Musala

(“pestle”) A musala is a grinding pestle,
used with a mortar to husk and grind
grain. Miniature versions were used to
grind spices. Aside from its utilitarian
use, the musala’s long, club-like shape
could easily serve as a weapon. It is one
of the characteristic objects in Hindu
iconography, appearing with images of
various deities—the Goddess, Shiva,
and Vishnu.
450
Murti
The Illustrated Encyclopedia
of
Hinduism
The Illustrated Encyclopedia
of
Hinduism
James G. Lochtefeld, Ph.D.
The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
New York
Published in 2001 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
29 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010
Copyright © 2001 by James G. Lochtefeld
First Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without
permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lochtefeld, James G., 1957–
The illustrated encyclopedia of Hinduism/James G. Lochtefeld.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8239-2287-1 (set)
ISBN 0-8239-3180-3 (volume 2)
\1. Hinduism Encyclopedias. I. Title
BL1105.L63 2000
294.5'03—dc21 99-27747
CIP
Manufactured in the United States of America