Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c33.s8.1

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.