The Hindu Temple v2.c11.s1.56

v2.c11.s1.56

The gods represented by Indian sculpture belong to definite types for they body forth definite aspects of divine being; the peaceful (śānta), the terrific (ugra), etc. The iconographical physiognomy of the face is also that of the body; the body of the terrific image for example is inflated with divine fury as are the bulging eyes, etc. Typological iconography is a highly specified science;¹⁹ it comprises the wide range of emotions classified in 9 categories.²⁰ Combined and rarefied they are the substratum of the divine countenance while in its structure of ideal proportions ethnical traits are not forgotten which belong to the people in whose midst the images were made.