Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c18.28.1

v3.c18.28.1

and the peculiarities of the modelling in general this image may well be taken to belong to a period anterior to the seventh century A. D. The image whose drawing is reproduced on Pl. LXXXVIII is found in the Śiva temple at Mēlchēri near Kāvēripākkam and belongs to the later Pallava period (A. D. 800). Here Sūrya may be seen standing upon a flat seat under which are worked out the seven horses and the driver Aruṇa. Fig. 2, Pl. LXXXVIII is a fine piece of sculpture found in Ellora. In this Sūrya is seen standing within a chariot drawn by the seven horses driven by Aruṇa. As in the case of all South Indian images of this god the hands of Sūrya are, in this instance also, lifted up to the level of the shoulders and carry each a lotus flower. On the right and left of Sūrya are Ushā and Pratyushā driving away the darkness before them with their bows and arrows. The chariot of Sūrya has here two wheels instead of only one as required by the Sanskrit authorities. This sculpture may be assigned to the eighth century. Of about the same time is the seated figure of Sūrya whose photograph is reproduced on Pl. LXXXIX. In this sculpture Sūrya is seated cross-legged in his chariot drawn by seven horses driven by Aruṇa. Around him are to be seen the figures of the goddesses Rājñī, Suvarṇā, Suvarchasā and Chhāyā, as also the figures of Daṇḍa and Piṅgala. The photographs reproduced on Pl. XC are interesting and represent the North Indian type of the image of the sun-god.