Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c74.s2.66

v2.c74.s2.66

Thus the model of the image is the model of the man himself. Therefore, the proportions of height, length, breadth, girth, together with various limbs of the body of the image to be fashioned out from head to foot, correspond to those of the standard types of men. Iconometrical measurements of the images of the gods to be fashioned out in sculpture and painting are akin to those of men. Our Sāstras believe in five different types of men and Samarāṅgaṇa-Sūtradhāra has assigned a separate chapter to this subject (cf. Pañcapuruṣa-Strīlakṣaṇa, the 81st chapter) wherein the author has not only described the five different types of men but also five different types of women. These five different types of men and women serve the models for the iconographer in fashioning out the different deities, gods and goddesses together with their accessories—the dami-gods and their opponents, the demons.