HINDU ART
In Soobandhu's prose romance, Vasavadatta (sixth century A.C.), there is a description of the Vindhya mountain. One of the objects mentioned is the lion "with his sinewy frame, now rising high behind and now before." And the author is at once led to think of the scene as a possible theme of painting. Thus,
"His ears erect, in sudden onslaught skilled,
His mane astart, and jaws all hideous,
His stiffened tail high-waving in the breeze—
No artist could portray this awful beast
What time he croucheth on the mighty brow
Of some great elephant, shrill trumpeting
Adown the lonely dells of Vindhya's mount."
(Gray's version.)
Painting was an accomplishment of the literary women. The box of
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