Iconography of Hindus Buddhist and Jains

Author(s): R S Gupte
Publisher: D B Taraporewale Sons and Co Pvt Ltd

Page 75

HINDU ICONOGRAPHY
of the Sun, holding a whip in his right hand, and the reins of the horses in his left. The horses are seven in number and the chariot moves on a single wheel. To the right of the Sun-god, a female is shown standing, holding either a lotus or a fly-whisk in her right hand. To her right is shown a bearded man with protruding belly, carrying pen and inkstand in his hands. To his right again is shown another female, shooting arrows. To the left of the Sun-god are represented three similar figures, but the male one is without a beard and holds either a staff or sword or a conch-shell in one of his hands.
All these figures, except the two females shooting arrows, wear boots like the Sun-god. Eleven
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miniature figures, exactly like the Sun-god, are sometimes represented near the edges of the carved slab, generally five on cach side of the god and one over his head.
The Matsya-Purana tells us that Surya's two attendants are to be Danda and Pingala, with swords in their hands. The god Brahma is to be placed on one side with a pen in his hands. On no account are the feet of the Sun-god to be represented. Anyone who infringes this sacred injunction would be smitten with leprosy. Surya's body is to be covered by a coat of mail. He has a girdle called Paliyanga.
Sometimes, instead of seven horses, only one is depicted but with seven heads.