Page:South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses.djvu/30

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CHAPTER II.

brahmā.

Brahmā, distinct from Brahman, the all-pervading Eternal Spirit, is the first member of the Hindu Triad. His principal function is creation. Independent shrines dedicated to him are rather rare. Still, figures of this god are commonly found decorating one of the niches in the north wall of the central shrine in a Siva temple. Images of Brahmā may sometimes also be seen on pillars, ceilings or other parts of a temple; but the one point that deserves to be noted is that though often pictured the god is not worshipped^[1] as the chief deity in a temple, like the two other members of the Triad, Vishnu and Siva.

Brahma images ; general type. According to Mānasāra, one of the standard works on sculpture, Brahmā is represented with four heads. He has, however, only one body and four hands. The image may be standing or seated and made of metal or of stone. The palm of the left lower hand exhibits the posture of conferring boons (varada) while the right lower indicates protection (abhaya). The corresponding upper hands hold the water-pot (kamandalu) and the rosary (akshamālā) or sometimes the sacrificial ladle (srik) and spoon (sruva). The following ornaments are seen in a finished picture of Brahmā: (1) ear-rings or pendants fashioned like the face of a crocodile; (2) the sacred thread yajnasūtra hanging right across the body from above the left shoulder; (3) the scarf (uttarlya) thrown round the neck so as to stretch down to the knees; (4) the udara-bandhana^[2] or literally, a girdle going round the belly; (5) necklace and torque; (6) armlets, arm-rings, wristlets, anklets, waist-zone, finger-rings set with gems, etc. His hair is made

↑ According to the Brahmavaivarta-Purāna he was cursed by Mōhinī not to receive any worship; see also below, p. 93. In the Telugu and Canarese districts we occasionally find temples dedicated to Traipurusha, i.e., the three gods Brahmā, Vishnu and Siva. Curiously enough the place of Brahmā is here occupied by Sūrya, the Sun god; see Babu Nagendra Naiha Vasu's Mayūrabhanja, p. xxiv. From the Nrisimhaprāsāda quoted in Tattvanidhi we learn that one variety of Brahmā is of the form of Sun-god.
↑ In the Tanjore inscriptions this ornament is mentioned as made of gold and set with gems; see, e.g., South-Indian Inscriptions, Vol. II, p. 189.

[1] According to the Brahmavaivarta-Purāna he was cursed by Mōhinī not to receive any worship; see also below, p. 93. In the Telugu and Canarese districts we occasionally find temples dedicated to Traipurusha, i.e., the three gods Brahmā, Vishnu and Siva. Curiously enough the place of Brahmā is here occupied by Sūrya, the Sun god; see Babu Nagendra Naiha Vasu's Mayūrabhanja, p. xxiv. From the Nrisimhaprāsāda quoted in Tattvanidhi we learn that one variety of Brahmā is of the form of Sun-god.

[2] In the Tanjore inscriptions this ornament is mentioned as made of gold and set with gems; see, e.g., South-Indian Inscriptions, Vol. II, p. 189.

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