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South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c8.s1: I

South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c8.s1

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I

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Vishnu is the second member of the Hindu Triad. His principal function is that of the protector of the universe. He is worshipped in South-Indian temples in various forms and under various names. The general description of Vishnu without reference to any of his particular incarnations is given in the *Mānasāra* as follows:—He has four arms and two eyes, wears a high crown and a yellow scarf; on his breast is the auspicious mark *Srivatsa*; he holds the discus and the conch in his upper arms and the club and the sword (or lotus) in the lower and wears the garland (*vanamālā*) of flowers, reaching down to the knees. In some cases the lower arms exhibit the protecting and the boon-conferring postures (fig. 11).¹ A prominent nose, broad eyes and smiling countenance are other features of Vishnu. The goddesses Srī or Lakshmī (wealth) and Mahī or Prithvī (Earth) are usually represented on his right and left sides respectively.² The discus is generally held in the right hand and the conch in the left; but this arrangement is reversed in the case of an image found in the Bellary district (fig. 12). According to the *Kāsyapa-Silpa* the left lower hand of Vishnu may, without showing the *varada* or boon-conferring posture, rest on his waist freely (fig. 13) and the goddesses need not always be represented with him. Figures of Vishnu may be seen standing, seated or reclining. They receive different names in their different postures; but the Vaishnava symbols, viz., the discus and conch, the garland *vanamālā* and the auspicious mark *Srivatsa* always remain the distinguishing features of Vishnu. Fig. 14 from Āriyambākkam in the Chingleput district illustrates the sitting form of Vishnu with the goddesses Srī and Bhū and two kneeling devotees.

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¹ This figure shows, however, four more hands holding a bow and arrow and a sword and shield.

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² For a description of these goddesses, see below, p. 187. The *Pāncharātrāgama* mentions also the goddess Nilādēvī and describes her as seated with four hands in two of which she holds lotus flowers.

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FIG. II.—Vishnu (Ashtabhuja); Conjeeveram.

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FIG. 12.—Vishnu; Bellary.

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FIG. 13.—Vishnu; Paramesvaramangalam.

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FIG. 14.—Vishnu and his consorts; Ariyambakkam.

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