Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c21.8

v3.c21.8

In the relative system an *aṅgula* is taken to be the length of the middle digit of the middle finger of either the sculptor or the architect, or of the rich devotee who causes a temple to be built or an image to be set up. The *aṅgula* thus obtained is called a *mātrāṅgula*. Another kind of *aṅgula* is obtained by dividing the whole length of the body of an image into 124, 120 or 116 equal parts; each of these divisions is called a *dēha-labdha-aṅgula* or shortly *dēhāṅgula*. The relative measure is meant to be used in the construction of temples or in the making of images; it is however, employed for the latter purpose more often than for the former. Different names are given to certain lengths representable by two or more *dēhāṅgulas* up to twenty-seven; a knowledge of these is also very necessary for the proper understanding of the descriptions given in the Sanskrit texts printed in this Appendix. An explanatory list of those names is accordingly given below :—