Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c25.s2.5

v4.c25.s2.5

Īśāna, according to the *Rūpamaṇḍana*, should have the colour as pure as that of the crystal; his head should be adorned with a jaṭāmakuṭa ornamented with the crescent moon and his hands should have the akṣamālā, triśūla, kapāla and abhaya. The colour of the garment and the yajñōpavīta of Tatpuruṣa is to be yellow and in his left hand there is to be a mātuḷuṅga fruit and in the right one an akṣamālā. The face of Aghōra should be of terrific look, set with three yellow coloured eyes and the mouth having side tusks; on the head there should be a garland of human skulls and a snake, and snake ornaments everywhere; two snakes serving as the ear-rings, two others as *kēyūras*, one as *hāra*, one as *yajñōpavīta*, one as *kaṭisūtra* (the waist-zone), the snakes Taksha and Pushṭika as anklets, and so on; there should also be a garland composed of scorpions (*vṛiśchika*). The colour of the body of Aghōra should be blue like the *nīlōtpala*, and that of the *jaṭās*, yellow, and these should be adorned with the crescent moon. The general look of this aspect of Śiva should resemble that of Kāla (the god of death) and appear as though terrifying a host of enemies. The left hands should bear in them the *khaṭvāṅga* the *kapāla*, the *khēṭaka* and the *pāśa* while the right ones, the *triśūla*, the *paraśu*, the *khaḍga* and the *daṇḍa*. The colour of the body, the eyes, garments, the head-gear, the *yajñōpavīta*, the garland, the sandal-paste and ear-ornament of Vāmadēva should be red. As usual, the crescent moon should be adorning the *jaṭāmakuta* of this deity also. He should have three eyes and a prominent nose, be decorated with all ornaments and carry in his hands the *khaḍga* and the *khēṭaka*. The colour of the body, garland, sandal-paste and the garments of Sadyōjāta should be white. His head should be adorned with a *jaṭamakuṭa*, ornamented with the crescent moon. He should have a good-looking face expressive of joy, three eyes and two arms: the two hands should be held in the varada and the abhaya poses.