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ELEMENTS OF HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
ELEMENTS
OF
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY
BY
Vol. I— Part I.
1914
By
HIS HIGHNESS' S HUMBLE SERVANT
THE AUTHOR.
PEEFACE.
vu
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
VUl
PEEFAOB.
IX
II
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
" It is remarkable that, with all the present day
" activity in every branch of Sanskrit research, so
" very httle has been done for the illustration of
" mythology, which is so intimately connected with
" the whole literature. It would be a legitimate part
" of the duty of the Archaelogical Surveys to collect
" materials on a systematic plan for this object
" and the production of illustrations has now become
" so easy and inexpensive that photographs from
" original materials of a satisfactory class might
" readily be published to supply this mostpressing
" desideratum. The details of the emblems and
" symbols of the numerous divinities of the
" pantheon could also be collected, along with the
" delineations, by those familiar with such symbols.
" All this could easily be accomplished, and it is
xi
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
xu
PREFACE.
xiii
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
XIV
PEEFAOE.
XV
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
T. A. G.
Teiplicane, Madras. )
September, 1914. )
xvu
III
CONTENTS.
PAGES.
Preface ... ... ... ... vii — xvii
General Introduction ... ... ... 1 — 59
Explanatory description of certain technical terms. 1 — 32
Ganapati .. ... ... ... 36 — 67
Vishnu ... ... ... ... 69—279
(a) Dhruva-beras or Fixed Images ... 71 — 115
{b) Dasavataras or the Ten Incarnations of
Vishnu ... ... ... 117—223
(c) Chaturvimsati-miirtayah ... ... 225 — 244
W) Minor Forms of Vishriu :— ... 245—279
Purusha, Kapila, Yajfiamurti, Vyasa,
Dhanvantarin, Dattatreya, Hari-bara-
pitamaha, Vaikuritha, Trailokya-mohana
Ananta, Visvarupa, Lakshmi-Naraya^a,
Hayagriva, Adimurti, Jalasayin, Dharma,
Varadaraja, Rahganatha, Venkatesa,
Vithoba, Jagannatha, Nara-Naraya^a,
and Manmatha.
Garuda and Ayudha-purushas ... ... 281 — 296
Adityas, including the Nava-grahas ... ... 297 — 323
Devi:— ... ... ... ... 325—400
Srichakra, Devi, Durga, Nilakanthi, Kshemankari,
Harasiddhi, Eudramsa-Durga, Vana-Darga,
Agni-Durga, Jaya-Durga, Vindhyavasi
XIX
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
PAGES.
Durga, Eipumari-Durga, Mahishasura-
marddani or Katyayani, Ghandika, Nanda,
Nava-Durgas, Bhadrakali, Mahakali,
Amba, Ambika, Mangala, Sarvamangala,
Kalaratri, Lalita, Gaurl, Uma, Parvati,
Eambha, Totala, Tripura, the eight Dvara-
palakas of the Gaurl temple, Bhutamata,
Yoganidra, Vama, Jyeshtha, Eaudri, Kali,
Kalavikarnika, Balavikarnika, Balaprama-
thani, Sarvabhutadamani, Manonmani,
Varuril-Chamarida, Eakta-Chamunda,
Sivaduti, Yogesvari, Bhairavl, Tripura-
Bhau-avi, Siva, Kirti, Siddhi, Eiddhi,
Kshama, Dipti, Eati, Svefca, Bhadra, Jaya,
Vijaya, Kali, Ghantakarni, Jayanti, Diti,
Arundhati, Aparajita, Surabhi, Krishria,
Indrakshi, Annapiarna, Tulasidevi, Asvarii-
dhadevi, Bhuvanesvari, Bala, Eajamatarigi,
Lakshmi, Sri, Mahalakshmi, Bbumidevi,
Saraswati, Sapta-matrikas and Jyeshthadevi.
Appendix A —A description of the plan and of the
disposition of parivdradevatas in a Vishnu
temple of seven a-yanlnas ... ... 1—45
Appendix B— A detailed description of the
Uttama-dasa-idla measure to be used in the
making of images ... ... 1 — 7]
Appendix C — Sanskrit Texts relied upon for the
description of the images ... ... 1 — 160
XX
LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS.*
Tiruvottiyur. ... 45
Trimurti with Vishnu as the central figure,
Nagalapuram ... 45
I- —Weapons held by images ... 4
II- Do. ... 6
by images
III- -Other objects held ... 8
IV- •Headgears and ornaments of images ... 12
V- -Hand-poses of images ... 14
VI- -Seats of images ... 18
VII- -Head-gears and hair knots of images ... 28
VIII- Do. ... 29
IX- Do. ... 32
XXI
HINDU ICONOGBAPHY.
PAGES.
