Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c11.56

v1.c11.56

Sometimes Girija-Narasimha is represented as seated upon a *simhāsana* with the right leg hanging down and the left folded and made to rest upon the seat. The image generally has four arms, and the back right and left hands carry the *chakra* and *śaṅkha* respectively. The front right hand has to be shown in the *abhaya* pose, and the front left hand as resting upon the hip in the *kaṭyavalambita* pose. While the colour of this form of the image of Narasimha is required to be white, the colour of the garments has to be red. Moreover the image should be adorned with all suitable ornaments, and on the head the *karaṇḍa-makuṭa* should be worn. On the right of such Narasimha there should be the image of Lakshmī seated on the same seat, but with her left leg folded and made to rest upon the seat, and the right leg hanging down. In the left hand this goddess should carry a lotus; and her right hand should be made to rest upon the seat. The image of Bhūmidēvī should be shown seated on the left of Narasimha, with her right leg folded and made to rest on the seat, while the left leg is made to hang down. In the right hand of this goddess there should be shown the *nilōtpala* flower, and the left hand should be shown as resting upon the seat. The colour of the image of Lakshmī has to be golden yellow, and that of Bhūmidēvī has to be dark. Both the goddesses should be adorned with all appropriate ornaments.