Elements of Hindu Iconography v2.c16.s8.t3.16

v2.c16.s8.t3.16

As a great teacher of music, both instrumental and vocal, Śiva is worshipped in the form of Vīṇādhara-Dakṣiṇāmūrti. The description of the image of this aspect of Dakṣiṇāmūrti is found in the Kāmika, the Aṁśumadbhēda and the Kāraṇāgamas. The Aṁśumadbhēdāgama states that the left leg should be kept in the utkutika posture and the two front hands should hold the vīṇā; the rest should be exactly similar to the description of the Vyākhyānamūrti. According to the Kamikāgama the Gāna-Dakṣiṇāmūrti should have his front right and left hands held in the kaṭaka pose, the former with its palm facing below and the latter facing above. The *kaṭaka* pose being slightly different in form, the *Kāmikāgama* calls the pose the *sarpa-kara*. The left arm should be lifted up and the right arm lowered below, so as to hold in proper position the long-handled musical instrument, the *vīṇā*. The *vīṇā* should be held at the top by the left hand and by the right hand at the lower end; the resonating body of the instrument should rest on the right thigh. The lower right hand should be manipulating the strings of the instrument.