Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c32.37

v4.c32.37

The next illustration (Pl. CXLIV) is also from Aihoḷe. Brahmā is seated in the centre on a swan. He has in his hands an *akṣamālā*, a lotus (?), the *kūrcha* and a *kamaṇḍalu*. Surrounding him are *ṛishis*, three on either side, a young boy is taking lotus flowers in his hands to Brahmā and another is seen on the top right hand corner of the panel. The *ṛishis* are here represented as being very emaciated presumably by reason of their austerities. The photograph next reproduced is that of an image of Brahmā to be found in the Madras Museum. It belongs to the Chālukya-Hoysaḷa School and is a standing image, carrying in its hands an *akṣamālā*, *sruva*, *pāśa* and *kamaṇḍalu*. Here all the faces of Brahmā have pointed beards.