Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c35.s3.13

v4.c35.s3.13

śroṇi, the right thigh and the centre of the ankle, we see that the line drawn from the centre of gravity of the heavy figures of Śiva-Naṭarāja is made to fall exactly in the centre of the base, which is generally a broad padmapīṭha, mounted upon a bhadrapīṭha. The perfect stability of the image is thus secured. The projecting limbs such as the two out-stretched arms, the uplifted leg and the back of the body are so symmetrically arranged with reference to this line as to counterpoise each other and not interfere in any way with the stability. Now, if the image were to stand upon only one leg without any other support, there would be the danger of the superincumbent weight acting detrimentally to the strength of the statue; the frail leg may break at the ankle, if the image sustains any accident. To avert such a possibility, the presence of the prabhā-maṇḍala is insisted upon; the out-stretched arms, the large number of jaṭās issuing from the head, a long, flowing strip of cloth which is tied round the middle of the body and the crown of the head are made to touch the prabhāmaṇḍala and are attached to it, thus affording perfect protection from the danger of breaking at the ankle. It might also be noticed that, as a general rule, (a more or less perfect one), the two out-stretched hands and the foot of the