Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c33.s2.5

v4.c33.s2.5

Agni should be of red colour, with four arms and three eyes and the hair or *jaṭā* of the head which should also be of red colour, standing on end and forming a sort of *prabhāmaṇḍala*. He should be seated upon a ram. The front two hands should be held in the *varada* and *abhaya* poses, while in the back right hand there should be the *sruk* and in the back left hand the *śakti*. If he is represented as having only two arms, they should carry the *sruk* and *śakti* respectively. According to another authority, Agni should be of the colour of molten gold or the red colour of the rising sun and be clad in red garments; he should have also moustaches and a *yajñopavīta*. In his hands he should keep the *akṣamālā* and the *kamaṇḍalu*. Where he is represented as possessing four arms, the *Viṣṇudharmōttara* states, he should carry in his right hands the flames of fire (*jvālās*) and the *triśūla* and in one of the left hands the *akṣamālā*, while the remaining left hand should be embracing his wife Svāhā. It also adds that Agni should have four sharp tusks and that his chariot should be drawn by four parrots and that the banner on it should be the smoke (*dhūmaketu*). The driver of the chariot of Agni is Vāyu. His consort Svāhā should be clothed in red garments, be smeared with *kuṅkuma* (saffron paste) and be adorned with *mātra* (?) and be carrying a *ratna-pātra* in her hand (that is, a vessel containing gems or one set with gems).