Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c11.32

v1.c11.32

To the right of what we have supposed to be the figure of Śiva stands a female figure, with her hands folded in the *añjali* pose and her feet immersed in water: her head is adorned with a *karaṇḍa-makuṭa*. She is the goddess of earth Bhūmidēvī, just rescued from the ocean. Under the right foot of Varāha is Ādiśēsha, with a five-headed *nāga* hood on the head. He has also his hands in the *añjali* pose and is worshipfully looking at the great deliverer of the earth with uplifted head. Half of his body is plunged in water, which is represented in the sculpture in the usual conventional manner with lotuses and waves, although the lotuses are of course out of place in the ocean. The execution of this elaborate panel is very artistic, and the proportion of the various figures is effective and appropriate. The drapery is arranged in quite a natural fashion and is very becoming. The big tusks and the powerful snout of the boar are intended to indicate great strength and terrific power.