Note: f indicates illustration
Abhimanyu, 241, 241f
acharya (teacher), 161
importance of, 77–78
Indra’s, 207
life with, 162
Nandivarman’s, 29–30, 29f, 76, 77f, 78, 212–13, 225–26
patronage of, 59–60
protection by, 205, 212, 226
sculpture of Nandivarman’s enthroned, 29f, 76, 77f
Aditi, 208, 226–27, 352, 551n1
Brahma inseminating, 207
liquids of, 253–54
Agama. See Pancharatra Agama; Pashupata Agama; ritual practices; Shaiva Agama; Vaikhanasa Agama
ages
four, on Bharata, 112–13
porch representations of, 315–16
ahoratra, 564n11
on mandala, 110–12, 111f
porch representations of, 315–16
twelve murtis and, 564n11
Airavata (Indra’s elephant), 70–71, 150, 167, 257, 546n2
Ajita, 163. See also Hari as Ajita churns Ocean of Milk
Akrura. See Krishna with Akrura; Krishna with Balarama
Akupara. See Tortoise, Unbounded
Alvar poets, 18, 45, 60
amrita, 103–104, 163, 168, 170, 171f, 174, 206, 452–60, 455f
anandamaya, 43
Ananta (snake), 108, 165. See also Plower
meanings of, 379–80
panel, 377–79, 378f
story of, 376–77
Ancient Couple, 40, 102
Ancient Male, 198
Anga, Vishnu worshiped by, 249
anger, 159, 161–62, 198, 348
worship through, 285
Angkor Wat, 541n13
Aniruddha. See Unobstructed, the
annarasamaya sheath, 43
Antal. See Goda
anushtubh meter, 479–82
Approaching the Honey of the Lotus Feet, 118, 119, 120, 215–16
apsaras(es), 167
architect, 16–17
imperial, 28–30
Arjuna, 17, 32, 271, 272, 446, 447
arrow of Brahma, 158, 547n8
Ashoka (emperor), 62
Ashtabhujasvamin. See Lord with Eight Arms, The
ashvamedha, 128, 131
asura(s). See also demons; specific stories
grasping of, 154–55
Hari’s maya and, 181
impurity and, 126
lust of, 103
role of, ritual practices, 173
Veda stolen by, 328, 330
worship appropriate to, 118–19
atman, 36, 45f, 148, 149, 297, 445
in extinction into brahman, 202
attachment, Kapila’s teaching on, 389–90
avatara, 19–20, 21, 35, 86, 209. See also forms/formations, Vasudeva’s; murti(s)
awakening, 88, 172, 202–203
axe
metaphor for sharpening, 194–95
of nonclinging, 273
Rama of, 194
axes, directional, 109–10
north-south, 175, 176
Vishnu-house mandala and, 106–10, 107f, 115
Balarama, 34, 97, 99, 196, 197, 228, 230. See also Krishna with Balarama
dancing, 231f
Krishna and, 34–35, 132–39, 136f, 138f, 178–79
Plower as, 264
Bali, 235
fights Indra, 277–78
Nandivarman represented by, 213, 225
Narayana protects, 220–27, 221f, 223f
in Ocean of Milk churning, 167, 170f
receiving Great Unction, 207
in Tirumangai poem, 53
Vamana the Dwarf and, 28, 53, 116, 118, 119f, 209–10, 213–20, 217f, 352–54, 353f
Bana, 101
battles, 238–39, 276, 278
Pallava, 50, 52, 62, 80–81, 80f, 225
Bhadrashravas worships Hayagriva
panel/meanings of, 360–64, 361f
story of, 358–60
bhaga(s) (wealth/honor), 33, 34, 40, 93, 99
pairing of, 32, 112, 248f
Bhagavad-gita, 11, 36
Bhagavan. See also forms/formations, Vasudeva’s; God; Vasudeva
as Ancient Couple, 40, 102
birth of, 34–35, 178–79
human form of, 34
personal experience of, 214
slave of, venerable, 28, 62, 74, 75, 76, 354, 538n15
as Supreme Ruler, 48
Bhagavan honors Dhruva
panel/meanings of, 421–23, 422f
story of, 419–21
Bhagavan on Lokaloka
meanings of, 332–33
panel of, 331–32, 332f
story of, 331
Bhagavata(s)
emperor, Nandivarman as, 75–81, 75f, 76f, 79f
in “Summary of the Brahman Doctrine,” 495–500
types of, 491–95
Bhagavata Dharma, 106, 387. See also specific concepts
eighth-century, 16, 18, 21, 22–23, 26
essence of, panels depicting, 399
Jaina Dharma v., 21
Nandivarman’s teacher on, 29–30
six concepts central to, 31–46
Bhagavatam
origin of, 179
Shuka teaches Parikshit, 180
transmission of, 254, 379, 396–97, 444, 463
Vishnu-house as telling of, 357
“Bhagavatam of Four Stanzas,” 396–97
Bhagavata Purana
Kali Yuga described in, 334–35
narrative framing technique in, 177, 177f
Pancharatra Agama and, 10–11, 17, 27
Rishabha story added to, 19–20, 22
temples related to stories in, 18–22
bhakti. See devotion
bhakti movement, 19, 24–25
bhaktiyoga, 45, 200–201, 382, 390
Bharata (region), 382–87, 444, 564n5
before Kalki, 333
first ruler of, 249
four ages on, 112–13
Jambu/Purgatory and, 308–309
kingdoms of, 233, 237f
mandala of, 112–13, 237f, 238, 249
nine regions of, 309–10
Bharata (son of Rishabha), 368–72, 370f, 371f
Bhattachari, M. R. Sundaravarada, 9
Bhavani, 413
Bhava on Kailasa venerates Pradyumna
meanings of, 419
panel of, 417–19, 418f
story of, 412–17
Bhima (in Ramayana), 427
Bhima (royal ancestor), 73
Bhimapura, 73
Bhimasena kills Jarasandha, 234–36, 239
Bhisma, 239–40, 245
Bhumi, 88f, 93, 192
Bhutam, 315, 557n6
bird, kite. See Garuda
birth(s)
death and, cycles of, 155, 466
Jarasandha’s, 233
Krishna/Balarama, 34–35, 178–79
Prishnigarbha’s, 208, 219, 552n1
Prisnni’s, 208
Rishabha’s, 364–68, 367f
Shakyamuni Buddha’s, 468
black (color), 85–86, 196, 197, 298
Boar, 182, 227
Causal, 263
daytime of, 326–30, 329f, 374
Goddess Earth and, 244–45, 484–90, 488f
Yudhishthira as, 244–45
Boar rescues Goddess Earth, 244–45
Boar-skin shoes, Yudhishthira dons, 239–45, 241f, 243f
body
Brahma’s, 307–16, 558n7
causal, 91–92
gift of, 234–35
gross material, 43–44, 92
gross to subtle, Vishnu-house temple and, 300
human, transformations of God’s v., 89–90
long, 145, 273
Person of four, 148–49
body of God, 86
five sheaths of, 42f, 43–45, 44f
prakara wall/outer, 86
three dimensions of, 25–27
