Drum slabs at at Ratnagiri

At the site both monolithic and structural votive stupas were yielded. In the long span of time these structural stupas might have got misplaced and during excavation these slabs which formed parts of small sized stupas, made of several slabs were unearthed. Many of these drum slabs contain niches with the reliefs of Buddhist divinities. Those are discussed below:

[Drum slabs with the images of Buddha]

Drum Slab-1

(35 cm high)

The drum slab is highly decorated. At the base of its body is a visvapadma capped by a beaded line (Plate -CLXXXVII). The recessed middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garland made out of beads and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. Projected jambs of the oblong niche are relieved with halves of flowers within the beaded wavy lines. Buddha is depicted in bhumisparsha-mudra seated in vajra-prayankasana posture on a visvapadma (double petalled lotus) clad in an antarvasa and an uttarsanga which leaves his right chest, shoulder and arm bare. Behind the head is an elliptical halo.

Drum Slab-2

(31 cm high)

The drum slab presents a double petalled lotus with a beaded line at the base, beaded loops and pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and flowers in the middle and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders. Projected jambs of the oblong niche are relieved with halves of flowers within the curvature of beaded wavy lines. Buddha is depicted in bhumisparsha-mudra seated in vajraprayankasana posture on a visvapadma (double petalled lotus) and is clad in an antarvasa and an uttarsanga which leaves his right chest, shoulder and arm bare.

Drum Slab-3

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is richly carved. At the base of its body is a double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line. The recessed middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garland made out of beads and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. Projected jambs of the oblong niche are relieved with halves of flowers within wavy lines. Buddha is depicted same as in Drum Slab-2. Behind the head is a circular halo. Below the lotus seat two bowls of offerings and foliage of the lotus stem at the centre are depicted.

[Drum slabs with the images of Avalokitesvara]

Drum Slab-4

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is richly embellished. At the base of its body is a visvapadma capped by a beaded line (Plate-CLXXXVIII). The recessed middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garland made out of beads and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. Projected jambs of the oblong niche is relieved with a creeper within beaded borders, inside an image of jatamukuta Avalokitesvara is depicted in lalitasana on a double petalled lotus with his right leg resting on a lotus. On the top corners inside the niche are halves of full blown flower. Draped in a short antariya held by a plain girdle and a folded uttariya worn in an upaviti fashion and adorned with valayas, armlets, bracelets, a hara, earrings and a short crown at the base of the high jata-mukuta; the major part of the hair is tied at the centre and a few locks fall on the shoulder, his right arm is in varad-mudra placed on his knee and the left arm with a stalk of a full blown lotus rests on the seat. There is an oval halo behind his head. The image is defaced.

Drum Slab-5

(35 cm high)

The drum slab is decorated with a double petalled lotus at the base, beaded loops and pendants issuing from the kirti-mukhas in the middle and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. The frame and the lintel around the niche are relieved with halves of flowers within triangular borders of two lines (Plate-CLXXXIX). Lokesvara is depicted in lalitasana on a double petalled lotus with his right leg resting on a lotus. Draped in a short antariya held by a plain girdle and a folded uttariya worn in an upavita fashion and adorned with valayas, armlets, bracelets, a hara, earrings and a short crown at the base of the high jata-mukuta, his lower right arm is in varad-mudra placed on his knee and the upper right arm holds a rosary and the lower left arm with a stalk of a full blown lotus rests on the seat and the upper left arm is holding a pot. There is an oval halo behind his head. Below the seat is a kneeling female devotee.

Drum Slab-6

(33 cm high)

There is a plain broad band at the base and at the top of the drum slab. The drum slab is devoid of any decoration. Inside the niche around which the frame has a haze design, Jatamukuta Lokesvara is depicted in lalitasana on a double petalled lotus with his right leg resting on a lotus. Draped in a short antariya held by a plain girdle and a folded uttariya worn in an upaviti fashion and adorned with valayas, armlets, bracelets, a hara, earrings and a short crown at the base of the high mukuta, his lower right arm is in varad-mudra placed on his knee and the upper right arm holds a rosary and the lower left arm has a stalk of a full blown lotus that rests on the seat and the upper left arm is holding a pot. There is an oval halo behind his head.

