Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c47.5

v1.c47.5

The chapter opens with the absolute measurements like 8 Paramāṇus being equal to one Raja etc. (cf. Chapter on Hasta, the 13th and for details see also the table in the Study, Vol. II). Then follow the proportions of the bodies of the gods and demi-gods etc. After this are given the interesting details regarding various forms of gods, demons, men, together with birds and animals like elephants, lions, tigers, serpents, etc. etc. viz. Gods have three forms—Cakara, Mut and Tīrṇaka; Rākṣasas, Durdara, Śakaṭa, Kūrma etc; Kinnaras, Mayūra, Kurbaṭa, Kāśa etc. the five-fold men, Haṁsa etc.; the five-fold women, Valākā, Pauruṣī etc.; the elephants Bhadra, Manda, Mṛga, Miśra etc. etc All these forms are characteristic of the exhuberance of pictorial art in early medieval times.