The Development of Hindu Iconography c13.75.2

c13.75.2

The imperial Pālas of Bengal were Paramasaugatas and the Senas were worshippers of Sadāśiva. Many such other instances can be shown in which the royalties extensively patronised one or other of the cults and those that were not professed by them did also prevail in their kingdoms. The temples and religious structures which were built by them or by rich and influential citizens in their realms had to be decorated with numbers of subsidiary figures and other forms. Images were also necessary for the primary purpose of enshrinement in the main sanctum. Not only were the shrines of these gods built, but also funerary structures in honour of their departed ancestors were erected by the royalties and rich magnates, and shrines with images of gods and goddesses were invariable adjuncts to them. Then again, monastic establishments, associated with one or other of the Brahmanical sectaries, would contain different devagṛhas and daivatas (temples and images). Lastly, Gurvvāyatanas were erected by various sectarian clericals, which also contained shrines and images of gods. One of the earliest Gurvvāyatanas that we know of is the one referred to in the stone pillar inscription of the time of Chandragupta II (year 61 of the Gupta Era), which records the establishment of two images (Sivaliṅgas), called Kapileśvara and Upamiteśvara, in such a shrine, by the Pāśupata Ācārya Uditācārya, after the names of his gurus.