South Indian Bronzes: A Historical Survey of South Indian Sculpture with Iconographical Notes Based on Original Sources c10.203

c10.203

This image is sometimes conceived with four and sometimes with eight hands as in the example illustrated. According to the lakhaṇa laid down in the kāśyapiya, the tail of the elephant should be disposed in the manner of the ring or the sphere of fire (pravā maṇḍala); the four right hands should carry the śula (trident) sword, the skin of the elephant, and its tusk respectively, and the four left hands should carry the skull, the shield, the noose and the elephant's skin. The right leg being posed on the head of the elephant, the left leg should be raised and curled up.