Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c19.86

v3.c19.86

In a temple dedicated to Gauri the central figure should naturally be that of Gauri. On the left of the image of the central Gauri should be that of Siddhi, while on the right that of Śri. There should also be the images of Bhagavati and Sarasvati in places which are called the *priṣṭha-karṇa bhāga*, Gaṇēśa in the north-east corner and Kumāra in the south-east corner of the temple. The door-keepers of the temple of Gauri are eight in number. They all keep one of their hands in the *abhaya* pose and carry in another a *daṇḍa* while the two other hands of Jayā and Vijayā, two of the gate-keepers, are seen carrying *aṅkuśa* and *pāśa*; of Ajitā and Aparājitā, the *padma* and *pāśa*; of Vibhaktā and Maṅgalā, the *vajra*, and *aṅkuśa*; and of Mōhinī and Stambhinī, the *śaṅkha* and the *padma*.