The Development of Hindu Iconography c19.s2.17

c19.s2.17

Īśāna, the lord of the north-eastern quarter, is, as his name indicates, a particular aspect of Śiva. The texts endow him generally with such iconographic features as jaṭāmukuṭa, śveta yajñopavīta (white sacred thread), three eyes, a śūla and a kapāla in his right and left hands, a bull mount, a tiger-skin garment, etc. All these are the characteristic traits of Śiva. The Viṣṇudharmottara description of this Dikpāla is, however, very interesting. In Chapters 55-58 of Book III of this text are described the images of Śiva (Īśāna, called also Gaurīśarva in this context), Agni, Nirṛti and Vāyu, one after another, and it can be presumed that they are no other than the lords of the minor quarters in this juxtaposition (though the text does not expressly define their character in this way). Gaurīśarva (Sarva is one of the eight names of Śiva) standing for Śiva (Īśāna) is nothing but another name of Ardhanārīśvara-Śiva, and the description in the text fully proves it. It will be presently noted in connection with the syncretistic icons, but it is curious that this conjoint aspect of Śiva and Umā should stand for one of the Dikpālas.