| Volume - VIII |
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| Culture Course |
IMAGE WORSHIP |
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| The Trisul or
trident distinguishes Siva; the Sruva or ladle, Brahma; Sakti or spear, Kartikeya; a group
of five arrows, the Love God Kama; the lute, Saraswati and the pot of nectar or lotus,
Lakshmi and so on. Certain postures of the hands of images of Gods have great meanings. Some deities hold the right palm outward and the left palm downward at waist level. The first is called Abhaya Mudra. It means God promises protection from difficulties. The other is Varada Mudra. It shows blessing, or the granting of boons. We can identify images by their ornaments and dresses also. Vishnu, Indra and Kubera are made to wear rich ornaments carved neatly on the body. The dresses of Siva and Brahma are ascetic.Lakshmi and Saraswati are carved with ornaments suitable for their high status.Kartik is dressed in warlike robes. Kali is fiercely dressed up. |
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| About Image Worship | ||||||||||||||||
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