Durga, Eipumari-Durga, Mahishasura-
marddani or Katyayani, Chandika, Nanda,
Nava-Durgas, Bhadrakali, Mahakali,
Amba, Ambika, Mangala, Sarvamangala,
Kalaratrl, Lalita, Gauri, Uma, Parvati,
Eambha, Totala, Tripura, the eight Dvara-
palakas of the Gauri temple, Bhutamata,
Yoganidra, Varna, Jyeshtha, Eaudri, Kali,
Kalavikarnika, Balavikarnika, Balaprama-
thani, Sarvabhutadamani, Manonmani,
Varurii-Ghamunda, Eakta-Charounda,
Sivaduti, Yogas vari, Bhairavi, Tripura
Bhairavi, Siva, Kirti, Siddhi, Eiddhi,
Kshama, Dipti, Eati, Sveta, Bhadra, Jaya,
Vijaya, Kali, Ghantakarni, Jayanti, Diti,
Arundhati, Aparajita, Surabhi, Krishija,
Icdrakshi, AnDapiJirna, Tulasidevi, Asvarii-
dhadevi, Bhuvanelvari, Bala, Eaiamatangi,
Lakshmi, Sri, Mahalakshmi, Bhiimidevi,
Saraswati, Sapta-mafcrikas and Jyashthadevi.
Appendix A —A description of the plan and of the
disposition of parivaradevatds in a Vishnu
temple of seven fwarore as ... ... 1 —45
Appendix B— A detailed description of the
Uttama-dasa-tdla measure to be used in the
making of images ... ... 1 — 71
Appendix C — Sanskrit Texts relied upon for the
description of the images ... ... 1 — 160
xs
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.*
Tiruvottiyur. ... 45
Trimurti with Viabnu as the central figure,
Nagalapuram ... 45
I — Weapons held by images ... 4
II— Do. ... 6
— Other objects held by images
III ... 8
IV — Headgears and ornaments images ot ... 12
V — Hand-poses images of ... 14
VI — Seats imagesof ... 18
VII — Head-gears and hair knots images of ... 28
VIII— Do. ... 29
IX— Do. ... 32
I, M,=India Museum. The photographs and drawings which are not followed
XXI
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
PLATE TO PACE PAGE.
X — Fig. 1. Unmatfea-uohohhishta-Ganapati, Ka-
ladi. " 49
X— Fig. 2. Kevala-Ganapati, Tiivandram (T.S.A.). 49
XI— Fig. 1. Laljshmi-Ganapati, Tenkasi (A.S.M.)... 53
XI— Uchchhisbta-Ganapati, Kumbhakonam
Fig, 2. 53
XII — do. Nanjangodu ... 54
XIII — Heramba-Ganapati, front view, Negapafcam
(A. S. M.) ... 56
XIV— Do. (A.S.M.) ...
back view. 57
XV — Fig. 1. Prasanna-Ganapati, P a 1 1 1 s varam
(A.S.M.) ... 58
XV— Fig. 2. Trivaadram
Do. (T. S. A.) ... 58
XVI— Nritta-Ganapati, Halebidu ... 59
XVII — MadhyamaYogastliaDakamurti, Mahabalipuram 80
XVIII— Bhogastbaaakamurti, Madras Museum ... 81
XIX — Adhama Bhogasfcbanakamiirti, Tiruvottiyfir. . 82
XX— Bhogasthaaakamurtii, Tadpafcri (A. S. M.) ... 83
XXI — Sfcbaaakamiirci, Mafchura Museum (A. S. I.)... Between
pages 84 and 85
XXII — Bbogastbanakamurti, Madras Museum ... 84-85
XXIII--MadhyamaBhogaathanakamiarti, Madras Mu-
seum 84-85
XXIV— Yogasanamurti, Bagali (A. S. M.) ... 87
XXV — Bhogasanamiirti, Badami ... 88
XXVI — Madhyama Bh6ga?anamurti, Conjeevaram
Between pages 88 and 89
XXVII— Do Ellora ... 88-89
XXVIII— Bbogasanamurti, Dadikkombu (A. S. M.) ... 88-89
XXIX— Fig. 1. Do. Trivandram (T. S. A.) ... 90
XXIX— Fig, 2. Yogasayanamiirti, Trivandram (T.S.A.) 90
XXX— AdbamaVirasanamurti; Aibole (A.S.Bo.) ... 88-89
XXXI — Madbyama Yogasayanamuirti, M ah aba 1 i-
puram ... 91
XXXII — Madhyama Bhogasayanamiirti, D e o g a r h,
(I.M.) ... no
xxu
LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS.
xxui
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY,
PLATE TO FACE PAGE,
LIV— Eaghu-Eama, Shermadevi, (A.S.M.) ... 189
LV— Do. Eamesvaram, (A.S.M.) ... 193
LVI— Do. Mahabalipuram ... 191
LVII— Do. (T.SA.) ... 195
LVIII^Kriahna and Rukmini, Madras Museum ... 205
LIX— Do. Shermadevi, (A.S.M.),.. 206
LX — Fig. 1, Navanita-nrittamurti, Madras
Museum ... 206
LX— Fig. 2, Do. Madras
Museum ... 206
LXI— Gana-Gopala, Halebidu ... 208
LXII— Fig. 1. Gana-Gopala, (T.
S, A.) ... 209
LXII— Fig. 2, Do. S. M.)
(A. , ... 209
LXIII— Madana-Gopala, Tenliasi ... 210
LXIV— Kaliyahimardaka Krishna, Madras Museum. 213
LXV— Govarddhana-dhara Krishna,
'
Nuggehalli,
.'..
