Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c26.45

v4.c26.45

*Skanda* : According to the *Kumāra-tantra* this aspect should be represented with one face and two arms and should be of the colour of the lotus. The loins are to be bound by a broad belt and the only clothing which this figure should possess is the *kaupīna*. The right hand should keep a *daṇḍa* while the left one should rest upon the hip (*kaṭyavalambita*). This aspect of Subrahmaṇya is popularly known as the Palaniyāṇḍavar. This is the description which is given in the *Śrītavatnidhi* for Vēḷāyudha-Subrahmaṇya. This latter work, however, gives quite a different description of Skanda which is as follows. This aspect of Subrahmaṇya is required to possess, as in the previous one, one face set with two eyes, and four arms. He should be seated upon a lotus flower (*padmāsana*). His head is to be surrounded by a *prabhā-maṇḍala*; on the head there should be the usual *karaṇḍa-makuṭa* adorned with a wreath of flowers; there must also be ornaments made of rubies and on the waist a broad girdle of fine workmanship. The front two hands should be kept in the *varada* and the *abhaya* poses while the back hands should carry the *kukkuṭa* and the *vajra*. The colour of this aspect of the deity is said to be that of smoke.