Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c26.108

v4.c26.108

Another attendant of Subrahmaṇya is called Sumitra. His story is given thus in the Kumāra-tantra. There once lived a good brāhmaṇa named Svarṇāksha in Kāśi; he had a son named Sumitra who had been worshipping Skanda in due form during his three consecutive births. Subrahmaṇya was pleased with his devotion to himself (Subrahmaṇya) and gave him the name Sumitra (a good friend) and made him the head of the gaṇas and gave him a place near him. Then follows a description of the image of Sumitra; Sumitra should be sculptured according to the uttama-nava-tāla measure, with two eyes, two arms and a red complexion. He should have a fine looking face and should be youthful possessing side-tusks. The head should be covered with a karaṇḍa-makuṭa hiding his tuft of hair or a jaṭā-makuṭa. The right hand should carry the śakti and the left hand should be kept on the hip (kaṭyavalambita). Or, the hands may be kept in the añjali pose on the chest. He may be sculptured either as seated or as standing on a padmāsana.