(A. S. My.) 2U
LXVI— Do, Halebidu ... 214
LXVIT— Fig. 1, Balakrishna ... 215
LXVII— Fig. 2, Do. ... 215
LXVII — Fig. 3, Vatapatrasayin ... 215
LXVIII— Buddha, Borobudor, (Dr. A,K., Thcosophist). 221
LXIX — ChennakesavasvamiD, Beliir ... 228
LXX— Fig. 1, Madhava, Belur ... 229
LXX — Fig. 2, Govinda, Belijr ... 229
LXX — Fig. 3, Madhusiidana, Beliir ... 229
LXXI— Fig. 1, Hari, Beliir ... 231
LXX I— Fig. 2, Sri Krishna, BeliJr ... 231
LXXII— Fig, 1, Hari-hara-pitamaha, Halebidu ... 252
LXXII— Fig. 2, Dattatreya (A. S, Bo,; ... 252
LXXIII — Dattatreya, Badami ... 254
LXXIV — Hari-hara-pitamaha, Ajmere, Eajaputana
Museum _ _ 253
LXXV — Vaikuritbanatha, Badami ... 256
XXIV
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
sxy
IV
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
PLATE TO FACE PAGE.
XOVI— The Nava-Grahaa, Suryanarkoyil, (A. S.
M.) ... 323
XOVII— Sricbakra ... 330
XCVIII— Do. Sringeri Hatha ... 331
XCIX— Fig. 1. Durga, Opakkur ... 341
XOIX— Fig. 2.Do. Mahabalipuram ... 341
C— Durga, Mahabalipuram ... 342
—
01 Durga panel, Mahabalipuram ... 343
—
Oil Fig. ]. Katyayani or Mahisbasura-marddani,
Madras Museum . . 344
Oil— Fig. 2. Durga, Conjeevaram ... 344
—
OIII Katyayani or Mahisbasura-marddani, Gah-
gaikondasolapuram, (A. S. M.) ... 345
OIV— Do. BUora, (A.S.Bo.) ... 345
CV— Do. Mahabalipuram ... 347
OVI — Standing figure Bhadrakali,
of Tiruppalat-
turai, (A. S. M.) ... 357
CVII— Fig, 1. Mahakali, Madeyiir ... 358
CVII— Fig. 2. Do. Madras Museum ... 358
CVIII— Fig. 1. Parvatii, BUora ... 360
OVIII— Fig. 2. AnnapiJrna, Trivandram, (T S. A.) ... 360
—
OIX Sridevi, Mahabalipuram ... 372
OX— Do. BUora, (A. S. Bo.) ... 373
CXI -Fig. 1. Lakshmi, Madeyijr ... 37.3
OXI— Fig. 2. Sridevi, Trivandram, (T.S.A.) ... 373
CXII— KoUapnra Mahalakshmi ... 375
CXIII.— Sarasvati, Gadag (A. S. Bo.) ... 377
—
CXIV. Sarasvati, Garigaikondaaolapuram (AS.M.)... 377
CXV.— Sarasvati, Bagali (A.S.M.) ... 377
OXVI. —Fig. 1. Sarasvati with a Vina, Halebidu ... 377
CXYI.—Fig. 2. Sarasvati dancing, Halebidu ... 377
GXVII.— Fig. 1, s'aradadevi, Trivandram ... 378
QXVII.— Fig. 2. Varahi and Vaishnavi. Tirunandi-
kkarai ... 379
CXYIII.— Fig. 1. The Saptamatvika Group, BUora ... 383
<cxvi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
XXIX
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
In the Karttari -hasta pose the arm is lifted so that the middle
finger of the hand reaches to the height of
Karttari-liasta. ,, ,.,,.., ,, • ^ n , .,
the hikka-sutra ; the ring-nnger and the
thumb are bent so as to meet near the middle of the palm of the
hand ; the last or the smallest finger is also slightly bent ; the
fore-finger and the middle finger are stretched out and kept like
the legs of the lette r V. The palm of the hand faces the outside.
This pose of the hand is meant for holding the Mi'ikha, chakra
and other weapons.'' (See Pis. XX and XXII).
Chhannavira is an ornament which may be rightly called
a double vajnopavHa. In this, two yajnopa-
Chnannavira. .. ,, ,, , .
XXXI
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
XXX 11
ADDENDA AND COEEIGENDA.
Page 249 —Line f.n.5. For madhyandinasvanaread madhyandina-
savana.
„ 249— For fcritiyasvana read tritiyasavana.
For XXVII read LXXVII.
For Damhodhava read Dambhodbhava.
For Narayana to read Narayana are to.
For anxiously forward read anxiously
looking forward.
Omit of.
For latter read later.
For two other read other two.
For his read its.
For PL LXXXVI read PI. LXXXV-A.
For iconoclastic read iconoplastic.
For is more read is a more.
For suprabhedagama read Suprabheda-
gama.
For PI. LXXXVIII read PI. LXXXVII.
For PI. CIV read PI. XCIV.
PI. XGVIII. For Srichakara and Pleti
Sringari read Srichakra and Plate :
Srmgeri.
from below. For central and read central
shrine and.
For of ten read often.
For of person read of the person.
Omit fuU-stop after desired.
Omit so.
For consort read consorts.
For Sita was read SIta is.
For conferor read conferrer.
For Markandeya read by Markandeya.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
'
4
INTRODUCTION.
developement.
II.
9
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
10
PLATE A.
