Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c19.22

v3.c19.22

If the image of the Dēvī is such as is made to stand by the side of the image of her consort, then it generally has only two hands; one of these is made to hold a lotus or is kept in the kaṭaka pose, evidently to have a fresh natural flower put in every day, instead of having to carry metallic or stone representation of the same; the other hand is allowed to hang down freely by the side. This kind of goddess should have only two eyes and be of golden colour and handsome in appearance. Even when the Dēvī is not made to stand by the side of her consort, she may sometimes be given only two hands, one of which may be made to carry a parrot or a mirror and the other a blue-lily; or, she may be made to hold a śūla and a pāśa, or any other weapons which please the fancy of the artist.