Drum Slab-7

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is same as Drum Slab No-6.

Drum Slab-8

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is same as Drum Slab No-5.

Drum Slab-9

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is decorated with a double petalled lotus at the base, beaded loops and pendants issuing from the kirti-mukhas in the middle and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. The frame and the lintel around the niche are relieved with halves of flowers within triangular borders of two lines (Plate-CXC). Inside the niche with halves of flower on the either side of the frame Avalokesvara is depicted in lalitasana on a double petalled lotus with his right leg resting on the foliage of lotus stem. Draped in a short antariya held by a plain girdle and a folded uttariya worn in an upavita fashion and adorned with valayas, armlets, bracelets, a hara, earrings and a short crown at the base of the high mukuta, his lower right arm is in varad-mudra placed on his knee and the upper right arm is holding a rosary and the lower left arm with a stalk of a full blown lotus rests on the seat and the upper left arm holds a pot. Below his seat is a bowl with offerings. There is an elliptical halo behind the head.

[Drum slab with the image of Vajradharma Lokesvara]

Drum Slab-10

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is decorated with a double petalled lotus at the base followed by a beaded border, beaded loops and pendants issuing from the kirti-mukhas in the middle and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top (Plate-CXCI). The frame and the lintel around the niche are relieved with halves of flowers within triangular borders of two lines. Above the lintel is a projecting khura shaped member with a beaded line at the base and a half of a flower at the centre. Inside the niche Vajradharma Lokesvara is seated on a double petalled lotus draped in a short antariya held by a plain girdle and a folded uttariya worn in an upaviti fashion and adorned with valayas, armlets, bracelets, a hara, earrings and a high conical mukuta. With his right palm he is opening the petals of a lotus, the stalk of which is held by his left palm. Behind his head is an oval halo.

Drum slab bearing the image of Jambal

Drum Slab-11

(33 cm high)

At the base of the drum slab there is a plain broad band. The drum slab is devoid of any decoration (Plate-CXCII). Inside the niche with a plain oblong frame around it, Jambal is seated in lalitasana posture on a visvapadma. Jambal is depicted with a small crown around his head; his right palm with a citron resting on the knee and with his left arm he presses a mongoose disgorging jewels. Clad in an antariya held by a plain girdle and decked with anklets, necklace, beaded armlet and kundala in the right ear and ear studs in the left ear. Below the lotus seat three nidhi-khumbhas are placed. There is a circular halo behind his head. The top corners of the niche are decorated with halves of full blown flower.

[Drum slab bearing the image of Arapachana]

Drum Slab-12

(37 cm high)

The drum slab is decorated with a double petalled lotus at the base followed by a beaded border, beaded loops and pendants issuing from the kirti-mukhas in the middle and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top (Plate-CXCIII). The frame and the lintel around the niche are relieved with halves of flowers within triangular borders of two lines. Above the lintel is a projecting khura shaped member with a beaded line at the base and a half of a flower at the centre. Inside the niche with a plain arched frame image of Arapachana (?) is carved with a circular halo behind his head. He is decked in valayas, necklace of pendants, beaded armlet and kundala in the right ear and ear studs in the left ear and a high conical crown and is seated in vajraparyankasana posture on a double petalled lotus. Draped in an antariya and a folded uttariya, worn in an upavita fashion, in his left hand he carries a book held against the chest and in the right hand a sword raised above the head.

[Drum slab bearing the images of Tara]

Drum Slab-13

(28 cm high)

At the base of the drum slab there is a plain band. The projected part of the drum contains an oblong niche around it is a frame designed with leaves and creepers (Plate-CXCV). Tara is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a smaller lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala that rests on the seat, clothed in a sati held by a girdle she is decked in hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles. The bun shaped coiffure is tied on the top of the head and around it is a short crown. Below the visvapadma there are a bowl of offerings, a conch and a kneeling lady with folded hands. Behind her head is a circular halo.