Vasudeva and, 105, 539n9
vision of, 32
bottom-floor sanctum, 28, 317–43, 345–72, 373–407, 409–41
cosmography map on, 310f
eastern side, 409–41
formations depicted in, 89–95, 90f
icon in, 28, 86, 298
northern side, 373–407
porch, 318f, 345–72
southern side, 443–90
spacetime and, 299–316, 310f
in Tirumangai poem, 47–49
western side, 317–43
Brahma, 48, 99, 228, 250, 269, 274f, 395–99, 398f, 484, 485, 489
Aditi inseminated by, 207
arrow of, 158, 547n8
body of, 304–16, 558n7
description of Bhagavatas, 492–94
ego waking of, 313–15
faces of, 222, 223f, 268
Kapila’s vision of, 39
Kumara sons of, four, 48, 99, 182, 250, 274f, 410–12, 411f
life of, rhythm of, 310–11
lotus of, 270
Markandeya’s vision of, 31–32, 35
panel sculpture of, 97, 98f
Pure Waters as containing, 302–306, 312
scripture as knowledge transmitted from, 301
sleeping time of, 305
Brahma flees to Bhagavan from asura progeny
meanings of, 425–26
panel of, 424–25, 425f
story of, 423–24
brahmamuhurta (Brahma’s hour), 111, 128, 313, 328
brahman, 32, 39, 43, 95, 271, 272, 445
extinction into, 88, 202
formations and, 91
fort of, 149
Shiva and, 166
splendor/ultimate reality of, 270, 555n8
Brahman Doctrine, 148–49, 167, 456, 460–73, 465f, 472f, 495–500
brahman priest, shrauta sacrifices of, 41f, 310
Brahma venerates Varaha, 326–30, 329f
panel/meanings of, 328, 329f, 330, 330f
story of, 326–27
Brahma worshiped on Pushkara
panel/meanings of, 410–12, 411f
story of, 410
brahmins as “fires” for oblations, 522–23
breath
discipline through, 161
Krishna as cowherds’, 199–200
prana, 44
sheath, pranamaya as, 43, 149, 254
Buddha, 21, 224, 468
Buddhism, 15–16, 21, 62–63, 224, 362, 364, 467, 470–71, 565n21, 566n24
Buffalo (Mahisha), 176, 276
Buitenen, J. A. B. van, 38, 182
bull(s), 78, 226, 544n34
Shiva’s emblem as, 165, 548n18
Cambodia, 72–74
Causal Boar, 263
causal body, 91–92
center of consciousness, 337
chakra (wheel), 85
Chandika Durga, 64, 176, 276, 298
Chanura the Wrestler
Krishna’s subduing of, 23–24, 139–43, 142f
as “Pallava Wrestler,” 24, 58, 141, 143
chariot, 292
Chatakopan, 24–27
Chattanar, Manimekalai, 101
Chatur Yuga, 112
Chera realm, 22–23
Chitraketu, 560n2
churning. See also Ocean of Milk
japa as, 174
circumambulation, 315, 557n6
circumambulatory, 87, 95–106
Citamparanar, A., 52–53
cobras, Plower with, 97, 98f
color(s)
black, 85–86, 196, 197, 298
God’s, 22, 33–34, 85–86, 105–106, 135, 196
Krishna’s dark, Nandivarman and, 135
Kuru battlefield, 238
mandala, 85–86
conch, 228, 230
consciousness. See also pure consciousness; unified consciousness
awakening of, 88, 172, 202–203
center of, 337
creativity of, 32, 34, 40
defilement of, 201
enstatic, 45, 46 (See also samadhi)
extinction mode of, 88, 202
final level of, cowherds and, 199–200
gopis and, 135
hamsa as, 562n18
hidden, 96, 545n6
householder’s, 155
male, Prithu as, 249
nonclinging, 194–95, 273
passion in, degree of, 105
poison from Ocean of Milk and, 167
purification of devotee’s, 126, 139, 148, 178, 196, 201–202, 230
seed of, Vasudeva as, 272
as sheath five, 254
“this is mine,” death of, 232
transformations and, 90
waking/normal, 148, 161, 196, 201
consecration
to eight-syllable mantra, 172
Man-lion, 479, 504–505
Nandivarman’s, 125–27, 133, 218
north-facing panels and, 131
temple, 63–64
as venerable slave, 74, 76
Yudhishthira’s, 233–34, 236, 239, 286f, 288
copper plates, 29, 50, 55, 538n18
cosmic deluge, 359–60
cosmography, 123, 301, 310f, 331–33, 361–62
cow(s)
Goddess Earth as, 517–19, 553n17
Indra of, Krishna as, 243–44
cowherds, Krishna as life breath of, 199–200
creation. See also spacetime
of populations, Brahma’s, 423–26, 425f
reason for, 32
sequence of, Vasudeva and, 297–98
Vasudeva’s, 32, 297–98
creativity
delusive, 86
God/consciousness nature of, 32, 34, 40
yogamaya as, 34, 40
crown, elephant-headed, 70–71, 72
cube, hidden, 88, 92–93
Daksha. See also Hari flanked by Rudra/Daksha
curses Narada, 384
rebirth of, 559n2
sacrifice by destroyed by Shiva, 166
Damodara as Ashtabhujasvamin. See Lord with Eight Arms, The
dana. See gift giving ritual
dance, 198
Balarama’s, 231f
petu, 101–102
tandava, Shiva’s, 201
danda (punishment), 79, 544n35
Dantavaktra, 181–82. See also Krishna attacks Shalva/Dantavaktra
Dantidurga (ruler), 20
darbha grass. See kusha grass
Dattatreya sits with Soma/Durvasas
meanings of, 450–52
panel of, 448, 449f
story of, 445–48
Dattatreya teaches King Yadu, 466–73
panel/meanings of, 471–73, 472f
story of, 466–71
daytime. See also ahoratra
of Boar, 113, 326–30, 329f, 374
death, 563n5
Anga’s son as, 249
Bhisma’s, 239–40
cycles of birth and, 155, 466
freedom from, 231, 423
purification, 232
deluge, cosmic, 359–60
demons (rakshasas), 54–55, 103, 108. See also asura(s); Ravana
Buffalo (Mahisha), 176
Vibhishana, Nandivarman and, 161
Vishnu kills, 277–84, 279f, 280f, 281f
design
panel, Vasudeva’s formations in, 410
temple, 10–11, 16, 17–18, 300
Vishnu-house purpose and, 16, 17–18, 300
desire (kama), 155
anger and, 103
erotic, 181, 435
gopis’ erotic, 181
deva(s), 445
in Bharata mandala, 237f, 238
directions as presided over by, 106–109
maya and, 181
Mohini serves amrita to, 452–60, 455f
role of, ritual practices, 173
worship for asuras v., 118–19
Devahuti, 389–90
Devaki, 34, 35, 228
Devapi. See Kalki, panels depicting
Devi, 37–38, 264, 413
