45 - Characteristics of pedestals and details relating to images

The Lord said:

1. Ishall describe the characteristics of the pedestal. The length is the same as that of the image. The height (should be) half of it. Itshould have sixty-four folds.

2. Leaving two rows at the bottom, the other partsshould be polished on either side as also inside.

3. Leaving two rows at the top, the other parts are polished evenly on either side and inside.

4. The rectangular space in between theseshould then be polished. The first two rowsshould be divided into four parts by a wise man.

5-6. The girdleshould be equal to one such part. The indentshould be half that. Leaving one such part evenly on either side a wise manshould leave on the exterior a breadth of a foot. The water drainsshould be at the top of each one of the three parts.

7. This auspicious and excellent pedestal (has been described) relating to its manifold ways (of construction). The (images of the) goddess Lakshmi and other feminine formsshould be made (to measure) eight (talas in length.

8. The eye browsshould be more than a yava (in length). The nose (should be) less than a yava (in length). The mouth (should measure) more than a small ball well distributed above and below.

9. The eyeshould be made long (measuring) three parts of a yava less than three yavas. The breadth of the eyesshould be made half of it.

10. The beautiful earsshould be made to be in a line with the corners of the mouth. Then the twoshouldersshould be made sloping by less than a kala.

11-12. The neckshould be one and a half kalås long and made beautiful by a proportionate width. The thighs, knee joints, the pedestal,should be broad. The feet, the hinder part, the bullocks and the hipsshould be made as prescribed. The fingersshould measure less than the seventh part of the above andshould be long and not crooked.

13. Theshank, thigh and the hip would be one netra¹ less in length. The middle part and the sidesshould have the same roundness. The two breasts (should be) fully developed and plump.

1. The measurement indicated by this word is not quite clear. Pro bably equal to two angulas.

14-15. The beastsshould be made to measure a tala. The waistshould be one and a half kalas. The other marksshould be the same as before. A lotus (should be placed) on the right hand and a bilva (fruit) on the left (hand). (Thereshould be) two maidens on the sides holding chowries in their hands. (The image of) Garudashould have a long nose. Ishall then describe those which bear the marks of a disc.

Summary of chapter 45 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:

This chapter presents the detailed iconographic canon for the various forms of Bhagavān Śiva. The Sadāśiva (five-faced, fifteen-armed) form — faces corresponding to the five mantra-s Sadyojāta, Vāmadeva, Aghora, Tatpuruṣa, and Īśāna — is described with the attributes in each of the fifteen hands. The dancing Naṭarāja form, with its cosmic symbolism (the drum of creation, the flame of destruction, the raised foot of grace, the gesture of abhaya), is described. The Ardhanārīśvara form — Śiva and Pārvatī combined in one body — is given its detailed iconography showing the male half with the liṅga and triśūla, and the female half with lotus and mirror. The Liṅgodbhava (Śiva emerging from the liṅga of fire), Dakṣiṇāmūrti, and Bhairava forms also receive treatment. The chapter affirms that each iconic form is a complete theological statement requiring no other explanation.