List of Figures Acknowledgments Map Introduction I. Historical Background of Elephanta Before and After the Kalacuris The Kalacuris II. Previous Descriptions of Elephanta and Its Sculptures Early Descriptions to ca. A.D. 1800 Nineteenth-Century Descriptions of Elephanta Modern Scholarship on Elephanta III. Mythological Sources for the Elephanta Sculptures Vedic Antecedents The Epic Literature The Puranic Literature Secular Literature IV. Iconographical Analysis of the Elephanta Sculptures Ravana Shaking Mt. Kailasa Siva as Ascetic: Lakulisa Siva Dancing Siva Slaying the Demon Andhaka Marriage of Siva and Parvati Siva as Supporter of Ganga (Descent of the Ganges) Sica as Half-female Siva and Parvati on Mt. Kailasa Siva Mahadeva: Mahesamurti V. Artistic Sources and Parallels of the Elephanta Sculptures The Narrative Reliefs Siva as Ascetic: Lakulisa Siva Mahadeva: Mahesamurti VI. The Elephanta Sculptures and the Lakulisa-Pasupata Sect The Pasupata Sutra The Ganakarika Elephanta and the Ritual of the Lakulisa-Pasupatas Other Ritual Aspects at Elephanta Other Ritual Aspects at Related Monuments Conclusion Appendix A: Evidence for a Dedication Panel at Elephanta Appendix B: The Saiva Aiduka and a Motif at Elephanta Notes Bibliography Figures Index

"Collins develops a theory about the layout of the reliefs in the cave that is innovative and important, and which he makes credible, even if not absolutely conclusive, in his argument." —Walter N. Spink, University of Michigan