[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [South Indian Bronzes: A Historical Survey of South Indian Sculpture with Iconographical Notes Based on Original Sources](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.gangoly-1915) › c7.51 # South Indian Bronzes: A Historical Survey of South Indian Sculpture with Iconographical Notes Based on Original Sources c7.51 South Indian Bronzes: A Historical Survey of South Indian Sculpture with Iconographical Notes Based on Original Sources c7.51 - **Language:** English ### [c7.51](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.gangoly-1915.c7.51) abode of Siva' is a generic term used in South India to denote, in common parlance, a temple corresponding to the Tamil word 'koyil.' The principles of temple-worship according to Vaishnavite or the Bhāgabat school are laid down in the \*Nārada panca rātra\*. In the chapter dealing with \*Charyāpada\* rules are laid down for the method of making the holy statues and the rituals connected with their consecration.¹ In the \*Pādma tantra\*² there is an express direction that the all-pervading Vishnu should be worshipped in images to be constructed by artists according to the rules of the \*sastras\*. Sankracārya also gives five methods of worshipping the supreme Lord Bhāgavat Vāsudeva :—(1) \*Abhigamana\* or going to the temple diety with the speech, the body and the mind centred on him; (2) \*Upādāna\* or collecting the materials for worship; (3) \*Ijyā\* or worship; (4) \*Svādhyāya\* or the muttering of the usual mantra; (5) \*Yoga\* or meditation. So that the theological basis of Vaishnavite art was as elaborate as that of Saivaite art. The Vaishnava theologians distinguish the following five aspects of the godhead :—(1) Parā, transcendental; (2) Vyuha, cosmogonical; (3) Vibhāva, incarnational; (4) Antaryāmi, immanential; and (5) Archā, worshipable.³ The Saivaite schools recognize three conceptions, viz., 'Sakala,' 'Niskala' and 'Isha.' 'Sakala' corresponds to the 'archaic' or worshipable form, 'Niskala' answers to the \*parā\* or the transcendental idea, and 'Isha' represents the cosmogonical or the immanential aspect.⁴ - [Previous: c7.50](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.gangoly-1915.c7.50) - [Next: c7.52](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.gangoly-1915.c7.52) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.gangoly-1915.c7) ## Cites (2) - [Jñānāmṛtasārasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.sampradaya.vaisnava.pancaratra.samhita.brahmaratra.jnanamrtasara) — Sanskrit - [Pādmasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.sampradaya.vaisnava.pancaratra.samhita.ratnatraya.padma) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.gangoly-1915.c7.51](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.gangoly-1915.c7.51) · Pramāṇa