"Uf uy ly mm Uf
^ fl: 4T
e
5IT f?t
e
3T
i|^
111
sn
e
t^
3 m :n
G
111 Jti jh JTi m
YantRAS.
burnt ones, very red ones, ill looking ones, and those with a
11
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
12
INTRODUCTION.
Birds.
pious Hindu happens to see one
of these birds hovering in the sky, he invariably
offers obeisance to it. It is considered to be a
very good omen, if one of these birds happens to
13
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
14
INTEODUCTION.
popular
"^
Hinduism. The asvatiha
Trees. "^
Sepulchres of
^hc sepulchre of saints. Places
saints,
hallowed by the presence of such
15
HINDU ICONOGBAPHY.
16
INTEODUCTION
III.
(^i^jrT^Rt^H^irt)
17
INTEODUCTION.
^^ II
18
INTRODUCTION.
19
INTRODUCTION.
20
INTRODUCTION.
IV
Various kinds of places are prescribed for the
building of temples to the several gods ; different
forms of central shrines are also described in the
agamas^' as suitable for different deities, according
as their posture is standing, seated or reclining.
Temples might be built near tanks, rivers, at
21
INTKODUCTION.
corner of a village ; that of Vishnu, in the west
of Surya, in the east of the village and facing the
west ; of Durga, in the south ; of Subrahmanya, in
images of Vishnu.
The sayana form of Vishnu may have its
22
INTEODUCTION.
V.
23
INTRODUCTION.
25
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
VI.
To the Hindu, the omnipresent God, who is
26
INTEODUCTION.
27
INTEODUCTION.
VII.
29
HINDU IGONOGEAPHY.
30
INTRODUCTION.
31
INTRODUCTION.
32
PLATE B.
a
P
ic3
-a
c3
J4
c3
VIII.
If one studies the sculpture of India from the
historic point of view, he cannot
33
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
34
INTEODUOTION.
35
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
36
PLATE C.
a
a
o
00
n
a
^^ raff§^ iil^E^S?
:_.gat *4
'^
We ara informed by Mr. Abanindranafch Tagore that
37
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
IX.
It is an interesting phenomenon to note that
there are vicissitudes in what may
Vicissitudes in be Called the fortune of images as
the Mstory of i
•
a •
38
INTEODUGTION.
39
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
40
INTRODUCTION.
X.
41
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
42
PLATE D.
really represents.
A similar occurrence may be seen in relation
to the names Chidambaresvara and Chitsabhesa.
These names have also come into vogue as the result
of the Sanskritisation of a distinctly Tamil word.
The oldname of the place in which the temple of
Gradually '
the small temple '
grew in isize by the
43
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
44
PLATE F.
a
o
3
INTEODUCTION.
45
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
XI.
*6
INTEODUOTION.
XII.
47
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
treatise.
XIII.
The materials recommended in the agamas
for the making of images are wood,
Materials em- .
48
INTRODUCTION,
49
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
60
INTBODUCTION.
*
' ghanam-aga elundaruluvitta Chandesvara-prasdda-
devar,' that is, the god Chandesvara-prasada-deva cast solid
51
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
XIV.
The images in the central shrines, the dliru va-
herafi, whether made of stone or
52
INTEODUOTION.
53
HINDU lOONOQRAPHY.
XV.
54
INTEODUOTION.
XVI.
The Sanskrit authorities relied upon in this
work are mainly the Agamas, the
au^Wti'Sed P^^rmas, and the early Vedic_and
*^'^ Upanishadic writings.
w^rk,
'"^
The Aga-
mas and the Tantras do not appear
to have received much attention from modern
56
INTRODUCTION.
57
H
HINDU ICONOGKAPHY.
58
INTRODUCTION.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Fig. i
Pig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 5
Fig. 9 Fig. 10
To face page 4.
DEFINITION AND DESCEIPTION OF TEEMS.
Pig. 9 Fig. 14
Pig. 12
Pig. 13
To face page 6.
DEFINITION AND DESCEIPTION OF TEEMS.
8
PLATE III.
Fig. 3
Pig. 2 Fig. 16
Fig. i
Fig. 6
Fig. 15
Fig. 1
Fig. 5
Fig. 7
Fig. 12 Fig. 19
Fig. 18 Fig. 17
I
Fig. 10 Fig. 11
To face page
DEFINITION AND DESOBIPTION OF TEEMS.
1 and 2.)
10
DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION OP TERMS.
11
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
12
PLATE IV
Fig. 17
13
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
14
PLATE V.
Fig. 2
Pig. I Pig. 3 Pig. 7 Pig.
Fig. i Pig. S Pig
Pig. 17 Pig. 16
15
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
16
DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION OF TERMS.
17
HINDU IGONOGEAPHY.
and the left big toes are caught hold of by the right
and the left hands respectively. In the simhasana
the legs are crossed as in the kurmasana ; and the
palms of the hands, with the fingers kept stretched
out, rest supinely upon the thigh, while the mouth
is kept open and the eyes are fixed upon the tip of
the nose.*
W^ ffir-ii^ T^ ?^ ^^
I ^u"^2rr cRsTm vf^Rnrrr^rTfH, n
18
PLATE VI.