Drum Slab-14

(31 cm high)

At the base of the drum slab there is a plain band and a band at the top. The projected part of the drum contains an oblong niche around it is a frame designed with halves of full blown flowers within wavy lines. Tara is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a smaller lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra, on the back a full blown lotus is depicted and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala that rests on the seat; clothed in a sati held by a girdle she is decked in hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles. The bun shaped coiffure is tied on the top of the head and around it is a short crown. Below the visva padma there are a kneeling devotee with folded hands, two bowls of offerings and an incense burner. Behind her head is an oval halo.

Drum Slab-15

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is richly embellished. At the base of its body is a visvapadma capped by a beaded line. The recessed middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garland made out of beads and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. Projected jambs of the oblong niche are relieved halves of flowers within the wavy lines. Tara with circular halo behind her head is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a smaller lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala, rests on the seat, clothed in a sati held by a girdle, decked in hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles. The bun shaped coiffure is tied on the top of the head and around it is a short crown. Below the visva padma there are bowl of offering and an incense burner.

Drum Slab-16

(33 cm high)

At the base of the drum slab there is a plain band and a facet at the base and a band at the top. The projected part of the drum contains an oblong niche around it which is devoid of decorations. Tara decked in hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a smaller lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala, rests on the seat she is clothed in a sati held by a girdle. The bun shaped coiffure is tied on the top of the head and around it is a short crown. Below the visvapadma there are two bowls of offerings and an incense burner. Behind her head is a circular halo.

Drum Slab-17

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is richly embellished. At the base of its body is a visvapadma capped by a beaded line (Plate-CXCVI). The recessed middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garland made out of beads and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. Tara with an elliptical halo behind her head is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a smaller lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala, rests on the seat, clothed in a sati held by a girdle she is decked in hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles. The bun shaped coiffure is tied on the top of the head and around it is a short crown. Below the visvapadma there are bowl of offering, a conch and a kneeling devotee with folded hands. Above the image there is a semicircular dangler hanging at the centre and on the either sides two lamps are hanging down.

Drum Slab-18

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is same as Drum Slab No. 15.

Drum Slab-19

(28 cm high)

At the base of the drum slab there is a plain band at the base. The projected part of the drum contains an oblong niche, around which is a plain frame. Tara, decked in hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a smaller lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala, rests on the seat she is clothed in a sati held by a girdle. There is a short crown around the bun shaped coiffure. Below the visvapadma there are two bowls of offerings and a kneeling female devotee with folded hands. Behind her head is a circular halo.

Drum Slab-20

(33 cm high)

At the base of the drum slab there is a plain band at the base and a band at the top. The projected part of the drum contains an oblong niche, around which is a frame carved with halves of flowers within triangles. Tara is depicted in her usual jewels and attributes. Behind her head is an elliptical halo.

[Drum slab bearing the image of Arya-Sarasvati]

Drum Slab-21

(35 cm high)

The drum slab is richly carved. At the base of its body is a visvapadma capped by a beaded line (Plate-CXCVII). The recessed middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garland made out of beads and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. The niche is relieved with halves of flowers within the wavy lines and the projected jamb carved with a row of cones with two bands at the base and the top followed by a beaded line above it at the centre a man is seated in maharajalilasana holding a flower with his left arm and the right resting on the seat. Inside the niche Arya-Sarasvati is seated in vajraparyankasana posture on a visva-padma carrying a stalk of a lotus supporting a book with the left arm and the right palm in varad-mudra resting on her right thigh. Clothed in a sati held by a girdle and a diaphanous uttariya worn in an upaviti fashion; she is decked in bangles, armlets, beaded upavita, a beaded hara, earrings and a short crown. On the either side of the niche on the top halves of a three petalled flower are depicted and on the right hand side of the goddess is a full blown lotus whose stalk is coming out from the foliage of stem from below her seat.

