Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c12.7

v1.c12.7

Of the two illustrations of Garuda given on Pls. LXXXIV and LXXXV; the first is found in the rock-cut cave No. III at Bādāmi carved on the front gable; the second one, which is carved in wood, is preserved in the Śiva temple at Pālūr in the Native State of Travancore. In both the instances Garuda has a beak-like nose, round eyes, two outstretched wings and a pair of arms. In addition to these, the Bādāmi sculpture has a flabby belly and is seen holding in his right hand a snake, and wearing various ornaments. The Pālūr Garuda is one of the finest specimens of wood-carving of the Malabar country; it is less than two centuries old. It is seen carrying in the right hand the elephant Supratika, one of whose legs is held between the talons of Garuda. In the left hand of Garuda is to be seen the tortoise Vibhavāsu; the left wing of this image of Garuda is lost. The Pālūr Garuda is carved so as to be hung on the ceiling by means of a chain.