Fig. 1
»''.^R^SA^I^- (^E.LLORA-5
Pig. 2
Pig. 4
Pig. 3
.1 ,
„^ ., ,1, .. . -
I
I
ii . i (.^nu i .. in m i
).| m |
,i ii i i m»mMm Ji ^l 'ii 'mimmRi.J B »twui ^
Pig. 5 Pig. 6
19
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
20
DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION OF TERMS.
the oval shape proper for a mirror (PI. IV, fig. 7).
21
HINDU IGONOGEAPHY.
22
DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION OF TERMS.
23
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
24
DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION OF TERMS
25
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
f^cTRI^ ^m 5r?TiT^3fl73T^q; II
26
DEFINITION AND DBSCEIPTION OF TERMS.
(m^mt II)
27
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
(5m^rfiR?RqSS^c^Tf^5miTTS^ ll)
28
PLATE VII,
(i(
29
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
30
DEFINITION AND DESCEIPTION OF TEBMS.
31
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
32
PLATE IX.
c3
Tl
GANAPATI.
GANAPATI.
35
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
36
GANAPATI.
38
GANAPATL
39
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
40
GANAPATI.
so perfect a son."
t Kennedy's Uiivlii Mythology, pp, 353-54,
\ Kennedy's Hindu Mythology, p. 353, f. n. 2.
41
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
exclaiming, '
I am the greatest '; and Dharmaraja,
beholding the register of then- good and evil deeds,
remains silent, lost in astonishment. For the seven
hells were most assuredly intended for their recep-
'
The same as Somnath."
42
GANAPATI.
'
Desirous of your advantage have I created this
being, who will occasion obstacles to men, and
deluding them will deprive them of the wish to
visit Somanatha, and thus shall they fall into hell.'
thee, Devi :
—
Command, lovely goddess What
'
—
!
43
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
''
Keanedy's Hindu Mythology, pp. 354 —356.
44
GANAPATI.
45
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
46
GANAPATI.
named Vinayaka.
It is said that the shrines of Subrahmanya
are rather common in South India ; but those of
Vighnesvara are even more numerous. Every
47
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
west, of Kubera ;
and at the back, of Dhumraka.
Each of the four gates of the shrine should have a
pair of dvarapaJas. Those at the east gate are
named Avighna and Yighuaraja ; at the south
gate, Suvaktra and Balavan ; at the west gate,
Gajakarna and Gokarna; and at the north-gate,
Susaumya and Subhadayaka. All these images
are to be dwarfish in stature and should possess
terrific look; one of their hands should be in the
tcnja)!/ -pone, another should carry a dauda: and
the other two hands should, in the case of Avigbua
48
PLATE X,
GANAPATI,
49
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
Tamil.
50
GANAPATI.
51
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
line.
52
PLATE XI.
33
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
54
PLATE XII.
55
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
56
PLATE XUI,
Heramba-Ganapati.
(Back- view).
57
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
58
PLATE XV.
PLATE XYI,
"^"^^
,\^-'.^-'
x;
^c
%1
*^ ^<^%^>> .
?.^'
^\ Pt^
^ ft '^.^f*-;.--^ -^
J>-.^
•^<%'
.5 '^-
#H^Ct
f^nS^.
Nritfca-Ganapati : Stone
Hoysalesvara Temple, Halebfdu.
59
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
60
GANAPATI.
61
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
of celibacy.
63
GANAPATI.
63
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
64
GANAPATI,
9 Gfj
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
66
GANAPATI.
67
VISHNU
DHRUVA-BERAS.
VISHNU
modern popular Hinduism, Vishnu is one of
IN
the gods of the Hindu trinity, and is conceived
to be responsible for the universal protection, as
Brahma and Siva, the two other gods are held to be
responsible for universal creation and destruction.
However, Vishnu is in fact an old Vedic god, who
is mentioned in all the four Vedas — the Eigveda,
the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvana-
veda. In none of them does he appear as the one
supreme deity. He is there identified with the sun,
73
10
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
74
VISHNU.
75
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
76
VISHNU.
77
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
India.
The principal image in a Vishnu temple is
78
VISHNU.
79
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
80
PLATE XVII.
zm
^.r^-
\
y^^,^
•"•^;'sit:S^4*^i£iis*Ssii'_-.i7
A\'it<,'>*«»\^
81
11
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
82
PLATE XIX
Adhama Bhogasthanakamurti :
Stone ; Tiruvottiyur.
83
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
'^
The Pujakamunis mentioned in the description of all
•^^tti^cr^n^rft^ ^reg»iprf^ ^- ii
=Er3Eisrf^i%*rTJt g sri^^i^g^ ft i
84
PLATE XXI.
^^^
.s^
the paisacha-pada.
* Chara-rdsi is the same as chara-bhavanam this ; is said to
the varying signs of the zodiac, i.e., the first, fourth, seventh
'
be
and tenth
'
which are Mesha, Earkataka, Tula and Makara.
85
HINDU IGONOGEAPHY.
in addition.
of
The following slightly different description
found
the Yogesvara form of the image of Vishnu
is
86
PLATE XXI Y.
Yogaaanamurti : Stone :
Bagali.
87
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
88
PLATE XXV
>
c
o
o
a
o
a
Id
lO
•-a
'
[Between pages 88 ani 89
PLATE XXYII.
