Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c12.4

v1.c12.4

The *Śilparatna* gives two somewhat different descriptions of Garuḍa. According to one description the image should have the golden yellow colour from the feet to the knees, should be snow-white from the knees to the navel, scarlet from the navel to the neck and jet black from the neck to the head; the eyes should be yellow and the beak blue; there must be a terrific look in the eyes of Garuḍa, and he should have only two hands one of which is to be in the *abhaya* pose. In the other description, the *Śilparatna* states that Garuḍa should have eight hands in six of which he should be carrying respectively the pot of ambrosia, the *gadā*, the *śaṅkha*, the *chakra*, the sword and a snake. Nothing is said of the two other hands. Instances of Garuḍas of this description have not been met with in actual sculptures.