Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c32.40

v4.c32.40

In the Madras Museum is preserved a beautiful bronze image of Brahmā seated under a *prabhāvaḷi*, whose photograph is reproduced in Pl. CXLII; this image has *kirīṭamakuṭas* instead of *jaṭāmakuṭas* on the heads. The front right hand is held in the *abhaya* pose and the front left hand in the *varada* pose; while the back right hand carries an *aksha-mālā* and the back left hand a *kamaṇḍalu*. Bronze images of Brahmā are very rare and especially the one like the Madras Museum image, which is an *utsava-vigraha*, is met with very rarely, if at all. This image clearly points to the existence of Brahmā worship, even with grand festivals and processions, as would appear to be unmistakably evidenced by this *utsava-vigraha*.