Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c75.s3.88

v2.c75.s3.88

The Secret Iconology—A good many noted Mahāyānists were great scholars. They were not only great philosophers but also Paṇḍits of the day. Their leanings towards Tāntricism simply made Mahāyāna immortal. Tāntricism in its pure form is the sublimest of philosophy, loftiest of metahysics and the strictest of discipline. But when it became the property of the common men, it got degenerated. A word therefore is needed to be said on this high philosophy or the Vajrayāna view of the Vajrayāna-Buddhist images. All their gods are symbolic. A deep spiritual significance is attached to the colour, the weapons and āsanas. ‘For instance in Śāntikavidhi or propitiatory rite the god will take the white or yellow colour, in Pauṣṭikavidhi or protective rite the yellow colour, in Vaśyavidhi or bewitching and Ākarṣaṇa or the rite of forcible attraction, the yellow, green or red colour, and in Ucāṭana (destruction of dwelling houses) and Mārana (destruction of enemies), the god will be generally blue. ‘The āsanas have like-wise a spiritual significance: The Vajraparyaṅka attitude signifies meditation, the Ardharyauka and Lalitāsana signify serenity, the Alīḍha heroism, the Pratyālīḍha destruction and loathsomeness, and the dancing attitude in Ardhaparayaṅka signifies wrath and horror.’