Talabheda—Different measurements

The female forms are done with lean body, breast and heavy thighs using Dasatala measures. The author of SNgives the meaures as the Pisaca and the Vetalas are made by using the two Talas. The Saptatala is accepted for making the Kinkaras. Using the Tritala and Pancatala the Kinnaras and Vamanas can be made. Thus the Pratimas are made with their own characteristics. Here the Talas and the respective forms are unsuitable from the generally accepted table (given below) which shows some missing in the text. Eka Kurma Dvi Matsya Thri Kinnara, Kimpurusa Catura Bhuta, Monkey (Hanuman) Panca Ganapati, Balaskanda, Balakrsna, Vamana (also for some categories of Bhuta) 104

Rsis and other human figures. Sada Dwarf male or female icons. Sapta Asta Nava Dasa For superior sages like Kasyapa, Bhrgu etc. Most gods, goddesses and Buddha, Parasurama etc. also for Yaksi, Apsara etc. Brahma, Visnu, Mahesvara, Ardhanarisvara, Sankaranarayana etc. Goddesses like Uma, Laksmi, Durga, Sarasvati, the Saptamatrs etc.³ T. Madhavamenon comments that the Astatala images are depicable, they are never seen in Kerala. Usually the Pancatala is used for the images of Ganapati, Sasta and Child-gods like Balasubrahmanya, Balakrsna etc. The Navatala is used for male deities and the Dasatala for female deities, the contours of the female human figure, being more curvacious and complex, requires a finer separation of planes than the male figure. The author of Saivagamanibandhana, admits himself that he has not given any other deities because of the largeness of various forms of idols. Now he gives a general idea about various human figures of Siva. 105

Rudra The Rudra form of Siva is done with pleasing face and ten hands and three eyes. In the head there should be the matted hair as the crown and should have the crescent moon, snake as the Yajnopavita. The thighs are flexy and shines like Agni, dressed with the hide of a tiger, who is very young and pleasing, whose ears are decorated with the earrings, left hand holds the baton and sword on the right hand. The weapon includes Sula, Danda and Parasu. kuryadrudram tu saumyasyam parasunnca niyojayet / Yogesvara Hara In this form the left hand bears snake, sword, skull and he should be in the dancing form. Umesah Here Uma accompanied with Mahesvara is regarded as the aupicious one. Giving this much detail about Umesah, the author skip into the Ardhanarisvara form. He adds also that this type may be made 106

in the temples. Here also have three eyes, joyous face, two hands only, with the Yajnopavita and dressed very beautifully. The left thigh is occupied by Parvati, his left hand surrounding her shoulders. The right hand of Parvati on the shoulders of Siva. The left hand bears a mirror and her hair is adorned beautifully with flowers, the fore-head bearing a decorative mark, ears with charming earrings, shining garland on the neck and the upper arm decorated with bracelets. Eventhough Siva is with family should be seated on a single Pitham. In the Parivara form of Siva is in a standing posture either with four hands or with Parvati. Otherwise he may be with Skanda and Parvati in sitting posture. Vrsarudha The Vrsarudha form is with Nandi. With this Astagana and Ganesa also observe the Vrsarudhasiva. Thus the author concludes various human figures of Siva stating that these rules are only for the Bahubera forms. In the Padasila a groove is made with the same width as that 107

of the Brahma portion of the Linga, inorder to fit the Brahma portion firmly in the groove. The Padasila is made with the Napumsakasila and the Pitha with female stone. Napumsakasila The width of the Napumsakasila is equal to the length of the Linga. On the top of the Napumsakasila, there makes a pit with a depth of two Angulas, One Angula or Half Angula. In Tantrasamuccaya there is a classification of Uttama, Madhyama and Adhama types based on the measurement for the hole. If the depth of the hole is two Angulas it is Uttama, if it is one Angula it is Madhyama and half Angula it is the Adhama type. This classification is not mentioned in Saivagamanibandhana 108 Pithalaksana The height of the Pitha is divided into sixteen from which the Paduka is made with one portion, the Jagati with four portions, three portions for Vrtta and one portion for Vrttapattika. Two portion are used for the Patti above the Vrttapattika, one portion is used for the remaining Pattikas. One portion is made for the use of Jagati.

The Pranala should measure a length and breadth of one-third of the Pitha width of eight portions. The shape prescribed for the Pranala is octagonal or Caturasra. The Sthandila have four edges without the Mekhala (edges). These give different varieties of Sthandila. If it has two Mekhalas it is Bhadra, three Mekhalas is called Yaksi, Vajri for six Mekhalas, Padma for sixteen Mekhalas. Then the author admits that the four edges Vedi is acceptable to the Pratimas. While doing the installation of the Pratima, it should be with all its characteristic features. ***** 109