Elements of Hindu Iconography v2.c16.64

v2.c16.64

names of Śiva. There are *kuṇḍalas* in the ears (fig. 1, Pl. IV), the lobes of which are distended so as to hang down as far as the shoulders; on each of the upper-arms is a highly finished ornamental band (*aṅgadā*) and on the forearms five bracelets of different patterns (see figs. 2—7, Pl. IV). Round the neck is to be seen a necklace of rare workmanship (fig. 8, Pl. IV); it is noteworthy that there is no *yajñōpavīta*, the Brāhmanical sacred thread, which is insisted upon in all *Āgamas*. The image wears a cloth on the loins, which, from its sculpture, appears to be of a very fine texture, for the thighs and the organ are visible through it very distinctly. The creases and smaller folds of the cloth running across the thighs are very well executed, and the larger and heavier folds flow down between the two legs.