A STUDY OF INDIAN ICONOGRAPHY

The explanation of a number of technical terms which are usually employed in the description of images may well precede their systematic description. These terms relate first to the objects which images of Hindu Gods are shown to bear in their hands, such as weapons, musical instruments, animals, birds, etc. secondly, to the various attitudes in which the hands of images are shown, thirdly, to the postures which the bodies of the images are made to assume; and lastly, to the costume, ornaments and head gear in which they are represented. The most important among the weapons are:Sankha, Khatvanga, Ankusa, Chakra, Dhanus, Tanka, Gada, Bana, Khadga, Parasu, Musala The sculpturing ofthe several objects shown in the hands of Hindu images differs from place to place; sometime they are not alike even in the same place. The simple, yet striking, representations of these in the early Chalukya, Pallava and other styles of sculpture are no les artistic than the minute and elaborate carvings of the later Chalukya-Hoysala School. Ghanta, Darpana, Akshamal and Pustaka etc. In the detailed description of these objects given below, only their important variations are noticed.