South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c9.s8.19

c9.s8.19

Chandrasēkharamūrti² (the crescent-crested lord) may, according to the *Kāśyapa-Silpa* of the *Amsumat-Tantra*, be represented in two different forms, either alone or in company of the goddess Gaurī. When alone, he stands on the pedestal with level feet (*samapāda*), holding the antelope and the kettle-drum (or, axe) in his back arms and presenting the *abhaya* and the *varada* postures in the fore-arms. The crescent decorates the *jaṭāmakuta* of the god, either on its right side or on the left. In other respects the image is a pleasing representation (fig. 72) of the general form of Rudra described above. When accompanied by the goddess he may also be seated (fig. 73). The right lower hand shows the *abhaya* posture and the left lower passes round the back of the yielding goddess and touches her breasts. Some Agamas do not permit the hand to be stretched so far, but only up to the left arm of the goddess. The illustration from Bāgali (fig. 74) answers to this description but holds the trident and the kettle-drum in the upper hands instead of the axe and the deer. The goddess also with her right hand touches the right side of the waist-band of the god from the back and holds a flower in her left. She may also be seen passing her hand over his shoulder. Such figures of Chandrasēkhara are called Ālinganamūrti or the embracing form. They are also known as Pradōshamūrti, since in all well-maintained Siva temples, the image is carried about in procession in the evenings (pradōsha).