* •'r-''-f''**t.
^. VT^ f ' * .»
<5D
Bhogasanamurti : Slone ; Dadikkombu.
c
o
03
S
cS
89
13
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
made
,
90
t»L,ATB XXIX
3
a.
a
o
GQ
Id
a
ca
lO
M>.
91
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
This type of the image of Vishnu should be of
dark colour and have two or four
^ Bhogasayana- ^^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^-j^ ^^^^_ jj.
body should be raised and the other half should rest upon
92
PLATE XXXIII
a
o
lO
^^m
i'*:*
VISHNU.
93
HINDU lOONOGRAPHY.
aclliama class.
94
VISHNU.
95
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
96
VISHNU.
97
18
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
98
VISHNU.
99
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
100
VISHNU.
101
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
102
VISHNU.
103
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
104
VISHNU.
105
u
HINDU lOONOGKAPHY.
106
VISHNU.
107
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
108
VISHNU.
109
HINDU ICONOGKAPHY.
no
PLATE XXXII.
Ill
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
112
VISHNU.
113
16
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
114
VISHNU.
119
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
120
DASAVATARAS OF VISHNU.
121
16
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
122
PLATE XXXV
c3
g
1:3
14
c3
•a -
icS
>
DASAVATARAS OF VISHNU.
123
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
.„ ,
avatar as of Vishnu even in the
Early referen-
ces to the avata- ancient literature of the Hindus; for
ras of Vishnu. . _ ,
instance, in Satapatha-Bralmiana
it is stated that Prajapati took the form of a tor-
toise ; similarly the T aittirlya- AranyaJca mentions
that the earth was raised from the waters by a
black boar with a hundred hands. All the avataras
are more or less directly referred to in the later Sans-
The Matsyava- f•) says— " Then the God {lU. the
^^^^-
Unwinking), kindly-disposed, said
to those rishis, " I am the Prajapati Brahma, above
[By '
you here the Grod Brahma
'
is meant] ." The
Bhdgavata-Purdna gives the following account of
the origin of the fish avatdra of Vishnu " Being :
—
thus addressed by Vishnurata, the divine Badarayani
related the deed of Vishnu achieved by him in the
124
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
125
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
126
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
127
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
the case of the fish avatara, this image also has
four hands two of which carry the sao'ikha and the
chaJcra, while the other two are held in the varada
and ahliaya poses. The image is adorned with
ornaments and with the hinta-makicta on the head.
The image of the Kurmavatara may also be like
an ordinary tortoise.
128
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
nation :
— "At the beginning of the kalpa, that divine
I2y
17
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
Thou
fice. art the vashatkdra (a sacrificial formula).
130
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
131
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
132
DASAVATAEAS Or VISHNU.
133
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
134
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
135
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
136
DA8A7ATAEAS OF VISHNU.
137
13
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
138
PLATE XXXyi.
-5rjir«!?!S0iS2fcCgg;3«O,,„,.,,^^^.
V^-ieO^^-^^^JiPWt^
a
u
3
.p.
Its
J3
o
a
o
139
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
140
^LATB XXXVll.
311 'i?^:
-4te
1^
\
Bburarahamurti : Stone : Badami.
[To lace page 140.]
PLATE XXXYIIt
^ :^^.:':
Yai-aha : Stone : Eajim, Eaipur District, Central Provinces.
03
a
o
02
e3 a
ic3 S
o
f^
o
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
141
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
142
PLATE XL. 7C
/!>'««SM5i'«!ilBW^:»'j««*l«''^«»''"»s\'«^^
mmmiuu
Varaha; Bronze: Madras Museum.
143
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
round eyes and tusks, and also the sword and shield
in their hands, — who are shown as lying crushed
144
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
Narasimha. ^
kasipu. The former of these receiv-
ed certain boons from Brahma, which made him
notably powerful ; and he thereupon began to sub-
145
19
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
jugate the gods and tease them. The gods in their
new affliction, complained to Brahma and sought
his help to overcome the troublous might of the
146
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
147
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
148
DA8AVATARAS OF VISHNU.
149
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
150
PliATE XLiIJ.
151
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
152
DASAVATARAS 01 VISHNU.
anjali pose.
If the figure of Narasirhha is sculptured with
only eight hands, two of them should be employed
in tearing open the belly of Hiranyakasipu, while
four others should carry the saiikha, the gada, the
cliakra and the padma. The remaining two should
be holding the drawn out entrails of Hiranyakasipu
garland-wise. The neck of the image must be
thick ; the shoulders and the hip must be compara-
tively large in size and the abdomen as well as the
waist must be notably thin. The whole of the
153
m
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
154
PLATE Xlilll,
155
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
156
PLATE XLIV.
artist.
157
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
158
PLATE XLVI.
159
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
160
DASAVATABAS OF VISHNU.
161
21
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
162
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
163
HINDU IGONOGEAPHY.
164
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
left hand carries the chakra and the right hand the
sankha. The other right hand should be held up
with the palm upwards, and the other left hand
stretched out parallel to the uplifted leg ; or
^
Sritaioa-ntcUu statea that the colour of Trivikrama is
blood-red.
165
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
166
DASAVATARAS OF VISHNU.
167
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
mottara ;
in another reading of this passage the
expression ekordha is found instead of ekordhva.
