Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c19.175

v3.c19.175

Māheśvari has four arms; two of which are in the *varada* and the *abhaya* poses respectively, while the remaining two hands carry the *śūla* and *akshamālā*. Her *vāhana* is the bull. This goddess is said in the *Vishṇudharmōttara* to have five faces, each possessing three eyes, and she wears on her crown the crescent moon. Her colour is white and she has six arms; in four of the hands she carries the *sūtra*, *ḍamaru*, *śūla* and *ghaṇṭā*, the two remaining hands being respectively in the *varada* and *abhaya* poses; her head is adorned with the *jaṭā-makuṭa*. Her banner also has the bull for its emblem.