Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c7.41

v1.c7.41

Images are divided into three classes, as *chala* (moveable), *achala* (immoveable), and *chalāchala* (moveable-immoveable). The moveable images are those which are made of metal and are easily portable; of these the *kautuka-bēras* are meant for *archana*; the *utsava-bēras* are taken out, on festive occasions, in procession; and *balibēras*, and *snapana-bēras*,* are employed in relation to the daily services, for the purpose of offering *bali* to the *parivāras*, and for bathing respectively. The immoveable images are commonly known as the *mūla-vigrahas* or *dhruva-bēras*, and are generally made of stone and permanently fixed in the central shrine. They are invariably large and heavy images. *Dhruva-bēras* are of three kinds called *sthānaka*, *āsana* and *śayana*, that is, standing, sitting and reclining. In the case of Vaishnava images each of these three kinds of images is further divided into, *yōga*, *bhōga*, *vīra* and *ābhichārika* varieties. These varieties of the standing, sitting and reclining