168
PLATE XLYIH
i^.-^;--.^
169
32
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
170
PLATE XLIX.
ipi|«»WW^P»w»?wi!^»^rr - .^
171
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
172
PLATE li.
>m{(fif^*-
'
-/# F^-; I;
,&
' ^ '"^"^^
In
^- \i
li t
f
/
i "i« %
Trivikrama : Panel-Stone : Badanii.
[To face page 172.]
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
173
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
Viratarupa).
The fourth illustration (PL LI) represents a
sculpture found at EUora. It is in Cave No. 16,
which is called the Dasa-avatara Cave. The
treatment of the subject in this instance is almost
identical with that shown in the third illustration.
The prominent differences are that here the sword
is held by Trivikrama in a horizontal position
instead of vertically as in the other instances
secondly the hand holding the bow is extended
forwards. The figures of Surya and Chandra, of
Namuchi and the other representative r^kshasas
are absent. Below the out-stretched leg of Trivi-
174
PLATE LI.
U>M
•.''-;^?w"-\*^*lj
DASAVATARAS OP VISHNU.
175
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
176
PLATE LIU
fn^'
6:1 ..H-
y- ;
-H*t^,
it
Trivikrama : Stoue : Nuggaballi.
177
23
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
179
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
* Bhag. Pur. Bk. VIII, ch. 18. " And the righteous Bali
180
DASAVATARAS OF VISHNU.
181
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
182
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
183
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
Ibi
DASAVATAEAS OP VISHNU.
186
DASAVATARAS OF VISHNU.
187
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
his own sons and took them away with him ; how
thereafter Sita ^vith a sense of security and relieved
anxiety passed away into the bosom of her mother
Earth ; and how at last he made over his kingdom
to his sons, and himself ascended to heaven,
leaving behind him the hallowing memory of a
188
{•liATE lilV
i^'P/v
a
ID
CO
^r^-^.
^fi
189
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
190
DASAVATABAS OF VISHNU.
191
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
bent.
The group of bronze figures, consisting of those
192
PliATE liV.
^^
DASAVATARAS OF VISHNU.
193
26
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
194
PLATE LVI.
- ^y^:>^'
^:*^^^
-i;-.'^.yV.:-.'C-.^f.'
;^fc-t^^ ; .;• :^ ^v,
\
Eama. Hanuman.
Stone : Mahabalipuram.
a
a
a
M
ic3
103
M a
CO o
c3
.a
c3
195
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
196
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
197
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
198
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
By Rukmini was
" born to him a son, named
Pradyumna, whom the Daitija Sambara, on the
sixth day after his birth, carried away and threw
into the sea. He was swallowed by a fish ; which,
being taken by a fisherman, was given to Sambara ;
199
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
Serpent Ananta.
f See Kennedy's Hindu Mythology, pp, 439-441.
200
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
201
%6
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
202
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
203
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
204
PLATE LYIII.
«? -T
DASAVATARAS OF VISHNU.
205
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
206
PLATE lilX.
i-
i
DASAVATARAS OF VISHNU.
207
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
artistic skill.
Venu-Gopala is generally surrounded
by cowherds and cowherdesses. This image of
Krishna is made to stand erect with the left leg
resting on the floor ; and the right leg is thrown
across behind or in front of the left leg so as to
touch the ground with the toes. The flute is held
in both the hands, and one end of it is applied to
the mouth. It is said that the complexion of such
images of Krishna should be dark in hue so as to
resemble the rain-cloud in appearance. The head
should be ornamented with a bunch of peacock's
feathers. There should be three bends in the body.
Four illustrations of Gana-Gopala are given
here. That from Halebidu, (PI. LXI.), is one
which fairly tallies with the description given
above. But it is worthy of note that here there
are no cowherds, cowherdesses, cows and calves.
208
PLATE liXI.
GaQa-Gopala : Stone :
Halebldu.
[To face page 208-]
PLATE LXH.
a
o
ic3
lO
O
00
a
>
ic8
a
lO
OJO
209
27
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
210
PLATE liXIII.
-"*Wfei
II
ill i I
2n
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
213
PLATE LXIV
\
..>afM » ^^ -^-m^
213
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
2U
PLATE LXV.
fffMlS^^
Govardliana-dbara Krishna : Nuggehalli.
"
-^?^
- . -
-- — ggggt «- —
(S
DASAVATAEAS OE VISHNU.
215
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
.1
216
DASAVATARAS OF VISHNU,
21V
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
218
DA8AVATAEA8 OF VISHNU.
219
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
221
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
922
DASAVATAEAS OF VISHNU.
223
CHATURVIMSATI-MURTAYAH.
39
THE TWENTY-FOUR IMAGES OF
VISHNU.
227
HINDIS ICONOGEAPHY.
228
PLATE LXIX
ZW -ii^
% '
J'
' I
f
'2.
>
C5
«^'
'^ > t
r-/
V 13
m
> ? • 'v.
-.^~***»-
P
O
\ >
,a
i.
>:-A
IS
Jl 1©
1
M
?
CO
3
_a
at a glance.
Ho.
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
No.
PLATE LXXI.
vi'
CD
n
, ^""-"''«tw«t<.^--.»,.„., ,.^.
""
1/
TWENTY-FOUR IMAGES OF VISHNU.