Shiva and, Markandeya visited by, 401–403
Tamil, 40
devotee(s) (sadhaka), 293, 351, 380, 509–10
anger of, 285
awakening of, 88, 172, 202–203
becoming, 196
consciousness purification of, 126, 139, 148, 178, 196, 201–202, 230
devas as within, 445
focus on God of, 181, 231, 285
gopis’ longing as perception of, 135
Kapila’s description of, 561n13
Man-lion/Hiranyakashipu and, 178
Narada’s model, 382
Ocean of Milk as mind of, 172
refuge in God of, 202, 219, 353–54
royal, 230
sheaths of, 149
devotion (bhakti), 335
bhakti movement, 19, 24–25
bhaktiyoga, 45, 200–201
fear/anger/desire as, 181
gopis’, 133–35
Jarasandha’s, 234
Kamsa’s, 231
Nandivarman’s, 133–34
true, Rama teaching, 433
dhama parama (Highest Home), 17, 37, 306
Dhanvantari, 168, 170, 171, 548n26
Dharmas, 16. See also Bhagavata Dharma
Jaina, 19–21
Dhruva, 107. See also Bhagavan honors Dhruva
and Ganga, 414
realms above and below, 307–308
dhyana (inner vision), 45–46, 325, 380, 436–39, 457
diksha. See consecration
directions, cardinal. See also orientation, Vishnu-house
axes of, Ramayana/Mahabharata and, 109–10
color associated with, 85–86
devas presiding over, 106–109
formations and, 90f
Vishnu-house mandala and axes of, 106–10, 107f, 115
Dirghatamas (seer), 33, 86
discipline. See Rama disciplines Ocean; sadhana
disorder
Brahma’s prayer and, 269
mandala, 237f, 238
Diti seduces Kashyapa, 109
doctrine. See also specific texts
Brahman, 148–49, 167, 456, 460–73, 465f, 472f
of dependence, 23
of formation, 40–41
fullness, 35
gunas, three, 178, 409, 417
karma, 468
Path of the Southern, 104–105, 118f, 216, 255, 294
Dravida region, 22–23
Durga, 63–64, 65f, 176
Chandika, 176
Durvasas, Dattatreya sits with Soma and, 445–52, 449f
Duryodhana, 245
Dvapara Yuga, 22, 105, 444
Dwarf. See Vamana the Dwarf
earth. See also Bharata
as cow, 517–19; 553n17
Goddess, 163, 167, 193, 227, 244–45, 263, 468–69, 484–90, 488f, 552n5
as Patala, 564n6
representations of, on porch/vimana, 312–16
ego, 233, 263, 313–15
elephant. See also Gajendra
cult of in West Asia, 543n26
headed crown, 70–71, 72, 543n25
Indra’s, 70–71, 150, 167, 257, 546n2
Kamsa’s (Kuvalaypida), 126–27, 140
as royal emblem, 156
emperor(s). See also Nandivarman Pallavamalla; Vishnu-house, Emperor’s
Ashoka, 62
Buddhist, 62–63
Nandivarman as, Vishnu-house name interpretation of, 28
Emusha the Boar, 244–25. See also Boar rescues Goddess Earth
enstatic consciousness (samadhi), 45, 46, 130, 207, 388, 439
exile
Nandivarman’s, 60–63, 245
Yudhishthira’s, 245
extinction into brahman (brahmanirvana), 88, 202
Father, God as Mother and, 37–40, 102, 539n9
fear, as means of God attainment, 181
feminine dimension, God’s, 37–38. See also Devi; Goddess
Fish (Matsya), 137, 359
foam, 278, 284, 556n12
food sheath (annarasamaya), 43, 254
formations in battle (vyuha), 50
forms/formations (vyuha), Vasudeva’s, 32, 35–36, 51, 270. See also panels, sculpted; specific forms
bottom-floor sanctum depicting, 89–95, 90f, 373
chronology of, 41, 95–96, 113–14
doctrine of, 40–41
Hari’s teaching to Narada of, 268
human person as God’s inverted, 89–90
interior, 88–89, 113–14, 125, 128, 135, 212, 218
as matter modifications, 137
sanctum depicting, three-storied, 90–93
twelve murtis, 113–14, 114f
Vishnu-house path, overview of, 301
fort of brahman, 149
frames, narrative, 177, 177f, 178–79, 189–96
gahana (depths), 58, 67, 73
Gajendra (elephant), 50, 150–56, 153f, 154f, 202, 327, 414–15
Gandhamadana Mountain, 265
Ganga River, 99, 116, 158, 159, 162, 308, 474, 552n3
Dwarf and, 304, 414–15
spacetime and, 304
garbhagriha. See sanctum(s)
Garuda, 116, 125, 152, 154f, 196, 201, 217, 278–79, 292, 393
Gayatri vow, 37, 228
ghatika. See learning center, Kanchipuram’s
gift giving ritual (dana), 62–63, 209–10, 468, 552n2
body as, 234–35
God. See also Bhagavan; body of God; deva(s); forms/formations, Vasudeva’s; specific names of God
activity within, 39
attaining, fear/desire/hate for, 181, 182
colors of, 22, 33–34, 85–86, 105–106, 135, 196
as father/mother, 37–40, 539n9
feminine dimension of, 37–38
focus on, devotees’, 181, 231, 285
kingdom of, 306
kingship and, 141, 143
mantras as sounds of, 270, 326
perception of, 105, 202, 380, 406
as person, 31–37, 41–45, 42f, 45f
as place, 37
poem’s use of emperor and, 47
refuge in, 202, 219, 353–54
self-delusion of, 99, 409
unseen aspect of/hidden cube as, 88, 92–93
Goda, 92, 314
poem to Kama, 435–39
Goddess, 176, 407. See also specific goddesses
creation sequence with, 297–98
icons of, sanctum, 88f, 93
as potency, 63–64, 81, 102, 298
of trade routes (Manimekelai), 16
Goddess Earth worships Boar
panel/meanings of, 487–90, 488f
story of, 484–87
Golden Clothes. See Hiranyakashipu
Golden Embryo. See Hiranyagarbha
Gopala Krishna, 51, 54–55, 131, 147, 242
in Tirumangai poem, 51, 54
gopis, 133–35, 181
Govardhana Mountain, 242
Kamadeva plays “Krishna Holding up,” 433–41, 440f
Govinda, 242–43, 244, 299
grants, 29, 61, 75, 78, 541n9
grasper, 150, 153–54
“Great Romance,” 460–61, 468
Great War (of Mahabharata), 90, 238–39, 245, 275, 444
greed, 161–62, 255–56
ground plan
prakara wall, 6–7, 6f
Vishnu-house, 86, 87f, 544n1
gunas. See threads
Hanuman, 103
Hanuman worships Rama in Kimpurusha
panel/meanings of, 431–33, 432f
story of, 426–33, 432f
Hari, 181, 473–84. See also Krishna
