Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c32.5

v4.c32.5

The Rūpamaṇḍana says that the four peaceful looking faces of Brahmā are symbolic of the four Vēdas, the four Yugas, and the four Varṇas. Formerly Brahmā had five heads, but one of them was cut off by Śiva. The four heads should be respectively facing the four quarters. Brahmā should have four arms; he may be standing, seated on either a padmāsana or a haṃsa (swan). The Śilparatna mentions another seat called the lamba-kūrchāsana for Brahmā; the phrase literally means a seat composed of long grass; it perhaps is meant to indicate a seat or mat made of grass. If he is to be represented as seated, he should be shown in the yōgāsana posture; if standing, then on a padma-pīṭha. The complexion of Brahmā should be chrome-yellow and the colour of his eyes a mixture of red and yellow (orange). On his head should be a *jaṭā-makuṭa* and he should be adorned with all ornaments; there should be on his chest a white *yajñōpavīta*. His body should be covered with a coat of white sandal paste and he should be wearing a garland of white flowers. A *kaṭisūtra* (or waist-band) should go round the loins. The undergarments should consist of white clothes and the upper portion of the body should be covered with a deer’s skin worn in the *upavīta* fashion. There should be golden or ruby *kuṇḍalas* in the ears. The *Suprabhēdāgama* states that the colour of *jaṭās* on his head should be of red colour and the *Śilparatna* and the *Viṣṇupurāṇa* would have the colour of Brahmā white and crimson respectively. The hands of Brahmā may carry the following articles or may be held in the following poses :—