South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c10.s2.1

c10.s2.1

The two consorts of Vishnu are Lakshmī (Wealth) and Prithvī (Earth). The former is seated or standing on a red lotus pedestal, has four hands, holds two lotus flowers in her upper arms, the other two hands being either in the boon-giving and protecting postures or holding a vessel and a fruit. She is said to have sprung from the ocean at the time of its being churned for nectar. The latter, Prithvī,¹ has only two hands of which the right is raised in the *abhaya* posture and the left holds the fruit of the pomegranate. Her left leg is represented also as stepping upon a pot of treasures. When Lakshmī accompanies Vishnu she has only two hands. Eight forms of Lakshmī, known as Ashta-Mahālakshmī, are recognized. Of these, Gaja-Lakshmī is the most popular. She is generally found figured on the lintels of door-frames, has four arms and is seated in the same posture as Vināyaka, on a full-blown lotus of eight petals. In her right hand she holds a lotus flower with a long stem which reaches her shoulder ring and in her left a pot of nectar. The two other hands of the goddess hold the *bilva*-fruit and the conch. Behind her are represented two elephants pouring water from two pots held by their trunks over the head of the goddess. The *Mānasāra* describes the same goddess with two hands as Sāmānya-Lakshmī and says that she is figured on door-ways. In the *Silpasāra* this goddess is called the two-handed Indra-Lakshmī. A fine representation of Sāmānya-Lakshmī comes from Mahābalipuram (fig. 118).² The central figure of the group is seated on a pedestal of lotus flower, whose open petals are seen hanging down and decorating with their edges the rim of another lotus pedestal at the base. Below this again is a floral design, also perhaps of lotuses, a bud in the middle and full blown flowers on either side. The goddess has two hands and holds in each of them a closed lotus flower. Two female attendants on the immediate right and left sides are seen lifting up pots of water which are received by two majestic elephants in their trunks (not fully represented) and poured over the head of the goddess alternately. The second female attendant to the left of the goddess carries a lotus bud in one of her hands, and the corresponding one to the right, a cup-like vessel, which in all probability is meant to hold the sandal paste, turmeric powder or some toilet requisite intended for the goddess. The head dress of the attendant women and the simple ornaments which they wear are worth noting and point to the modest taste of the Pallava times. The Sri-sūkta praises Lakshmī as “the goddess of Prosperity standing on the lotus flower, slightly bent on account of the weight of her breasts, having high hips, broad lotus-like eyes and deep navel pit, dressed in white cloth and bathed by heavenly elephants from golden pots which are bedecked with a variety of jewels, and holding lotuses in her hands.” Havell calls the picture from Mahābalipuram “Lakshmī arising from the sea” and describes it in Chapter XXI of his Ideals of Indian Art.