forms/creation teaching of, manifest/unmanifest, 268
God’s color as, 33–34, 86
promise of, 151–52
rescues Gajendra, 150–56, 153f, 154f
Hari announces Kapila’s birth to Kardama, 387–95, 394f
panel/meanings of, 393, 394f, 395
story of, 388–93
Hari as Ajita churns Ocean of Milk, 163–74, 169f–71f, 547n14, 547n15
meanings of, 172–74
panel of, 168–74, 169f–71f
poison produced from, 164, 165, 166, 167, 547n17
seven items from, 167
story of, 163–68, 173, 547n14, 547n15
Hari as Madhusudana
meanings of, 276–77
panel of, 273–76, 266f, 274f, 275f
story of, 265–73
Hari flanked by Rudra/Daksha, 350f, 351, 352–55
panel/meanings of, 350f, 351, 352–55
story of, 346–51
Harishchandra, Shunashepa and, 234
Hari teaches Brahma secret of omniscience, 395–99, 398f
panel/meanings of, 397–99, 398f
story of, 395–97
Hari wrestles Chanura. See Krishna wrestles Chanura
hate, 181
of Krishna, 182
Hayagriva (horsehead), 328, 330, 363. See also Bhadrashravas worships Hayagriva
Buddhism and, 362
as Plower, 362
Hiranyagarbha (Golden Embryo), 109, 184, 207
Hiranyakashipu (Golden Clothes), 109, 181–89. See also Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu; Prahlada
Hiranyaksha, 109, 182, 262, 484–85
Hiranyavarman, 57–58, 59, 66–67, 70, 72–74
history lesson, Shuka’s, 334–37
honor. See bhaga(s)
horses, 127–32, 129f, 239, 337. See also Hayagriva
from Ocean of Milk, 167
sacrifice of, 116, 128, 129f, 130, 248–56, 252f, 552n3, 559n7
Hrishikesha (Ruler of the Senses), murti/panel
of, 205, 206f
hunter, story of, 161–62
icon(s), 17, 80
goddess, 88f, 93
reclining/middle floor, 87, 88f, 116, 298
as Shakti, 298
sitting/bottom floor, 28, 86, 298
standing/top-floor, 79, 87, 92, 298, 544n2
three postures of, 24–26, 539n21
west-facing Vasudeva formation, 93, 94f
with Bali/Upendra, 353f
Ila, 413–14
Ilankovatikal, Chilappatikaram, 101
Ilavrita region, 414
Imperial Architect, Vishnu-house name as, 28–30
India. See Bharata
Indra, 106, 107f, 173–74, 253, 399
of cows, Krishna as, 243–44
elephant of (Airavata), 70–71, 150, 167, 257, 546n2
panel depicting, 169
Person of four bodies and, 149
rains of, winter solstice and, 434, 563n4
teacher of, 207
vajra of, 278, 283–84, 548n22
Indra disrupts King Prithu’s horse sacrifice, 248–56, 252f
meanings of, 253–56
panel of, 251–56, 252f
story of, 248–51
Indra of men/people, 131, 519–21
Nandivarman’s unction/title as, 59, 67–70, 68f, 81, 176, 226
inner vision. See dhyana
inscriptions, 28, 52, 66–67, 74–75, 81
Jada Sumati, 446–48
jagrat. See waking consciousness
Jainas/Jaina Dharma, 19–21
Jain temples, Kanchipuram’s, 16
Jambu continent, 308–309, 342
japa, 155, 173
churning as, 174
Jarasandha, 232–33, 235–36
Jaya and Vijaya, 109, 182, 289, 293. See also Vaikuntha appears to Kumaras
Jinasena, Adipurana, 19–20, 21
jiva (soul), 44
inner sanctum as, 86
joy (anandamaya) sheath, 43
Kacci, 47. See also Kanchipuram
Kailasa. See Bhava on Kailasa venerates Pradyumna
Kailasanatha Temple, 3, 15
Kaitabha (anger), 266f, 269, 274f
kalakuta. See poison
Kalanemi, 83, 282, 286, 294
Kali, 80–81, 298
sacrifice to, 562n19
Kalikanri. See Tirumangai
Kaliya the snake, 51, 147
Krishna dances on, 196–203, 200f
wives of, 198–99
Kali Yuga, 22, 101, 178, 334–35, 366, 368, 444
bhaktiyoga in, 46
color of God in, 22, 105
protection in, best, 475
ritual practices in, 37
Kalki, 123, 317, 339–40
panels depicting, 337–48, 338f, 339f
stories of, 333–37
kalpataru trees, five, 257, 554n3
kama. See desire
Kamadeva plays “Krishna Holding up Govardhana”
meanings of, 441
panel of, 439–41, 440f
story of, 433–39
Kamsa, 35, 126–27, 131, 136f, 139, 140, 141, 143f
devotion of, 231
Jarasandha and, 232–33
Krishna slays, 227–39, 229f
Kanchipuram, 15–16, 47, 57, 58, 362
invasion of, 57, 61, 74
modern, 16
religions of, in eighth century, 16
Kapila (seer), 39, 363, 389–90, 393, 395. See also Hari announces Kapila’s birth to Kardama
Karabhajana, 22, 23
Kardama. See Hari announces Kapila’s birth to Kardama
Karkotaka, 201
karma doctrine, 468
Kashyapa, 109, 164, 173, 349
Kataka clan. See Khatakka clan
Kataka Muttaraiyar, 541n8
Kaveri region, 22
Keshava murti
meanings of, 128–32, 129f, 132f
panel of, 128–32, 129f
story of, 127–32, 129f
Keshin. See Krishna slays Keshin
Ketumala. See Kamadeva plays “Krishna Holding up Govardhana”
Khatakka clan, 71–72
khatvanga staff, 52–53, 76, 176, 323–24, 500n12, 557n3
Kimpurusha. See Hanuman worships Rama in Kimpurusha
king(s), 235, 245, 263–64
divine power of, 58, 141, 143
greed of, 255–56
imprisoned, 20, 800, 236
purification of, 263
rajasuya for engendering, 38, 67, 69, 227, 553n11
search for new, 66–67
symbol of authority of, 156
kite bird. See Garuda
Kosala, 430–31
Kotai. See Goda
Krauncha, 163
Krishna, 10, 17, 130, 199–200, 243–44. See also Gopala Krishna; Hari; icon(s); Narayana
Balarama and, 34–35, 132–39, 136f, 138f, 178–79
Bhisma and, 239–40, 245
forms/true identity of, 35–36
gopis’ longing for/clinging to, 133–35
hate of, 182
icon, 80
murtis of, 133–39, 134f, 136f, 138f
Nandivarman and, 17, 23–24, 141, 143
as Narayana, 34–37, 92
as Ruler of Yoga’s Ruler, 197, 550n15
Shiva v., 201, 222
sovereign rule of, establishment of, 263–64
teachings to Arjuna of, 32, 271, 272
in Tirumangai’s poem, 48, 49, 51
wives of, 233, 263–64
yogic praxis of, 380
Krishna as Victorious Madhava, 136f, 138f, 139–45, 142f–44f
