The Development of Hindu Iconography c19.s6.8.4

c19.s6.8.4

Padmābhyāṃ śobhitakarā sā Dhātṛ prathamā smṛtā*). This North Bengal relief has no doubt much in common with the Dhātṛ aspect of the twelve Ādityas, but the increased number of its hands, its solar features and rosary and water-vessel (two of the well-known emblems of Brahmā) in two of its hands bring it in line with the groups of syncretistic icons being noticed here. Dhātṛ is no doubt one of the Ādityas, but Dhātā or Vidhātā is also one of the synonyms of Brahmā Prajāpati, and both these characters appear to be symbolised in this interesting sculpture (PL. XLVII, Fig. 3).