The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c9.126.1

v1.c9.126.1

**Pose:** The most approved position for gods is standing on both legs, embodying the idea of firmness and dignity: for goddesses, the same, but resting on the leftfoot, the right leg crossing the left, and touching the ground by the ends of the toes. For Kṛṣṇa this feminine position is the most approved, with three bends in the body (*tribhaṅga*), the first caused by the crossing of the legs, the second by a curvature at the waist, and the third by an inclination of the head to one side, generally the left. This is esteemed the most amatory and graceful, and dancing girls are often represented with these, or similar, bends. The Greeks took this position to be indicative of frolicsome youth and effeminacy, and assigned it only to Apollo, Bacchus and Mercury, censuring it, like the Hindus, in grave subjects.⁵² For the different manifestations of Durgā this style of *tribhaṅga* is never tolerated, the myths on which they are founded requiring vigorous action. Such is also the case with some forms of the fierce god Rudra; and the figures of that divinity are often represented in positions and attitudes expressive of violent agitation. When, however, Śiva appears in the company of his consort, the lady is placed on the lap of her husband, and the attitude adopted is one of easy grace and enjoyment. In the case of seated single figures of goddesses the usual position is that of squatting on a bench or chair, with one foot hanging down, or resting on a stool or a lotus.