the upper halves of these walls were embellished with a motif of sparkly purple and red flowers , while the ceiling above was painted in an allegory which bespoke of a popular lore of this world , wherein the hero kirtirath , depicted in the form of a lofty powerful figure , was being handed over the greatly coveted madira flower by the gods , after he had won it for the nether world in a game of magical pebbles , defeating vir ras , that celebrated specter of the higher realms , who was portrayed in the fable as a dwarf kneeling in supplication at kirtiraths feet .