Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c35.1

v4.c35.1

HINDU mythology includes in its fold a number of minor gods such as the *rishis*, *pitris* and *nāgas*. A brief account and the description of the images of these will be given in the following paragraphs. The figures of *rishis*, *apsarasas* and others are, according to the *āgamas*, required to be placed in Hindu temples, and as such are not mere mythological curiosities having theoretical existences and possessing imaginary descriptions. We meet with their representations here and there in temples and the description of these is not to be considered out of place in a work of this kind. Besides, the present compilation being a close following of the *āgamas* both in arrangement and description, the existence of the descriptions of these demi-gods in the *āgamas* necessitates the incorporation of such descriptions in the present publication also. Among the heading the demi-gods are included in this chapter the following:—