South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c7.4

c7.4

According to Mānasāra, one of the standard works on sculpture, Brahmā is represented with four heads. He has, however, only one body and four hands. The image may be standing or seated and made of metal or of stone. The palm of the left lower hand exhibits the posture of conferring boons (varada) while the right lower indicates protection (abhaya). The corresponding upper hands hold the water-pot (kamandalu) and the rosary (akshamālā) or sometimes the sacrificial ladle (srik) and spoon (sruva). The following ornaments are seen in a finished picture of Brahmā:—(1) ear-rings or pendants fashioned like the face of a crocodile; (2) the sacred thread yajnasūtra hanging right across the body from above the left shoulder; (3) the scarf (uttariya) thrown round the neck so as to stretch down to the knees; (4) the udarabandhana² or literally, a girdle going round the belly; (5) necklace and torque; (6) armlets, arm-rings, wristlets, anklets, waist-zone, finger-rings set with gems, etc. His hair is made up in the fashion known as *jaṭā-makuṭa* and he is attended by the two goddesses ¹ Sarasvatī (on the right) and Sāvitrī (on the left).