South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c12.s2.22

c12.s2.22

He is surrounded by a circle of light, is seated on a lotus pedestal¹ and is supposed to reside in a quadrangle—evidently the quadrangular sacrificial fire-pit. In his seven arms he holds the vessels *prōkṣaṇi* (sprinkler), *srik* (ladle), *sruva* (spoon), *pūrṇa-pātra* (vessel full of water), *tōmara* (pestle), fan and the ghee-pot, required in performing a sacrifice. He has braided hair, red garments and a big belly and wears the sacred thread *yajñōpavita*. His vehicle is the ram and his banner, the smoke issuing from the sacrificial fire-pit (fig. 146). He is attended on either side by his two wives Svāhā and Svadhā. Hēmādri describes him as having a single face, three eyes, moustaches and four arms. He rides in a chariot drawn by four parrots and driven by the god of winds, Vāyu. His wife Sāvitrī is seated on his left thigh, with a vessel of gems in her hand. In three of his arms Agni holds two flaming tridents and a rosary.