for a pendant, and a hideous face on the belly has a snake in its ear. The pillars of the antechamber have similar figures on their bases.
The lower margin to the right of the antechamber shows several small animals; and above is the top of a palace with three domes, each containing a high pinnacle and slender spires at the corners, while the balustrade has chaitya window ornaments. Higher still is a dark man presenting something white to a red man who is seated; and further to the right are some men on foot, two on horseback, a large dog, and other figures. A pool is over the second cell-door, and a man is seen apparently riding a deer. The deer appears again below with a burden; and to the right is another pool with birds and fishes.
Between the cell-doors on the left is a chief on horseback, coming out of a gate, with a servant behind carrying the umbrella. There are four other figures,- two with swords, one with spear, and a horseman beyond and they all seem to pursue a large elephant. Three spearmen in front run at full speed for the forest to the right, where two elephants appear to have seized the wild elephant by the leg. The elephant is again seen to the left, rushing off, pursued by the chief; and two men on horse-back are in front.
Above, and to the left of the last scene, is a chief seated on his throne; and behind him stand three women, one with a fly-flap. On the right are two more women, and a man sits in front on a stool. Next, on the same side, the chief stands with a number of attendants round him; and in the door to the right is the porter. Outside is the elephant; and behind it are two tame ones, housed and mounted, with three spearmen by the side of them. In the door to the right is a sort of trough on wheels, with a large vessel, which two men seem to be taking, to feed the elephant; and outside, a man carries two bundles of grass or leaves on a polo
On the right side of the second cell-door is a horseman approaching a devotee in a forest. The horse is again seen below; and the man is kneeling before the devotee, to whom another in white clothes brings a dead body, with top-knot head-dress and red waist-cloth. Below again, by the side of a hill, a devotee is carrying a man and woman in scales hung at the ends of a pole.
In the back aisle on the left of the cell-door, a monkey and an ox are in a forest. The monkey is again painted below, on the back of an ox, with its hand on its eyes.
A painting in a panel on the front of the back pilaster contained a standing female; and below and above are bands of various tints. Under the bracket is another piece of printing.
On the side of the pilaster high up, is a red female demon in the clouds, holding a man by the ankle, over her shoulder. Below is another demon; and behind is a darker demon also flying, while a fourth is to the left.
Under this painting is a tall standing man, of a dusty colour, richly jewelled, with a waist-chain holding up his short striped drawers, and with a flower in his right hand.
Over the fourth cell-door in the aisle is a palace divided into three compartments, which contain three women,-one sitting and two standing; and one of the latter is richly dressed. A reddish demon with a dagger in her hand, stands in the central compartment. A white demon sits in front, with a child in her lap; and a green woman is seated on either side. In the third compartment, the white demon has a cup, and is drinking from it; while two dark females stand behind her. A red demon below, with something like flesh falling off her right hand, is flying upwards with a white companion. Above the cell-door, to the left, two white female demons seem to pass over a hill. Their hair is streaming upwards; the front one is looking back; and each has a cup,-a red and a striped one, held in their long claws. To the right, a man is springing up below the red demon as if to strike at her, and she points her finger at him. Above and beside her are some birds,-one falling towards the hand of the man. On the gate to the left, a long necked bird sits on the roof; and inside, another bird pecks as if at something to cat. The man just mentioned has ascended the roof by a ladder; and close by is a man with a long sword, who is probably about to mount. In the palace below is an empty throne; and to the right of it, a woman and a man are seated, richly dressed. Both seem to be in grief; and about half a dozen persons sit behind them, one fully dressed and holding a rod, and another with a sword and shield. A man richly jewelled is seated to the right of the gateway. Three soldiers stand behind him, - two with straight swords and oblong shields, chequered in different patterns, and the middle soldier with a crooked Nepalese weapon. Behind the soldiers are two horses, and a red man stands holding them. A jewelled figure sits below, and a red man to the back of him. Another figure sits in front, holding up his left hand as if speaking; and a soldier with a sword in his hand stands on the right. To the right again sits a man with a string of pearls, looking with the others to the left. Further to the right stand three more soldiers with chequered shields, Nepalese swords, small waistcloths, long trains, and abundant hair tied with a ribbon.
Above, and to the right of the building containing the demons, were two figures seated on a throne, and five others seated on the ground opposite to them.
The painting above the cell-door contained a palace with three pennants flying from it on the left. A chief on his elephant, with the driver on its neck, and an attendant behind, are passing to the right; and before him are some soldiers,- two with long spears. Below is a horse with a seat in front, under which is a human face; and to the right is a royal personage, with the umbrella carried over his head. Next comes a richly jewelled man seated in a dwelling; and an old man in front of him, stands leaning on a stick, dressed like a porter. A man below, in rich striped dress, holds two horses; and a man stands in front, supplicating the seated one above. The suppliant is in a rich and variegated dress, with a splendid dark coloured scarf falling over his left shoulder; he is either slightly bald or wears a flower in his hair, and has a long straight sword. Another to the right, less richly dressed, and wearing a sword, is also in the attitude of supplication. A third figure kneels behind; and five more soldiers,- some in variegated dresses, stand to the right, in front of the horses; while a head is seen beyond.
