Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c33.s8: Īśāna
Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c33.s8
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Īśāna
v4.c33.s8.1
The lord of the north-east region of the universe is Īśāna. From the description given of him, we know he is the same as Mahādēva or Śiva. Īśāna should have three eyes, a pacific appearance, white complexion and should be draped in white garments and in tiger's skin. His head should be adorned with a *jaṭā-makuṭa*, his chest should bear an ordinary white *yajñōpavīta* or a *nāga-yajñōpavīta* and otherwise also adorned with all ornaments. There should be the crescent moon on the *jaṭā-makuṭa*. He may be seated either on a *padmāsana* or better upon a white bull. If he is represented with only two arms, his hands must carry a *triśūla* and a *kapāla* or one of the hands (the left one generally) might be in the *varada* pose; if, however, he has four hands, the two front ones should be sculptured as playing upon a *vīṇā* and the others are to be held in the *varada* and *abhaya* poses. This description seems to be incorrect; for the *vīṇā* must be held only by the hands of the front pair of arms, which are also the very hands that are necessarily to be in the *varada* and *abhaya* poses.
v4.c33.s8.2
∗ Mr. V.A. Smith calls this male figure 'Sarasvati enthroned' evidently through oversight. The mongoose in the left hand of the figure, and the three ornamented pots of treasure placed under its feet clearly show that the sculpture represents Kubēra.