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ICONOGRAPHY OF THE HINDUS, BUDDHISTS AND JAINS
Khafvänga: A kind of a club made up of the bone of the forearm or leg. To the end of this is attached a skull. It is probably a weapon which comes from antiquity. Sometimes the bone shaft is replaced by a wooden handle. It may also have been used as a ritual wand. (Pages 15 and 16.)
Khelaka: A shield. It may be circular or rectangular. It has a handle at the back. The face of the shield shows a variety of faces and emblems. (Page 15.)
Kukkuta: Cock. Held by Subrahmanya (Kärttikeya).
Laddu or Ladduka: A round sweetmeat dear to Ganesa.
Mahālunga: A fruit held by Devi. Mayūrapiccha: Peacock-feathers. (Page 16.)
Mera: Ram. Carried by Siva in earlier images. Later images show a buck (Mriga). (Page 16.)
Mriga: Deer or buck. Siva carries a Mriga in one of his hands in later sculptures. In earlier ones he carries a ram (Mesa).
Musala: The Indian wooden pestle. (Page
terrifies the enemies of Vishnu. In sculptural representations, the conch appears plain or ornamental. In the latter case, its head is covered with a decorative metal cap, surmounted by a lion-head and having a cloth tied round it. Tassels of pearls may also hang from the sides. (Page 18.)
Sankha-pătra: A shell cut cross-wise, producing a spiral ring. Used as an ear-ornament. (Page 18.)
Sasah: Rabbit. (Page 18.) Srifala: Coconut. (Page 18.)
Sruk: A circular shaped sacrificial spoon. (Page 18.)
Sruv: An oval shaped sacrificial spoon.
Sūla: The weapon of Śiva. It may look like a javelin and have one pointed dart or it may be a trident.
Tanka: Chisel used by the stone-masons of India. (Page 18.)
Tomara: Iron club. Tridandi: Triple shaft.
Triratna: The Three Jewels symbolising the Buddhist Trinity of the Buddha, Dharma (Law), and the Sangha (the community of Buddhist monks and nuns)(Page 18.)
Triáūla: Trident, the favourite weapon of Siva. 'Trit means three and 'süla' means point. It consists of a long wooden handle topped by three sharp metal pikes. (Page 18.)
Upavita: Deer skin worn from over left shoulder, across the body and below the right arm, coming up again at the back to the left shoulder.
Vajra: The thunderbolt, the favourite weapon of Indra. It looks like a double-trident without a wooden handle. (Page 19.)
Vajra on Padma: Thunderbolt placed vertically on a lotus. (Page 19.)
Visva-vajra: Double thunderbolt. (Page 19.)
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Myrobalan: A fruit. (Page 16.) Nakula: Mongoose. (Page 16.) Padma: Lotus. (Pages, 16, 17.)
Parašu: Battle-axe. It is made up of a strong biade of steel fitted to a wooden handle. The blade is curved and may have a hole at one end to fit onto the wooden handle. In later forms the tip of the Parasu looks like a mace and into this the steel is fitted. In these later forms, the blade is small. (Page 17.)
Parigha: A kind of club.
Pasa: A noose of ropes. In sculptural representations, two or three ropes are shown tied together in a single or double loop. (Page 17.)
Pātra: Bowl. (Page 17.) Pattika: A layer of the pedestal.
Pattişa: A long steel rod with a very sharp point at one end.
Pustaka: Book. It is usually a palm-leaf book and is held by Brahmā, Sarasvati, etc.
Pustaka on Padma: Book on lotus. (Page 17.)
Sakti: Spear. It consists of a rectangular or elliptical and sharp metallic piece attached to a long wooden handle. (Page 18.)
Sankha: Conch-shell. This is the special symbol of Vishnu. His conch is known as Panchajanya, being made from the body of the demon Panchajana. It makes a frightening noise and
ASANAS (SITTING POSTURES)
Ardhaparyanka: Sitting with one leg folded and the other raised with the heel on the seat, the arın resting on the knee. Same as Mahārājalila.
Alidha: Left leg bent at knee, and right leg straight but slanting at an angle to the back. This is a standing pose.
Utkutika: A sitting posture in which the heels are brought together and kept close to the bottom, with the back slightly bent for comfort.