In the lower portion of the great picture, on the extreme left, between the second and third cell-doors, a chief is shadowed by an umbrella and wears his crown. He comes on his great white elephant from a gateway hedged with spears, -some bearing pennants. A light coloured elephant is on his left; a reddish one on his right; and each rider has a sheaf of arrows. Six soldiers with swords and shields march alongside; and four mounted soldiers with spears are seen below in a boat. The three elephants with their riders are again seen in front to the right They are in boats, have umbrellas, and are engaged in battle. The chief has just shot his arrow, and others in the background are throwing spears and discs. Some have landed and are pressing the battle from the shore. The enemies,-all female demons, with long flowing hair and fair skins,-charge with the spear. Below, some of them are supplicating the chief; and above are pyramidal hills. Over the right side is a chief enthroned, and two men pouring on him the water of installation. To the right and left are fly-flap bearers; in front to the left are two men with cymbals and two with drums; on the right a man stands with clothing over his arm, another is by the side of him, and there are two more with drums. The whole probably represents the landing and coronation of Vijaya in Ceylon.
Above the cell-door is a white demon seated; her legs are apart, and she seems to be asleep, with a cup in her hand. To the right sits another demon, and beside her is a red man, part of whose entrails she has torn out and devours. Further to the right are a third and fourth demon, both with long crooked knives, the lower one holding a man by the throat and about to run the knife into him. Below is a fifth demon, holding in her right hand the crooked knife over the body of a man whose breast has been slit open, while with the left she quaffs a cup of blood. To the right is a house with a pyramidal roof, in which a man and his wife are seated; the man has a cup in his hand. On a fragment below are the portions of the heads of two richly jewelled ladies.
At the bottom of the panel between the first and second cell-doors, are two boats in the sea, each with three masts. A large fish is in front of the left boat, and below it is a larger one. There are also several pieces of coral; and the left mast of the right hand boat is finished off with a trident. A man holds a rope from the other boat, and by the side of him is the head of a sea monster Another man's head is seen to the right of it, over the boat; and then a third is seen, while further behind are two more, besides a green man. who holds the prow of the left boat, as if pushing it back. A big red man in the boat holds up his hands; and to the left, after one holds a pole. One of two red men in the water, comes out of the mouth of the dragon; and another red man is in the water, just in front of the largest fish. Below him is a white-skinned person near some shrubs.
To the right of the roof of the house above the cell-door are five women, who are for the most part looking towards a man flying to the left; and one woman stands with a child in her arms. The figures seated above are chiefly red-skinned.
To the right of the last, a great pale-skinned man sits in an interior with a ruddy wife; and their hair is bound in fillets. The wife offers him a cup, and his cloth is carried round his right knee. In the next compartment, the pair seem to be seated, and the woman passes her hand across in front of him, and up by his right ear. Below the left portion, a female demon with tusks, but otherwise comely and richly jewelled, and wearing a large chignon tied with a ribbon, sleeps on a bed. A casket is at her head, and a man with little clothing sits in front of her legs. Beyond her, a lady stands with a vessel or casket, and her husband holds out his hand for it. Another woman sits in front of the bedstead; and to the right of these, and just over the cell-door, a woman in green bodice and striped robe seems to be swinging herself on a ladder.
On the upper part of the front of the pilaster, are a lady and two maid-servants. one with a fly-flap, and the other with a tray containing a casket and other articles. Below is a chief with two servants and a dwarf.
The upper portion of the front aisle, to the left of the cell-door, has a representation of a chief and his retinue coming from the hills. The chief rides on an elephant which he drives himself. Behind him, a man in green, with a rope fastened round his waist to the seat, carries an umbrella, and is armed with sword and dagger; while persons of distinction on elephants, are on either side. Banners of various devices are carried on spears before and behind; and a drum in the clouds is beaten by a cherub. Two horses go in front, and so do two soldiers, one of whom carries a spear, and seems to be shouting, while the other beats a drum. By the side of the chief, one soldier has a shield and sword, and a second has a spear and shield. A man behind carries a pole. A small hill is on the extreme right; above are some figures; and over the cell-door is a gateway. A number of beggars to the right come in under a canopy with a small cloth fringe; one beggar has a square umbrella over his shoulder; and all pass to a lofty wooden erection. A man and woman are seated before this building, and each has a small black dish, in which perhaps some alms have been received, from a man who comes from the house, with an earthen vessel in his hands. Behind him is a green woman, also with a vessel in her left hand. A beggar sits and drinks out of a black bowl in front; and a man to the right comes in with a large open vessel on his shoulder. To the right of these is a hill.
