Volume - VIII
Major Sections
Culture Course

IMAGE WORSHIP
It is called Silpa Sastra in Sanskrit and Iconography in English. Icon means idol and so we are studying in this lesson something about this ancient science too.

According to the Agamas, idols are of three main types: the Achal or immovable, Chala-achala (the partly moveable) and chala (moveable).

The principal idols fixed in the inner sanctum of temples belong to the first kind. These idols are made of black stone, Saligrama, gems or wood as in Puri, or even mud.

These are called Mula Bera. They are not taken out.

This type of Vigraha or idol is either standing, sitting in yoga-asana or in reclining pose. God Vishnu alone could be made to recline.

"Tala" is the unit of measurement in making idols of Gods. It is the distance between the top of the thumb and the foot of the ring finger when spread out.

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