Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v4.c29.s5.58

v4.c29.s5.58

The following female deities or goddesses are next described (in Chapter LIV): Sarasvatī (goddess of learning), Lakshmī (goddess of prosperity), Mahī (the earth-goddess or mother country), Mana-unmādinī (enchantress of mind, the goddess of love), Sāvitrī (consort of Brahmā), Durgā (consort of Śiva) and the seven mothers comprising Vārāhī, Kaumārī, Chāmuṇḍī, Bhairavī, Māhendrī, Vaishṇavī, and Brahmāṇī. The former are superior goddesses, and are measured in the middle ten *tāla*, and the latter are inferior and measured in the nine *tāla*. The characteristic features, complexions, attributes, poses, ornaments, crowns, garments, etc., of every one of these are described in detail.² The chapter closes with a brief reference to the plumb-lines which are more fully treated in a later chapter.