South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c12.s2.69

c12.s2.69

Pedestals. The *Mayamata*, speaking of pedestals in general, says that they are triangular, half-moon-shaped, square or circular (?).¹ Nine pedestals (*pithas*) are mentioned by name, viz., *bhadrapitha*, *vajrapitha*, *padmapitha*, *mahāmbuja* (the big lotus), *srikara*, *pithapadma*, *mahāvajra*, *saumyaka*, and *srikāmya*. Of these, the first and the third are pictured on the accompanying Plate I, as Nos. 13 and 12. No. 16 on the same Plate, perhaps, represents *mahāmbuja*.