XXXI.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CAVE

IN THE ISLAND OF ELEPHANTA.

BY J. GOLDINGHAM, ESQ.

THE HE Elephanta Cave, which is situated in a small island in the harbour of Bombay, has deservedly attracted the attention of the curious; an elephant of black stone, large as the life, is seen near the landingplace, from which the island probably took its name: the cave is about three quarters of a mile from the beach; the path leading to it lies through a valley; the hills on either side beautifully clothed, and, except when interrupted by the dove calling to her absent mate, a solemn stillness prevails; the mind is fitted for contemplating the approaching scene.

The cave is formed in a hill of stone; its massy roof is supported by rows of columns regularly disposed, but of an order different from any in use with us; gigantic figures, in relief, are observed on the walls; these as well as the columns are shaped in the solid rock, and by artists, it would appear, possessed of some ability, unquestionably of astonishing perseverance. Several of the columns have been levelled, and the figures mutilated, as I am informed, by the Portuguese, who were at the trouble (and no small one) of dragging cannon up the hill, for the better execution of this exploit.--Destructive Superstition

* See the sketch of one of the pillars.

seeks not for merit; she commits to the flames and to destruction, members of a community most valuable, and structures doing honour to human ability!

The wall at the upper end of the cave is crowded with sculpture; the attention is first arrested by a grand bust, representing a being with three heads; the middle face is presented full, and expresses a dignified composure; the head and neck splendidly covered with ornaments. The face on the left is in profile, and the head-dress rich; in one of the hands is a flower, in the other a fruit resembling a pomegranate; a ring, like that worn by the Hindus at present, is observed on one of the wrists; the expression of the countenance by no means unpleasant. Different is the head on the right; the face is in profile, the forehead projects, the eyes stare; snakes supply the place of hair, and the representation of a human skull is conspicuous on the covering of the head; one hand grasps a monstrous Cobra de Capella (the hooded snake) the other a smaller; the whole together calculated to strike terror into the beholder. The height of this bust is about eighteen feet, and the breadth of the middle face about four; but the annexed drawing of this piece of sculpture will give a better idea of it perhaps than words.

Each side of this niche is supported by a gigantic figure leaning on a dwarf, as in the drawing.

A niche of considerable dimensions, and crowded with figures, on either side the former; in the middle of the niche, on the right, stands a gigantic figure, apparently female, but with one breast only. This figure has four arms, the foremost right hand is leaning on the head of a bull, the other grasps a Cobra de Capella, wile a circular shield is observed in the inner left hand; the head is richly ornamented; on the right

stands a male, bearing a pronged instrument, resembling a trident; on the left is a female, holding a mace or sceptre; near the principal is a beautiful youth on an elephant; above this is a figure with four heads, supported by swans or geese; and opposite is a male with four arms, mounted on the shoulders of another, having a sceptre in one of the hands. At the top of the niche small figures in different attitudes are observed, seemingly supported by clouds.

The most conspicuous of the group on the niche to the left, is a male near seventeen feet in height, with four arms; on the left stands a female about fifteen feet high. The same circular rings worn by the present Hindu women, are observed on the legs and wrists of this figure; the hair bears a like correspondence in the mode of putting it up; the countenance is peculiarly soft, and expressive of gentleness. In the back ground, a figure with four heads, supported by birds, and one with four arms on the shoulders of another, are also observed. Several smaller figures in attendance: one with the right knee bent to the ground, in the attitude of addressing the principal, bears a crese, exactly resembling that in present use. The heads of most of the small male figures have a whimsical appearance, being covered with an exact resemblance of our wigs.

On each side of these groups is a small dark room, sacred in ancient times perhaps to all but the unpolluted Brahmin; but bats, spiders, scorpions, and snakes are now in the possession.

Left of the last described group, and nearer the side of the cave, is another; a male is observed in the action of leading a female towards a majestic figure seated in the corner of the niche, his head covered like our judges on the bench; the countenance and

attitude of the female highly expressive of modesty, and a timid reluctance: a male behind urges her forward. Several smaller figures compose this group.

Curious it is to observe all the female figures having ornaments round the wrists and legs, like those worn by the Hindu women at present, while the males bearing the same correspondence, have ornaments round the wrists only.

Opposite the last niche, and fifty feet nearer the entrance, is another of equal dimensions, inclosing a figure that forcibly arrests the attention: it is a gigantic half-length of a male with eight arms; round one of the left arms a belt, composed of human heads, is seen; a right hand grasps a sword uplifted to sever a figure, seemingly kneeling (but too much mutilated to distinguish it properly) on a block, held in the correspondent left hand; a Cobra de Capella rises under one arm; among the singular decorations of the head, a human skull is observed: above are several small figures, represented in distress and pain. Many of the figures mutilated, as is the principal, whose aspect possesses a great degree of unrelenting fierceness.

Crossing to the other side of the cave, near one of the small rooms, before mentioned, a male sitting as the people of this country do at present, is observed; a female in the same posture on his left, with an attendant on either side: at the feet of the male is the figure of a bull couchant; and in each corner of the niche stands a gigantic guard. Opposite is a correspondent niche: the figures being a good deal mutilated, and the situation dark, prevent these being properly discriminated; a sitting male figure, having an attendant on either hand, is however most easily perceived.

A niche filled with figures, greatly defaced, is observed on each side the entrance. On one side is a male that had eight arms, which are all destroyed: in the back part is the figure with four arms, supported by birds; and the other figure with four heads, whimsically elevated, A large sitting figure is the principal in the opposite niche; a horse and rider in the back ground; the former caparisoned according to the present mode in this country.

On the left side and half way up the cave, is an apartment about thirty feet square, enclosing the Lingam; an entrance on the four sides; and each side of either entrance is supported by a figure seventeen feet in height, each figure ornamented differently.

The part of this surprising monument of human skill and perseverance hitherto described is generally called the Great Cave; its length is 135 feet, and breadth nearly the same. A plan accompanies this account, which, however, I cannot venture to pronounce perfectly correct, having mislaid a memorandum of particular parts which were deduced, and with sufficient correctness perhaps from the general measures preserved. But there are compartments on both sides, separated from the great cave, by large fragments of rock and loose earth, heretofore probably a part of the roof. That on the right is spacious, and contains several pieces of sculpture: the most remarkable is a large figure, the body human, but the head that of an elephant. The lingam is also enclosed here. Above each, of a line of figures standing in a dark situation, is a piece of sculpture, pointed out to me as an inscription: however (with the assistance of a torch) I found one an exact copy of the other, and with little resemblance of characters.

The compartment on the other side contains seve ral sculptures, and among the rest, a figure with an