Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c19.137

v3.c19.137

The *Śilparatna* alone mentions that the colour of Lakshmī is white and further says that in her left hand she holds the lotus and in the right hand the *bilva* fruit. It adds that she wears a necklace of pearls and is attended by two maidens who are waving the *chāmara* near her. She must be bathed with water taken out of two exactly similar vessels. The figure of Lakshmī should have only two hands when she is by the side of Vishṇu. But when she is worshipped in a separate temple she should have four hands, (See fig. 1, Pl. CXI), and be seated upon a lotus of eight petals placed upon a *siṃhāsana*. In one of the two right hands she should hold a lotus with a long stalk, and in the other a *bilva* fruit; the left hands should carry an *amṛitaghaṭa* (a pot containing ambrosia) and a *śaṅkha* respectively. Two elephants standing a little behind her should pour from pots pure water on her head for bathing her. On her head also there should be a lotus. She should be adorned with *kēyūra* and *kaṅkaṇa*.