Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c9.43

v1.c9.43

The general characteristics of Śakti-Gaṇapati, according to the *Vighnēśvara-pratishṭhā-vidhi*, are that he should be seated on the *padmāsana* with a green coloured Śakti by his side, whom he should be embracing about her waist, and that there should be no contact between the hips of the god and the goddess. His colour should be the crimson of the setting sun. He should hold the weapons *pāśa* and *vajra* and be made to look terrific. The *Mantramahārṇava*, on the other hand, has it that *danta*, *aṅkuśa*, *pāśa* and *akshamālā* should be placed in the hands and the *mōdaka*, in the trunk of this Gaṇapati, and that Śakti, decked with all ornaments and clothed in gold-laced cloth should be seated by his side.