Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c74.s2.3

v2.c74.s2.3

This problem of the synthetic sttudy *i. e.* correlation between the monuments and the literature on the subject may be proceeded with historical chronology—the different periods of Indian history presenting evidences both in the literary sources and the the monumental remains. We may begin with Vedas. As already hinted before, the anthropomorphic descriptions of the Vedic gods and goddesses are material descriptions very valuable in forming their coherent pictures. This iconology therefore may be considered to be the progenitor of the later iconography as set out in both the sources of Art and literature. The descriptions of Indra, Sūrya, Viṣṇu, etc. as given in the Ṛgveda are full of iconographical features. All these early Vedic iconographical elements will therefore have to be valuated ahead when the Pratimālakṣaṇas of individual gods and goddesses are attempted.