Krishna attacks Shalva/Dantavaktra
meanings of, 292–94
panel of, 289–94, 290f, 291f
story of, 288–89
Krishna dances on Kaliya the Snake
panel depicting, 199–203, 200f
story of, 51, 147, 196–99
Krishna in Dvaraka teaches Uddhava the “Summary of the Brahman Doctrine,” 460–66
panel/meanings of, 464–66, 465f
story of, 461–64
Krishna in Naraka’s Palace
meanings of, 263–64
panel of, 257–64, 258f, 259f, 260f, 261f
story of, 256–57
Krishna slays Kamsa
meanings of, 230–32, 233–39
panel of, 227, 228–32, 229f
story of, 227–28
Krishna slays Keshin, 127–32
panel/meanings of, 128–32, 129f
Krishna slays Shishupala
meanings of, 287–88
panel of, 285–88, 286f, 290f, 291f
story of, 284–85
Krishna Story (Krishnakatha), 36, 37, 71, 97, 99, 101. See also Hari; panels, sculpted; specific Krishna stories
panel condensing entire, 202–203
panel encoding end of, 452
Krishna with Akrura
meanings of, 135
panel of, 133–35, 134f
Krishna with Balarama
meanings of, 141, 143
panel of, 135, 136f, 138f, 139
Krishna wrestles Chanura
panel/meanings of, 141–43, 142f
story of, 139–40
Krita Yuga, 267
Kshatriyas, 131, 237
Kumaras, Vaikuntha appears to, 355–58, 357f
Kuru battlefield, 238–39
kusha grass, 157, 547n7
labels. See inscriptions
Lakshmana, Rama’s banishing of, 429–30
Lakshmi, 37, 79, 131, 249, 297, 302, 306, 307, 345, 450
language of twilight, 457, 468
learning center (ghatika), Kanchipuram’s, 69–70
lineage
Nandivarman’s, 57–58, 59, 70–71, 540n4
seers’, 249, 461
Shaiva Agama, 450
Linga of Five Faces prayer, 165–66
lion(s), 137
color of male, 86
Durga’s, 65f, 176
form, 51
in Mamallapuram, 65f
man-, 86, 119, 125–27
Pallava-style, 64f, 176
sculpted, 63–64, 64f, 395
Vishnu as, 86
Lokaloka, 312
Bhagavan on, 331–33, 332f
Lord of senses (Kamadeva), 434, 436, 441
Lord with Eight Arms (Damodara as Ashtabhujasvamin), The
meanings of, 125–27
panel of, 123–27, 124f, 545n1
lotus, 106, 113, 120, 121f
Brahma’s, 270
formation of, 50
Pushkara continent as, 313
lust
asura, 103
demon, Gopala Krishna’s subduing of, 54–55
seven bulls as, 226
Madhava. See Krishna as Victorious Madhava
Madhu (desire), 266f, 269, 274f
Madhusudana, 265–73, 276
panel/murti of, 266f, 273–77, 274f, 275f
Mahabharata, 27, 40, 158. See also specific stories
Mahadeva, 166
Mahalingam, T. V., 50, 58, 60, 61–62, 72, 74
Mahendravarman (Pallava king), 201
Mahisha. See Buffalo
male, pregnant, 100–101, 444
Mali. See Vishnu kills Mali, Sumali, and Malyavan
Malyavan. See Vishnu kills Mali, Sumali, and Malyavan
manasmaya, 43
mandala, 6, 318f, 319f
axes of, 106–10, 107f, 115
Bharata, 112–13, 237f, 238, 249
brahman priest of shrauta sacrifices, 41f
chakrabja, 85–86
chronology and, 110–14
day/night on, 110–12, 111f
disordered, 237f, 238
four sides of, 111–12
overview of, 317–20, 318f, 319f
Paramecchuravinnagaram, 6–7
person-sheaths of, five, 44f
vastu purusha and, 558n7
Vishnu-house as, 18, 85–86, 88, 89f, 106–14, 107f, 111f, 114f, 317–20, 318f, 319f
walking through, worship as, 18
Mandara mountain, 164, 322, 546n14
panel depicting, 168
Manimekalai (Chattanar), 101
Man-lion (Narasimha), 86, 119, 125–27. See also Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu
consecration, 479, 504–505
mantra in anushtubh meter, 479–82
Prahlada’s worship of, 473–84
sadhana teaching of, 176–77
Mannai, 50
mantra(s), 48, 103, 172, 248, 270, 339, 373, 443, 450, 479
arrow of Brahma, 158, 547n8
Garuda as representing, 196, 201
in Jayakhya-samhita, 529–32
Madhusudana exemplifying, 270
Man-lion, 479–82
“milk” of, 172
Om, 36, 380
thirty-two syllable, 481
twelve syllable, 569n1
Manu term (manvantara), 120–21, 214
first, 248, 253, 255, 346, 365, 399, 400, 525
first six, 400
second, 265
fourth, 150, 163, 164, 186, 189
fifth, 155, 163, 164, 376
sixth, 163, 173
seventh, 113, 164, 174, 207, 255, 265, 360, 478
eighth, 215, 352
Markandeya, 31–32, 35, 158, 175–76, 182, 446, 468
Markandeya teaches about Nara/Narayana
meanings of, 405–407
panel of, 403–405, 404f
story of, 399–403
marriage
of 16,008 virgins, 233, 263–64
Dravida v. Vedic, 336
ideal, concept of, 394–95
Krishna’s, 233, 263–64
Rama-Revati, 264
Maru. See Kalki, panels depicting
material form. See forms/formations, Vasudeva’s; murti(s)
Matsya. See Fish
matter. See also prakriti
knowledge and, 297
modifications of, 137
maya, 86, 181, 250–51. See also yogamaya
metonymy, narrative, 289–90
middle-floor sanctum, 23–24, 87, 88f, 115–45, 117f
northern path of, 148–203
over view of, 115–16
reclining icon in, 87, 88f, 116, 298
southern path of, 205–45
Tirumangai poem correlation to, 49–54
two paths depicted in, 116–20, 118f, 119f
Milk Vow, 207
mind, 161
devotee’s, Ocean of Milk as, 172
as manasmaya sheath, 43, 149, 254
moat, 8f
Mohini serves amrita to devas
meanings of, 456–60
panel of, 454–56, 455f
Shiva enchanted by, 453–54
story of, 452–54
monkeys, 161. See also Hanuman
months, 435
murtis correlated to, 564n11
panels representing, 430
porch representations of, 315–16
moon, soma as, 106, 107, 107f, 450
mother, God as father and, 37–40, 102, 539n9
mountain
Gandhamadana, 265
Govardhana, 242, 433–41, 440f
Mandara, 164, 168, 322, 546n14
vimana shape of, 92
Mount Meru, 308, 342, 413, 419
spacetime organization and, 304
Mrityu, 249
murti(s) (material forms), 41
months of year and, 564n11
twelve, Vasudeva’s, 113–14, 114f, 564n11