No.
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
No.
TWENTY-FOUB IMAGES OF VISHNU.
No. '
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
234
TWENTY-FOUR IMAGES OF VISHNU.
235
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
236
TWENTY-FOUR IMAGES OF VISHNU.
237
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
on all alike.
238
TWENTY-FOUR IMAGES OF VISHNU.
239
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
240
TWENTY-FOUR IMAGES OF VISHNU.
241
31
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
242
TWENTY-FOUR IMAGES OF VISHNU.
243
HINDI ICONOGRAPHY.
244
MINOR AVATARAS AND
MANIFESTATION OF VISHNU.
MINOE AYATAKAS AXD MANIFESTA-
TION OF VISHNU.
Purusha. ...
image
in the
of
nrst
Purusha
avarana
is on the east
; and the
image should be so placed as to be facing the
east. The colour of this image should be white
and that of its garment yellow. It should have
on its sides the images of Sridevi and ^Fedinidevi
respectively.
Kapila i.s said to be the form assumed by the
divine Pradyurana when he became
Kapila.
free from the miluence of all
247
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
248
MINOE AVATAEAS & MANIFESTATION OF VISHNU.
the Nirukta explains the above thus : the four horns mention-
ed in the Eik stand for the four Vadas ; the three legs for the
three svanas, namely, the pratassvana, the madhyandinasvana
and the tritlyasvana ; the two heads for the ishtis, the
prayaniya-ishn and the udayaniya-ishti ; and the seven
hands for the seven chhandas or mantras. This bull, Yajna,
acoording to the Eik referred to above, is said to be tied up by
three ropes and is bellowing ; the great god, Yajna represented
as a bull, is also said to have entered into the bodies of men.
The Nirukta explains the three fold binding of the bull as its
said to have entered men for the purpose of making them offer
sacrifices. Brahmanas should employ this mantra when
they make offerings to the fire in the moraing and the
evening.
The symbolical explanation of the sacrifices given above
249
32
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
Yajnaraurti.
250
MINOR AVATARAS & MANIFESTATION OF VISHNU.
261
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
252
PLATE LXXII.
m^"^
a
o
-^
CO
^^4
I *:':-^
253
HINDU ICONOGBAPHY.
254
PLATE LXXIII.
convey.
Fig. 2, PI. LXXII, is another illustration of
the same variety as the above, but here the image
is a standing one. It carries in its hands the sula,
255
HINDU lOONOGKAPHY.
256
PLATE LXXY.
the chalra, the aiiJcusa, the bana, the saMi and the
chakra (/) ; the seventh right hand is to be in the
257
33
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
258
PLATE liXXYI.
259
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
260
PLATE liXXVII.
261
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
ivoly of Adimurti.
,
;f^;
i(^H
Mr .- -V.
263
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
its evolution.
The drawing of Jalasayin on PI. LXXIX, is
264
PLATE LXXIX,
cc
265
34
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
266
MINOR AVATARAS & MANIFESTATION OF VISHNU.
267
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
268
PLATE LXXX.
269
HINDU lOONOGBAPHY.
270
MINOE AVATAEAS & MANIFESTATION OF VISHNU.
that of Hara, that is, Siva and the left half of Hari,
271
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
272
PLATE LXXXI.
273
33
HINDU lOONOGEAPHY.
274
MINORlAVATAEAS & MANIFESTATION OF VISHNU.
275
HINDU ICONOGBAPHY.
276
PliATE LXXXII.
o
03
P3
a
C3 ^
s
,-a
™
rt.
a
c3
CM
oi
«o- * -
CQ
r
^.
x\ M
7 ,^— '^S;{^
^ .
^iC'" *
a
a
M
00
277
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
^: atf!r^«n ^i%#^5n%^«r>^r ii
278
PLATE LXXXIII.
<D
a
o
-4,'
00
>5
279
GARUDA AND AYUDHA-
PURUSHAS.
36
GARUDA AND AYUDHA-PURUSHAS.
where his mother was, and there learnt that she was
held in slavery by his father's other wife Kadrii. The
sons of Kadru who were all snakes promised to free
Vinata, if Garuda managed to bring for their use
the ambrosia of the gods from their celestial world.
Gai'uda started out at once on this mission of
securing the ambrosia for his step-brothers, and on
his way lived upon the Nishadas. When he ap-
proached the lake called Alamba, he caught there
283
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
the gods ; and after a hard fight there with the ap-
pointed guards of the pot of ambrosia succeeded in
taking away from their possession the pot of
284
GARUDA AND AYUDHA-PUEUSHA8.
origin.
285
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
286
PLATE liXXXIV,
a
o
m
c3
287
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
288
PLATE LXXXY.
J3
a
'2
-t^™.
289
37
HINDU ICONOGEAPHY.
290
GARL'DA AND AYUDHA-PURUSHAS.
'
The Ahirbudhnya-samhita deals largely with the great-
Sudarsana.
291
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
His three eyes are the sun, the moon and the fire
292
GARUDA AND AYUDHA-PURUSHAS.
293
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY.
294
GARL'DA AND AYUDHA-PURUSHAS.
Nature.
The Varaha-pumna says that the sanhha is
29J
HINDU lOONOGBAPHY.
discovered.
2tf6