Iconography

The artisans, engineers and designers of Indian classical construction were part of the Vishwakarma community that bears mention in the traditional texts including the Vedas. Trained in the Vastu Shilpa Shastra, they have taken care of the art and design requirements for all constructed space such as temples, houses, tanks and ponds, arms and military equipment, vessels and jewelry. 

The story of Lingodhbhava is considered the origin of Linga (Sanskrit: symbol) worship in several references in Hindu iconography. Shiva appears as a flame of light to dispel the Ahamkara (individuality) of Vishnu and Brahma, reminding them of the futility of infighting since the underlying substratum is the same amongst them all. Understand in depth the symbolism of the most enduring symbol of Shaivism.

Learn about the symbolism of the cin-mudra, through an image of Dakshinamurthy or Shiva as the primordial Guru in the Advaita parampara. 

In memory of Thirukartthiggai which occurred recently, essay inspired by a story in the Sivapuranam rendered as a lesson in iconography using the traditions of the shilpa shastras as described in Elements of Hindu Iconography by T.A Gopinatha Rao.