“Nacciyar Tirumoli” (Goda), 436–39
Nagapattinam (Naga’s Port City), 147, 546n1
nagas, 61
Nala bridge, meanings of, 161–62
name(s). See also God; specific names of God
Ajita, 163
Balarama’s, meaning of, 196
Brahma’s four sons, 412
Goddess, 37
Kalikanri’s, 17, 47, 63
Kumbhakonam’s ancient, 51
Nandivarman’s, 59, 67
Prishnigarbha’s six secret, 212
reciting thousand, 155
Seven Seers, 123
Tamil, 40
varnas and, 569n7
Vishnu-house, 27–30
Nammalvar (see Chatakopan)
Nandaka, Krishna’s weapon as, 275, 276
Nandipuram, 51, 540n2, 541n8
Nandivarman Pallavamalla (Nandivarman), 18. See also temple-poem correlations
Bali representing, 213, 225
career of, 57–63, 64–75, 120
consciousness of, 135
consecration of, Man-lion, 125–27, 133
depiction of, Bhagavata emperor, 75–81, 75f, 76f, 79f, 354
exile of, 60–63
failures of, 74–75
future of, demon Vibhishana as, 161
intermarriage of, 20
Krishna and, 17, 23–24, 141, 143
lineage of, 57–58, 59, 70–71, 540n4
name of, 59, 67
Pandyan’s defeat by, 51
prakara wall depicting, 64–75
predecessor of, 8
purification of, 126
reign of, 4, 20–21
relationship with teacher of, 212–13, 225–26
ritual instrument of rule received by, 176
son of, 20–21
teacher of, 29–30, 29f, 76, 77f, 78, 212–13, 225–26
in Tirumangai’s poem, 47–56
unction of, 29, 38, 59, 67–70, 68f, 81, 176
Vishnu-house name as emperor and, 28
Yudhishthira correlated to, 245
Narada, 74, 130, 179, 182, 233, 265, 268, 387
devotee of, model, 382
Hiranyakashipu story told to Yudhishthira by, 181–83, 184–86, 188–89
teachings of, 383–86
Naraka, King, 256–64, 258f–61f
Nara/Narayana (rishis), 399–407, 404f, 560n3
Naranarayana/Narada in Bharata, 382–87
panel/meanings of, 386–87, 381f
story of, 383–86
Narasimha. See Man-lion
Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu
frames depicting, 178–79, 189–96
meanings of, 194–96
panels depicting, 175, 189–96, 190f–93f
Narayana, 31–32, 34–37, 149. See also forms/formations, Vasudeva’s; God; Vasudeva
four faces of, 221, 221f
potency of, Shakti as, 81
as pure consciousness, 297
in Tirumangai’s poem, 47, 48, 49, 50
transformations of, internal, 88–89
two dimensions of, 297
Narayana protects Bali, 220–27, 223f
meanings of, 225–27
panel of, 220–24, 221f, 223f
story of, 220
narrative frames, 177, 177f, 178–79, 189–96
narrative metonymy, 289–90
navel, lotus blossom from, 106, 113, 120, 121f
Nenmeli, battle at, 225
nighttime. See ahoratra
Nirriti, 515–16
Nishada, 249
nonclinging consciousness
axe of, 273
chopping with, 195
northern path, middle-floor sanctum’s, 148–203
north-south axis, 175, 176
oath (vitelvituku), 69, 323, 542n19
Ocean
meanings of, consciousness, 161, 196
Rama’s confrontation with, 54, 156–63, 160f
Ocean of Milk, 10, 17, 56, 109, 190f, 191f–93f, 276
churning of, 163–74, 196, 320, 452–60, 455f, 546n2, 547n14, 547n15
devotee’s mind as, 172
milk contents in, 164
seven items appearing from, 167
Om, 36, 119, 380
Om namo narayanaya, 48, 172, 248, 373
omniscience, 395–99, 398f
panels representing fortifying, 175–203
orientation, Vishnu-house, 8, 301, 538n21–39n21. See also panels, sculpted
icons, 86
mandala colors and, 85–86
panels by, 96–106, 98f, 100f, 104f
panels with east-facing, 99–102, 100f, 111–12, 133
panels with north-facing, 96–99, 98f, 111, 131, 345–46, 409
panels with south-facing, 103–106, 104f, 108, 112, 346
panels with west-facing, 108, 112
Padmanabha, 106, 113, 120, 121f
Padma-samhita, 85, 491–92
pakhanda imposter(s), 523–27
Indra as, 250, 253, 255
Pallava dynasty/rule, 3, 4, 17, 20–21, 64–75, 165. See also battles; temple-poem correlations
Bhagavata Purana and, 19–22
Pallava Wrestler, 24, 58, 141, 143
Panchajanya conch, 228, 230
Pancharatra Agama, 9, 10, 11, 27, 73, 450
doctrines taught in, 90
potency in, 78–79
Vasudeva’s transformation in, 268
Pandavas, 237f, 238, 239
Pandyas, 24
panels, sculpted. See also forms/formations, Vasudeva’s; murti(s); orientation, Vishnu-house; sanctum(s); sequence
Ananta the endless, 377–80, 378f
Avadhuta Dattatreya teaches King Yadu, 471–73, 472f
Bhadrashravas worships Hayagriva, 360–64, 361f
Bhagavan honors Dhruva, 421–23, 422f
Bhava on Kailasa venerates Pradyumna, 417–19, 418f
bracketed, 330–43, 332f, 338f, 339f, 342f, 373, 382–407, 419–41
Brahma, 328, 329f, 330, 424–26, 425f
as commentary on non-Vedic residents, 255
consciousness purification depicted in, 126, 139, 148, 230–31
corner, 409–19, 411f, 418f, 445–60
Dattatreya sits with Soma/Durvasas, 448–52, 449f
division of, 247–48, 410
eastern, southern path’s, 227–45
eastern side, 132–45, 134f, 136f, 138f, 142f–44f
events not depicted on, 74–75
fortifying omniscience represented by, 175–203
Goddess Earth worships Boar, 487–90, 488f
Hanuman worships Rama in Kimpurusha, 431–33, 432f
Hari, 152–56, 153f, 154f, 168–74, 169f–71f, 393, 394f, 395, 397–99, 398f
Hiranyakashipu tells Yama/widows story, 183
Hrishikesha murti, 205
Indra disrupts King Prithu’s horse sacrifice, 251–56, 252f
Kalki, 337–48, 338f, 339f
Keshava murti, 128–32, 129f, 132f
Krishna, 133–35, 134f, 199–203, 200f, 227, 228–32, 229f, 257–64, 285–88, 286f, 289–94, 290f, 291f, 464–66, 465f
Madhusudana, 266f, 273–77, 274f, 275f
Man-lion and Hiranyakashipu, 175, 189–96, 190f–93f
as map of cosmos, 301
Markandeya’s teaching on Nara/Narayana, 403–407, 404f
Mohini serves amrita to devas, 454–60, 455f
