The Hindu Temple v2.c12.65

v2.c12.65

The high crown of matted locks is not shown in the photograph, where only the root of the hair and horn-like locks are seen shading in a wide arch a low forehead, the rest of the face being encircled by the curls and terminated by the point of the beard, a tongue of fire. It rests on the chest against a pattern of jewellery similar to that of the Sūrya image though more simple and harmonising with the locks, the hair and the stern kindness of the face. The curly outline of the beard separates the face from the body and gives it the impressiveness of a mask smoothly modelled in flat curves in whose sweep the eyes without sockets, the wide brows have the strongest vibration. It spreads over the entire face which is unruffled, but changeable in expression; benevolent and irascible (Pl. VII), withdrawn and mysterious (Pl. VIII).