Elements of Hindu Iconography v2.c16.s3.24

v2.c16.s3.24

represent Umāmahēśvaramūrti. Pl. XXIII is the reproduction of the image at Bāgaḷi in the Bellary District. In this, Umā is seated upon the left lap of Śiva and has her right hand taken round in embrace and resting upon the right side of the chest of Śiva, and carries in her left hand a mātuluṅga fruit. The front right hand of Śiva is held in the abhaya pose and the front left hand is placed on the left shoulder of Umā. In the back right and left hands are the triśūla and the ḍamaru respectively. The Dēvī wears on her head the hair done up in a fine side-knot. On the prabhāvaḷi are sculptured minutely the figures of the aṣṭa-dik-pālas or the guardians of the eight quarters. It should be noted that in this case the figures of Gaṇēśa, Kumāra, the rishi Bhṛiṅgi and the bull are not sculptured. Pl. XXIV is the photograph of a piece of sculpture to be found in Aihole. Here, Śiva is carrying in two hands snakes, and in one hand the triśūla; the remaining hand embraces Umā and rests on her shoulder. Umā keeps her right hand on the left thigh of Śiva; her other arm is broken. On the left side of the seat on which Śiva and Umā are seated, is the figure of the child Kumāra who seems to be holding in his left hand three lotus flowers by their stalks and keeping some fruit in the right one. Below the seat are two *Apasmāra-Purushas* and the *rishi* Bhṛṅgi. The figure of Gaṇēśa which ought to be on the right of Bhṛṅgi appears to be lost. Pl. XXV is one of the very best pieces of ivory carving executed in the School of Arts at Trivandram. The delicacy of the workmanship, the beauty of the conception and execution, the grandeur of the effect it produces are beyond praise. Śiva is here represented as seated on a *bhadrāsana* under a tree and carries the *paraśu* and the *mṛiga* in his back hands; he holds his front right hand in the *abhaya* pose and embracing the Dēvi with his left arm, keeps that hand in the *varada* pose. Umā is embracing Śiva with her right hand and keeps in her left one a lotus flower. There is a profusion of snake ornaments—on the crown, in the ear-lobes, on the arms, and round the chest, of Śiva. On the right and left are the two children of Umā, the elder, Gaṇapati, having an underwear and the younger, Kumāra, standing naked. Gaṇēśa has four arms in which he keeps the *aṅkuśa*, the *pāśa*, the *danta* and the *mōdaka* and behind him is his vehicle, the mouse. Kumāra has two arms; in the left of which he holds the *śakti* and with his right arm he embraces the neck of his favourite vehicle, the peacock. In front of the seat of Śiva is the seated figure of Nandi, the bull vehicle of Śiva.