months represented by, 315–16, 430
Naranarayana/Narada in Bharata, 386–87
northern, 148–203, 345, 373–407
the Person of the Sacrifice, 367f, 368, 369f, 370f, 371–72, 371f
Plower formation, 96–99, 98f, 111
Prahlada depicted in, 185–89
the Pre-eminently Mighty formation, 99–102, 100f, 111–12
purifying deaths in, 232
Ravana’s ten heads, 224, 553n7
sequence of, 75, 116–20, 118f, 119f, 205, 245, 300, 315, 316
slit openings in, 380, 395
southern, southern path’s, 247–94
Sun over Plaksha continent, 341–43, 342f
Tortoise, Unbounded, 320–26, 321f
transforming power represented by, 148–74
unidentified, 226, 338
the Unobstructed, 93, 96f, 103–106, 104f, 108, 248, 301, 448, 450, 456
Vaikuntha appears to Kumaras, 357f, 358
Vamana the Dwarf, 206, 210–13, 211f, 216–20, 217f
Vasudeva teaches as Vaikunthanatha, 374–76, 375f
Vishnu kills asuras/rakshasa, 278–84, 279f, 280f, 281f
as visual texts, 149
western, southern path’s, 75, 205–27
west wall, 75
Yudhishthira dons Boar-skin shoes, 240–42, 243f, 244–45
Pani(s), 567n37
paramecchuravinnagaram. See Vishnu-house, Emperor’s
Paramecchuravinnagaram Mandala, 6–7
Parashurama, 194
Parikshit, 179–81
partha oblations, 516–17
Pashupata Agama, 73
passion, 105
Shiva’s, 453–54
Patala, 564n6
Path of the Southern Doctrine, 104–105, 118, 118f, 216, 255–56, 294
patronage
Jaina, 20–21, 60
Pancharatra, 73
Shaiva, 69, 73
teacher, 59–60
Pattachari, Sundaravaratha. See Bhattachari, M. R. Sundaravarada
perception of God, 105, 202, 380, 406
person(s), 270–71
Brahma’s creation of, 423–26, 425f, 429
of four bodies, 148–49
God as, 31–37, 41–45, 42f, 45f
inversion of God’s body, 89–90
of the place (vastu purusha), 558n7
praise of, 549n4
sheaths as, five material, 42–43, 42f, 44f
sheaths as three sets of bodies, 43–45, 44f
structure of, 41–45, 45f
Supreme, 31–32, 35, 136–37, 138, 180, 549n4
Person of the Sacrifice announces Rishaba’s Birth, The, 364–68
panel of, 367f, 368, 369f
story of, 365–68
Person of the Sacrifice appears to Rishabha’s son Bharata, The, 368–72, 369f–71f
panel of, 370f, 371–72, 371f
story of, 368–71
perumanatikal (venerable slave). See slave, venerable
Pervading Actor, 446
petu dance, 101–102
Pey, “Munran Tiruvantati,” 125
Pinnai, 54, 79, 298, 436
place, God as, 37
Plaksha (continent), 312–13, 340–43, 342f
Plower (Samkarshana), 41, 85, 90, 93, 96f, 97, 98f, 99, 108, 119, 119f, 131, 166, 301, 324, 362, 379
Balarama as, 264
death/birth and, 155
knowledge of, 149
north orientation and, 111
power of, 148–74
Shiva’s worship of, 415
Snake as, 10, 136
poem(s)
author of, 3–4, 17
Chatakopan’s, 24–27
composition of, 3–4
to God, Goda’s, 92, 435–39
Goda’s visualization recorded in, 436–39
gopis’ devotion in, 133–35
icon in, 298
“Munran Tiruvantati,” stanza of, 125
“Nacciyar Tirumoli,” 436–39
other, three sanctum references in, 25–26
poet’s name/title in, 17–18
temple structure correlations to, 7
Tirumangai’s, 3–4, 17–18, 47–56, 220
“Tiruppavai,” 92, 435
poison (kalakuta), 570n12
drinking of, Shiva’s, 166, 167, 196, 550n15
meaning of, ritual, 173–74
Ocean of Milk producing, 164, 165, 166, 167, 547n17
spilled, 167, 196
Pole Star. See Dhruva
porch, 345–72
bottom-floor vimana with collapsed, 318f
earth representations on vimana and, 312–16
potency (tejas), 49, 78–79, 80, 270
goddess, 63–64, 81, 102, 298
power(s). See also potency
siddhi, 324
source of kings’ royal, divine, 58, 141, 143
transforming, panels representing, 148–74
transforming, Plower’s, 148–74
vibhuti, 269–70, 554n6
Poykai (poet), 414–15
description of Bhagavatas, 494–95
Pradyumna. See Bhava on Kailasa venerates Pradyumna; Pre-eminently Mighty, the
Prahlada, 215–16
in Hiranyakashipu/Bali’s sacrifice story, 207
Man-lion mantra and, 479–82
panels/frames depicting, 185–89
Prahlada worships Man-lion in Hari region
panel/meanings of, 482–84, 483f
story of, 478–82
Praise of Person, 549n4
prakara wall, 17, 317
ground plan of, 6–7, 6f
inscriptions on, 66–67, 74–75
Nandivarman career/Pallava dynasty depiction on, 64–75
as outer body, 86
sculpted lions on, 63–64, 64f
unidentified panels in, 226, 338
western, 223f
prakriti, 42f, 270
prana. See breath
pranamaya. See breath
Pratiharas, 380
Pravarasena, 159, 161
prayer
Brahma’s, 269
Shiva/Linga of Five Faces, 165–66
Prayoga rites, 443–44, 457
Pre-eminently Mighty, the, 41, 90, 93, 111–12, 301, 413, 417
color associated with, 85, 105
panel sculpture of, 99–102, 100f, 111–12
pregnant male, 100–101, 444
Prishnigarbha, births/names of, 208, 219, 552n1–53n1
prison, 20
800 kings in, 236
Prithu, King, 248–56, 252f, 515–27
as male consciousness, 249
protection
in Kali Yuga, 475
teacher’s, 205, 212, 226
Punisher. See Kalki
punishment, righteous (danda), 79, 544n35
pure consciousness, 38, 148, 297
Pure Waters, 302–306, 312
Purgatory, Bharata/Jambu and, 308–309
purification, 202
as death, 232
devotee’s consciousness, 126, 139, 148, 178, 201–202
final, 292–93
king’s, 263
Nala bridge symbolizing, 161–62
need for Krishna to do, 201
panels depicting, 149
Shiva’s, 415
soma, 173
Pushkara (continent), 313, 410–12, 411f
rains of Indra, 434, 563n4
Rajasimha, Maravaraman, 8, 15, 18, 24, 51
Rajasimha, Narasimhavarman, 57, 58, 59
Hiranyavarman’s court and, 72–74
rajasuya, 38, 67, 69, 227, 553n11
Yudhishthira’s, 233–34, 236, 239, 241f, 286f, 288
rakshasas. See demons
