Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c73.151

v2.c73.151

With this generalisation we are now better fitted to understand the forms and modes of worship as a consequence of the great development, the image-worship, had attained in the religious life of India. All the leading sects—the Vaiṣṇavism, the Śaivism, and the Śāktism had their different codes of worship and not one but many volumes are needed to describe this great institution of Pūjāpaddhati. As the Sūtra-works codified the institution of Sacrifice, the ritual of image-worship gave rise to many learned Paddhatis. Here I shall be content to speak of those popular forms which were universal in character. The sectarian cults could never become the universal code of conduct in relation to worship.