3d. The Image of Sarasvatī

Describing the image of Brahmā, the Agnipurāṇa lays down that the images of Sarasvatī and Sāvitrī should be respectively at the left and right sides of Brahmā’s image.^[1] The Matsyapurāṇa also prescribes how the image of Sarasvatī and Sāvitrī should be made with Brahmā. This Purāṇa refers that Brahmānī (Sarasvatī as either wife or daughter) should be made like Brahmā (brahmasadṛśī)^[2] in all respect to his iconic features. About the image of Brahmā, it says that it should be made of four heads and there should be a water-vessel (kamaṇḍali) in one of his hands. He should be made riding a swan or seated on a lotus.^[3] The image should have a site for oblation of ghee and four Vedas. To its left, there should be the image of Sāvitrī and to right that of Sarasvatī.^[4]

Besides these, in the Purāṇic age the theory of image-making had already been put in practice. This is clear from the following instances. Once, the king Ambuvīci, after having known the great powers of Sarasvatī, had a great regard in his heart for her and consequently, taking the clay out of the river Sarasvatī, made an earthen image (pratimā) of hers.^[5] Likewise, in the Vāmanapurāṇa, Sarasvatī is said to have been installed in the form of a liṅga at the Sthāṇu-tīrtha by Śiva himself.^[6]