Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c11.48

v1.c11.48

Fig. 2, Pl. XLI. is the representation of an image which belongs to the Chennakēśava temple at Bēlūr in the Mysore province. The characteristic details of ornamentation, the minute and clearly traceable workmanship in the carving, the excellent and beautiful, though conventional, sculpturing of the various figures marks this Varāha image as belonging to one of the most attractively artistic schools of a late period. We see Varāha here with twelve hands, in the right six of which he carries the *śūla*, thrust into the body of Hiraṇyāksha, the *aṅkuśa*, the *ghaṇṭa*, the *khaḍga*, the *chakra* and the *bāṇa* in the order from below: in two of the left hands a fruit (lemon) and the *khēṭaka* are seen, and something which is held in the third left hand is not capable of being made out from the photograph; the fourth left hand gives support to the hanging leg of the Dēvī, while the fifth carries the *śaṅkha* and the sixth is held in the *vismaya* pose. This Varāha is treading upon two *asuras*,—notice their round eyes and tusks, and also the sword and shield in their hands,—who are shown as lying crushed under the feet of the deity. In front stands Bhūmidēvī, whose head has been unfortunately broken away, with her hand in the *añjali* pose.