Page:South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses.djvu/286

 The Mayamata, speaking of pedestals in general, says that they are triangular, half-moon-shaped, square or circular (P). 1 Nine pedestals (plthas) are mentioned by name, viz., bhadra- pitha, vajrapitha, padmapitha, mdhdmbuja (the big lotus), srikara, pithapadma, mahdvajra, saumyaka, and sriMmya. Of these, the first and the third are pictured on the accompany- ing Plate I, as Nos. 13 and 12. No. 16 on the same Plate, perhaps, represents mahdmbuja.

The postures, symbols and weapons of images differ according as the image is conceived to be either in a fighting attitude or as bestowing bliss and knowledge on its worship- pers. Sometimes, even though the weapons of war are exhibited in the hands of an image, it may yet be considered peaceful if it only shows the positions of the hands known as abhaya and varada. The posture, sukhdsana, in a seated image (Plate I, No. 14) and the posture samapddasthdnaka in a standing image (Plate II, No. 4) are generally adopted in conferring bliss, just as the position of the hands abhaya (Plate IV, No. 7) and varada (Plate III, No. 23) indicate the same. The dlidha '* (Plate II, Nos. 5 and 6) and the utkatika 3 postures (Plate I, No. 15) denote respectively the heroic attitude in actual fighting and the angry mood that imme- diately follows it. The padmdsana (Plate I, No. 16) and the ydgdsana (Plate II, No. l) postures show either the medi- tative or the teaching attitude. The position of the legs (Plate II, Nos. 2 and 3) adopted in the case of the standing images of Gopala and Nataraja show not only a graceful and artistic attitude but, evidently, also indicate the ecstasy of joy. It may be noted that in all figures of gods and god- desses standing in any position, the ideal beauty is recog- nized to consist in the three bhangas (bends) which according to the Silpasangraha are dbhanga (slight bend), samabhanga (medium bend) and atibhanga (great bend). Each of these three bends may be found separately or together in one and the same image. 4

1 According to the Prayogaratna the nine Planets are to be seated on circular, quadrilateral, triangular, arrow-shaped, rectangular, pentagonal, bow- shaped, winnow-shaped and flag-shaped pedestals.

2 The alldha posture is assumed generally in drawing the bow and dis- charging the arrow.

3 There is reason to suppose that the posture known as virasana wherein one leg has to be placed on the other so as to rest on that thigh, is sometimes substi- tuted for utkatika. Perhaps they are synonymous.

4 See South Indian Bronzes by O. C. Gangoly, p. 401 f. The .Silpasangraha describing a particular torm of Kama states that it consists of three bhangas or bends, the face slightly leaning to the right, the middle of the body to the left and the portion below the waist, again, to the right.