Symbolism in Indian Art
The parts of the body should resemble,
and be based on, similes drawn from plant or animal-life.
Sensuous lips are ripe and full like
the bimba-fruit; fingers likened to lotus-petals. Here the allusion
is not to the form but to the content, to the mood. It is a
suggestion and not realistic likeness.
Bodhisattva Padma-pani's divine face
has the shape of an egg. His shoulders are like massive domed head
of an elephant, and arms like its tapered trunk. His hands are supple
like a flower-bud.
simha-kati (body-of-a -lion)
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gomukha khanda (cow's-head)
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pada-pallava (feet-like-leaves)
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charana-kamala (feet-like-lotus)
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