Elements of Hindu Iconography v2.c16.s3.29

v2.c16.s3.29

Fig. 2, Pl. XXVI is another group almost similar to the one described above. Śiva is, in this sculpture, seen carrying a lotus, the śūla, and a snake in three of his hands and the remaining one is embracing Umā about her chest. Both Umā and Śiva are wearing *śaṅkha-patra kuṇḍalas*, that is, sections of conch-shells. Round the head of Śiva is a very well executed *prabhā-maṇḍala* while the hair of the head of Umā is fashioned into an artistic knot behind. The Dēvī keeps her right hand resting on the left foot of her lord and appears to have carried a flower in her left hand which is broken. On the top right hand corner of the panel is seated Brahmā in the *yōgāsana* attitude and carrying in his hands the articles peculiar to him. The middle face of this deity has a peaked beard. Correspondingly on the left is the figure of Viṣṇu who, in three of his hands carries the *gadā* the *chakra* and the *śaṅkha* and keeps the remaining hand in the pose of praise. Both Brahmā and Viṣṇu are seated each on a full blown lotus. There is a distinctly noticeable smile on the faces of Brahmā and Viṣṇu. Below are the figures of Gaṇēśa and two others, who are unidentifiable, on the right; the *rishi* Bhṛiṅgi, in a dancing attitude, in the middle; and Kumāra on the left. Both Gaṇēśa and Kumāra are represented as children and are nude. There is also the bull behind Bhṛiṅgi. The grouping of the members in the composition of this piece of sculpture and its execution are indeed very good. Pls. XXVII-XXIX are the characteristic pieces of sculpture of the cave-temples of the Bombay Presidency. A certain amount