Elements of Hindu IconographyThis treatise is an early attempt for a diligent search into the origin, descriptions, symbols, mythological background, meaning and moral aims of Hindu images. The book is in two volumes, each volume again in two parts. Vol. I, Part I contains a long Introduction discussing among other things the origin of Hindu image worship in India, explanatory description of the terms employed in the work, Ganapati, Visnu and his major and minor avataras and manifestations, Garuda and Ayudha-Purushas or personified images of the weapons and emblems held by gods. Vol. I, Part II deals with Aditya and Nava Grahas (nine planets) and their symbolic features and images worshipped, Devi (Goddesses), Parivara-devatas, and measurement of proportions in images. Vol. II, Part I begins with an Introduction discussing the cult of Siva which is followed by such important topics as Siva, Lingas, Lingodbhavamurti, Chandrasekharamurti, Pasupatamurti and Raudrapasupatamurti, other Ugra forms of Siva, Dakshinamurti, Kankalamurti and Bhikshatanamurti, and other important aspects of Siva. Vol. II, Part II contains descriptions of Subrahmanya, Nandikesvara and Adhikaranandi, Chandesvara, Bhaktas, Arya or Hariharaputra, Kshetrapalas, Brahma, the Dikpalakas, and demi-gods. In addition the book contains 5 Appendices including Sanskrit texts of Parivaradevatah, Uttamadasatalavidhih and Pratimalaksanani. The treatment has been made interesting by profuse illustrations, the two volumes containing as many as 282 photographs of sacred images. |
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Common terms and phrases
according adorned appear artist association Asuras attitude authority avatāras became belong body born Brahmā Bronze Buddha called carry central century chakra cloth colour deity described divine earth eight evidently eyes face fact feet figure flower folded four four arms front gadā Garuda given gives goddess gods hanging head held Hindu hold illustration image of Vishņu incarnation India indicates instance kinds king known Lakshmi later left hand look Lord lotus means mentioned Narasimha nature objects offered origin ornaments Padma pāśa period piece of sculpture placed Plate pose possess praise Rāma relation represented respectively rest right hand right leg round rule sankha Sanskrit says sculpture seated seen serpent shown shrine side Śiva South standing Stone temple tion Trivikrama universe Varāha variety various Vāsudēva Vishịu wall weapons worship
Bibliographic information
| Title | Elements of Hindu Iconography |
| Author | T. A. Gopinatha Rao |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Motilal Banarsidass Publishe, 1985 |
| ISBN | 8120808789, 9788120808782 |
| Length | 1701 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |