Elements of Hindu Iconography v2.c16.s7.2

v2.c16.s7.2

The *Śaivāgamas*, state that Śiva danced in a hundred and eight modes but content themselves with the description of nine modes only as it is very difficult to describe all. Of these the first variety is the one which we see associated with the figure of Naṭarāja, commonly found in all Śaiva temples of importance. According to the *Aṃśumadbhēdāgama* the image of Naṭarāja should be sculptured according to the *Uttama-daśa-tāla* measurement. The front left hand should be held in the *daṇḍahasta* or the *gajahasta* pose across the body, and the back left hand should carry *agni* either in a vessel or upon the palm itself. In either case the *agni* should be at the end, middle or the root of the middle finger. The front right hand should be held in the *abhaya* pose, the top of the middle finger of which should be just touching the *hikkā-sūtra*. On the fore-arm of this hand, there should be the *sarpa-valaya*, a description of which is given on page 23 in the Chapter on Definition and description of terms in Vol. I; it is there called *bhujaṅgavalaya* and means the same thing as *sarpavalaya*. The back right hand should keep a *ḍamaru*. The right leg should be slightly bent and placed upon the back of the Apasmāra-puruṣa and the knee should reach