South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c8.s6: VIII
South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c8.s6
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VIII
c8.s6.1
Two other *avatārs* of Vishnu, viz., Buddha and Kalki may be noticed. The latter is only a prospective incarnation in which the god is expected to appear as a powerful hero riding on horse-back, sword in hand, to suppress the growing wickedness of the Mlēchchhas. The Buddha incarnation of Vishnu is, no doubt, counted among the ten *avatārs* but is rarely found worshipped in Hindu temples.¹ Buddha is
c8.s6.2
¹ The *Brāhmiya-Silpa* does not include Buddha in the *avatārs* of Vishnu. It mentions Krishna in the place of Buddha. The *Mānasāra* gives a complete description of the figures of Buddha which it says must be made of white stone, very much like the images of Jina (below, p. 262f.) seated or standing on a lion-pedestal under the *pipal* or the wish-giving celestial tree, with two hands, *ushnīsha* (crown), a yellow cloth, broad forehead, long ear-lobes, big eyes, high nose, smiling countenance, long arms, broad chest, fleshy limbs and body. When standing, his arms must be made to hang down loosely.
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BUDDHA AND KALKI incarnations.
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FIG. 30.—Krishna on the punnai-tree (wood); Kumbakōṇam.
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reminded by some, an aperture designed to lead the divine into the shrine, and for others, the aperture is meant merely as an ornament of the shrine to serve as a decorative element.
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FIG. 31.—Pārthasārathi teaching the Bhagavad-Gītā to Arjuna; Pushpagiri.
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regarded by some as an *avatār* designed to lead the *asuras* into ruin by giving them bad advice. Others like Jayadēva regard him rightly as an incarnation of mercy who came to teach the people the essential cruelty of animal sacrifices.
Linked texts (1)
- Mānasāra — Sanskrit