On the left of the cell-door, and on the return of the pilaster is the story of prince Sibi. Two royal persons, among whom is Sibi on the left, sit under a tree, both with crowns and much jewelry. Below is a pond with some lotus flowers, and a hill is to the rear. Prince Sibi is seated on a throne on the end wall, and his name is written below him. To the right sit two young men with jewelry, and one looks as if he were speaking, while the other has his hands joined. A man with a jewelled head-dress sits below, resting on one hand and looking up excitedly. A man stands with a dish behind him; on the extreme right is an elephant, and in the background are two attendants. A red attendant is before the prince; the head of a richly jewelled lady, and the hilt of the state sword are seen behind; and perhaps the prince's wife sits to the left. A royal figure with high tiara comes flying from above, and the name of Indra is written on the side of it. A head like his occurs again, to the left of the princess. On the right of the cell-door is the prince on the throne, resting against a pillow. His right hand is on the front of the seat; the left is upon his eye, and beneath him is written " Sibi raja." To the right sits a lady with her left hand on her breast, and her right hand raised. She looks excitedly across to the left; and behind her, a woman presses her cloth to her face as if weeping. On the left of the prince sits a man in rich dress, perhaps Shivaka, a servant of king Sibi, with a fillet about his hair, looking ill-pleased and apparently speaking to the prince. Behind him, an old man like a beggar, with " Indra" written on his waist, is addressing the prince; and further to the rear are an ox and a horse.
On the front wall, between the end of the front aisle and the first window, is a scene in which most of the figures are clothed from head to foot. A great man on the extreme left, with an umbrella over his head, goes hunting on horseback; and another person on horseback, carrying a bow in his hand and with his hair bound in a fillet, goes before him. To the right, the first rider has alighted and places his hands in that of another. The horsekeeper holds the horse; and a red man in front points to a deer on the right. A second deer is behind, while above is a lion in its den. Above all is a chief on a tall horse, with an umbrella over his head, a quiver by his thigh, and two elephants behind him. In the background are three more horses and riders; and seven attendants are in front, three with swords, one going by the horse, one with bow and quiver, one carrying a pole, and one playing on some wind instrument. They are attended by several dogs. In the extreme right is a deer and a great car.
Between the windows is an archer drawing his bow, and his quiver is at his back. There are other figures above, and a dagoba is near the ceiling. Several deer are seen over the second window from the end, and a number of birds are on a tree. Between this and the door to the extreme right, is a chief sitting in his palace; to the left is his wife; behind stand three maids, and in front sit two men. On the left is a Brahman or beggar sitting on a stool. A woman stands in the door and looks out towards a man, who kneels in front of the steps and talks to her. To the left is a chief with tiara and umbrella. Several attendants are with him and with the man who was kneeling at the door. They approach the door of another house in which is a spotted deer; and a man inside speaks to the chief. To the left, a large spotted deer is in a kitchen, and a man sits looking at it; two men stand behind him, and one pushes a stick into a fire, on which are some large pots. Between the buildings is a scat under a canopy, and a chief is seated beside it with several attendants.
Below is a horseman near a hill to the left, and another figure is before him. Monkeys are in the background amusing themselves in front of the roof of a gateway. Further to the left is a horse's head, and that of a man with a peculiar peaked head-dress and umbrella. Still to the left is a mountain scenery, in which several deer with young ones are standing or lying.
On the left of the entrance is an interior scene. A chief without jewels appears on the left, seated on a long couch with two pillows behind him; and his young wife, whom he supports on his lap, wears a kirtle. A woman just beyond, speaks to the chief. Her hair is done up in a top-knot, and she has a receding forehead and long nose. Close by is a handmaid chafing the lady's foot, and behind her sits a maid with a breast band. A woman with a necklace and fly-flap stands at the back of the chief; beside her is one with a feather fan; and next to her is a bald-headed eunuch in full white dress. On the right, a man in white clothing brings in a basket with something in it; and in the background, another shaven-headed man with a rod talks to the eunuch.
There was a drawing below the pilaster, of a pond with lotus flowers and elephants breaking off the flowers. To the right is a high mountain with trees, and a man and woman appear to be climbing. The man has a sword in his belt, and a bow and arrow in his hand. The woman rests her hand on his shoulder, and is dressed in the thinnest gauze, with armlets, a waist band of jewels, and the hair done up with flowers. In front of them are three fly-flappers and a monkey; and above is a very large white elephant without housings. Two men with swords and bows are before it; one looks round at the elephant, and the other makes obeisance. Above to the left are other elephants; and a roan looks in at the chief a mansion.
Above the window are two figures in white; and a large light-coloured horse is between the window and the side door.
Between the window and the left end of the aisle is an elephant kneeling; and beyond it is a figure like Buddha, with another figure to the right, and four to the left. Below is a mountain, and five men are in front of it. The whole of the pillars have been painted with every variety of device. - See Kandesh Gazetteer.]
