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Vol. XXX, 2006
THE BRAHMĀ IMAGE OF CHOLA PERIOD...
103
Brahma has four faces represents four vedas, and four arms represent the four diretions -
Rig Veda Yajur Veda Sāma Veda Atharva Veda
Eastern Southern Western Northern
Brahmā carries water in a kamandalu and sacrificial ladle known as shruk and rosary (asksa-mālā). The lotus itself, suggesting the origin of Brahmā, who according to ancient myths, was born out of a lotus (Padma-yoni)
According to the Vedas of Krtā - karma and Kali - age he was Kamalāsana. While Matsya - puranā makes him ride a swan, Sāradā - tilaka and Vishnu - puranā provide him with a chariot and Vaikhananasa - pratisthānukramanikā makes him seated upon a lotus (padmāsanastha)
Among the mudras are abhaya, dhyāna, kati and avahana. The ornaments include jațāmukta, kirītamakuta., uttariya, kankanas, keyuras and so on. [The uttariya is marked with the head of an antelope which makes it krasnajina.]
THE BRAHMA IMAGE FROM L.D. MUSEUM
