Essay name: Arts in the Puranas (study)
Author:
Meena Devadatta Jeste
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute Pune
This essay studies the Arts in the Puranas by reconstructing the theory of six major fine arts鈥擬usic, Dance, Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Literature鈥攆rom the Major and Minor Puranas. This thesis shows how ancient sages studied these arts within the context of cultural traditions of ancient India.
Chapter 4 - Sculpture in the Puranas
37 (of 64)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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- 214 - to its elevation. The pitha or the part actually occupied by the emblem should be of two such parts in height with a length commensurate with that of the linga. The internal space or cavity of the pitha (stool proper) should be divided into three parts, its breadth being equal to one sixth parts of its length. The belt or the girth round it should measure one third of its breadth and the depth of its cavity will be equal to or shall be 1/16 part of its belt with a gradual slope, the height of the stool being decorated with ornamental works. - 40 The pithas are of different varieties according to the
number and form of the different kinds of mouldings. The Matsya
purana (262. 6 - 7) mentions ten different kinds of seats with
their characteristics. They are Sthandila, Vapi, Yaksi, Vedi,
Mandala, Purnac andr膩, Vajra, Padma, Ardhasasi and Trikona.
are found in the texts on Silpasastras.
41 The se
In
While describing the general characteristics of the
pedestal, the Matsya Purana mentions that the five parts upto
Jagat are imbedded within the earth; the other parts upto
pattika are above the ground and on the upper most part of
pattik膩, a passage is to be made for the outlet of water.
the extant specimens of the Lingas also, the projecting portion
of the pitha of the linga really served the very useful purpose
of draining off the water profusely poured on its top to some
distance from its base.
The Visnudharmottara (Ch. 74) says, "the upper portion