[Drum slab bearing the images of Marichi]

Drum Slab-22

(35 cm high)

The drum slab is richly carved. At the base of its body is a double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line. The recessed middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garland made out of beads and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top (Plate-CXCVIII). Projected jambs of the oblong niche are relieved halves of flowers within wavy lines. In the middle of the sloping part of the lintel of the frame is a halfflower motif. Six-armed Marichi stands in pratyalidha attitude on a chariot drawn by seven horses. Between her legs is a female charioteer with her right hand raised in the attitude of whipping and the left hand holding the reins. In the right hands are needle, an arrow and a thunderbolt. Her principal left hand is in tarjani-mudra, rests against her chest, the other two hands are holding the twig of an asoka tree and a bow. Draped in a long sati held by a girdle the goddess is decked in anklets, valayas, bangles, braclets and armlets, a beaded hara, an upavita and ear rings. The hair is arranged in a bun on the top with a short crown. All the three faces are smiling.

Drum Slab-23

(39 cm high)

The drum slab presents a double petalled lotus with a beaded line at the base, beaded loops and pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and flowers in the middle and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. Projected jambs of the oblong niche are relieved with halves of flowers within the curvature of beaded wavy lines. Three headed and six-armed Marichi is carved inside the niche, is standing in the pratyalidha posture on a visvapadma below which are three pigs. Between the legs is a half flower motif. The left head of the goddess is sow-like, while the right is human like displaying an melovalent expression. Draped in a long sati held by a girdle the goddess is decked in anklets, valayas, bangles, bracelets and armlets, a beaded hara, an upavita and ear rings. The hair is arranged in a bun on the top with a short crown. Her right hands hold a needle, arrow and thunderbolt. Her principle left arm is in tarjani-mudra, resting against her chest, the other two hands are holding the twig of an asoka tree and a bow. Behind the head is an oval halo. The left hand side corner of the niche is decorated with a half of a flower.

Drum Slab-24 (31cm high)

The drum slab is richly carved. At the base of its body is a double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line. The recessed middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garland made out of beads and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top. Projected jambs of the oblong niche are relieved beaded border with a full blown lotus at the centre of the lintel. Six-armed Marichi stands in pratyalidha attitude on a chariot drawn by seven horses. In the right hands are needle, an arrow and a thunderbolt. Her natural left hand is in tarjani-mudra, rests against her chest, the other two hands are holding the twig of an asoka tree and a bow. Draped in a long sati held by a girdle the goddess is decked in anklets, valayas, bangles, braclets and armlets, a beaded hara, an upavita and ear rings. The hair is arranged in a bun on the top with a short crown. Behind her head is an oval halo.

Drum Slab-25

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is same as Drum Slab No. 24 except for there are five pigs depicted below.

Drum Slab-26

(33 cm high)

The drum slab is same as Drum Slab No. 24 except for there are three pigs depicted below.

[Drum slab bearing the image of Chunda (?)]

Drum Slab-27

(26.7 cm high)

The drum slab is decorated with a double petalled lotus at the base capped by a beaded line, beaded loops and pendants issuing from the kirti-mukhas in the middle and a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders at the top (Plate-CXCIX). The frame and the lintel around the niche are relieved with halves of flowers within triangular borders of two lines and on the centre of the sloping part is a half flower motif. Inside the niche goddess (Chunda?), decked in hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles is seated in the vajra-paryankasana attitude on a double petalled lotus; her lower two hands are in dhyana-mudra resting on the lap and a bowl is placed on it. In her raised upper right hand is a rosary; while in the upper left hand are the stalk of a full blown lotus and a water pot. The bun shaped coiffure is tied on the top of the head. Goddess has a charming smile.

[Drum slab bearing the image of a two-armed goddess]

Drum Slab-28

(33 cm high)

At the base of the drum slab there is a plain broad band. The drum slab is devoid of any decoration. Inside the niche with a plain frame around it the two armed Goddess is seated in vajraparyankasana attitude on a double petalled lotus (Plate-CC). The right hand is in varad-mudra and with the left hand she is holding a sword upside down and the point is touching the ground. On the top corners inside the niche are halves of full blown flower