Rama, 54, 264, 413
Hanuman worships, 426–33, 432f
Kosala inhabitants taken to Heaven by, 430–31
Lakshmana banished by, 429–30
“of the axe,” 194
separation from Sita of, 427–29
Rama disciplines Ocean, 156–63
meanings of, 159–63
panel of, 159, 160f
story of, 157–59
Valmiki v. BP versions of, 157
Rama the Charming (goddess), 167–68, 263–64
Ramayana (Valmiki), 103, 108, 109–10, 157
Rantideva, 234–35
Rashtrakutas, 60, 61–62
Ravana, 103, 224, 553n7
Narayana protects Bali from, 220–27, 221f, 223f
Rea, Alexander, 8–9, 75, 86
rebirth, destinations of, 216
reclining icon, 87, 88f, 116, 298
red (color), 85, 105
refuge
in God, 219, 353–54
stages of, God perception in, 202
Region made of Gold, 325
religions, 552n2
Buddhist, 15–16, 21, 62–63, 224, 362, 364, 470–71
in eighth-century Kanchipuram, 16
Jainas, 19–20, 21
Reva (queen), 79
Revati, 264
Rig Veda, 33, 36, 86
Rishabha, 19–20, 22, 364–72, 367f, 369f–71f
rishis. See seer(s)
ritual practices, 157, 159, 161–62, 474–78, 547n7. See also Bhagavata Dharma; consecration; prayer; sacrifice(s); sadhana; Tantra; unction; worship; specific agamas
gift giving, 62–63, 209–10, 234–35, 468, 552n2
Hari’s promise regarding, 151–52
japa/reciting thousand names, 155, 173
in Kali Yuga, 37
making soma as, 172
Milk Vow, 207
mind and, 161
northern path of, 125–27
Ocean of Milk and, 167–68, 173–74
Prayoga rites, 443–44
rajasuya, 38, 67, 69, 227, 553n11
refuge not requiring, 219
rite of vishnuhasta, 256
sadhana, 161, 176–77, 283, 380, 436–39
Ritumat, 150, 154, 155
rivers. See also specific rivers
as consciousness, 199, 200f
in Dravida region, 22–23
rudraksha beads, 406
Rukmini, 264
Ruler of the Senses (Hrishikesha), 205
Ruler of Yoga’s Ruler, Krishna as, 197, 550n15
rulers
intoxicated/greedy, 256
Pallava, 20
sacrifice(s), 413, 486
essence of all, 207
horse, 116, 128, 129f, 130, 248–56, 252f, 552n3
king Prithu’s horse, 248–56, 252f
necessity of, 220
The Person of the, 364–72, 367f, 369f, 370f, 371f
shrauta, 41f, 310
Soma, 552n4
sponsor as the Person of, 549n4
Vishvakarma’s, 244
Sacrifice of Everything, 244
Sadashiva, 165, 166
sadhaka. See devotee(s)
sadhana (disciplined way of life), 283. See also dhyana
Goda’s, 436–39
Krishna’s yogic praxis, 380
Man-lion as teaching twofold, 176–77
satsanga in, 406
through breath, 161
Sahadeva, 236, 553n16
samadhi (enstatic/unified consciousness), 45, 46, 130, 207
Goda’s, 439
Sama Veda, 36
Samkarshana. See Plower; snake(s)
sanctum(s). See also icon(s)
bottom-floor, 28, 47–49, 86, 89–98, 90f, 299–316, 310f, 317–43, 318f, 345–72, 409–41
fourth, hidden, 86, 88
middle-floor, 23–24, 49–54, 87, 88f, 115–45
poems referring to, other, 25–26
as three-storied, 7f, 18, 25–26, 86–89, 537n2
top-floor, 25, 54–56, 87, 544n2
transformations represented by, 88–89
womb-, 86
sant(s), 500–502
satsanga, 406
Satvata-samhita, Vasudeva’s path in, 503–13
scriptures
Brahma’s knowledge transmitted through, 301
Krishna worship basis in, 10
temple design and, 10–11
sculptures. See also panels, sculpted
lion, 63–64, 64f, 395
Nandivarman’s teacher, 29f, 76, 77f
as painted, 18
secret. See also Hari teaches Brahma secret of omniscience
Essence of Threefold, 111
names as, 212
seer(s), 32. See also specific seers
Anga lineage and, 249
curse of, 196–97
inner vision of, 45–46
lineage of, 461
Seven, murti of, 120–23, 122f
Shiva as, 164
Suta teaches Shaunaka/other, 178–79
Self. See atman
self-delusion, Plower’s, 99, 409
senses/sense organs, 304
Lord of, 434, 436, 441
sequence
Boar panel in, 245
counterclockwise, 247, 300
creation, 297–98
of internal formation, 41, 95–96
panel, 75, 116–20, 118f, 119f, 205, 315, 316
Setubandha (Pravarasena) [“Constructing the Bridge”], 159, 161
seven bulls, lust as, 226
Seven Seers, the, 120–23, 122f
constellation as, 123
Shaiva Agama, 57, 69, 73, 351
lineages of, 450
Shakti, 78–79, 81, 102, 270, 298, 487, 562n19
color associated with, 85–86
Sudharshana and, 474–78
shaktis, 560n1
Shakyamuni Buddha, 224, 468
shape. See forms/formations, Vasudeva’s
sheaths (kosha), 92
devotee’s, 149
five, 42f, 43–45, 254
mind, 43, 149, 254
outermost, universe’s, 332–33
person, mandala’s five, 44f
Person as five material, 42–43, 42f, 44f
in Person of four bodies, 148–49
three sets of bodies as five person, 43–45, 44f
Shishupala, 181–82. See also Krishna slays Shishupala
Shiva, 48, 101, 453–54. See also Bhava on Kailasa venerates Pradyumna
anger of, 348
bull as emblem of, 165, 548n18
dance of, tandava, 201, 551n18
description of a Bhagavata. 492–94
as Great God, 166
Krishna v., 201, 222
Linga of Five Faces prayer to, 165–66
lower status of, panel depicting, 201
Markandeya and, 401–403
Mohini and, 453–54
in Ocean of Milk churning, 164, 165–66, 167, 196, 548n21
purification of, 415
as Ruler of Yoga, 550n15
Sudharshana taught by, 474–78
temples to, 15, 18, 24, 58, 201
Three Cities conquered by, 166, 548n20
shrauta sacrifices, 41f, 310
Shri, 167, 192, 436
icon, sanctum, 88f, 93
Krishna’s wives as portions of, 263–64
Shridhara, 212
shrikes, story of, 183–84
Shuanshepa, Harishchandra and, 234
Shudras, 123
Bali/Nandivarman as, 213, 225
as drinkers, 548n25
low/high status of, 61
naga, 61
path of, 119
of true being, 72
Shuka, 256–57, 453, 461
history lesson taught by, 334–37
Ilavrita region described by, 414
teaches Parikshit origin of Bhagavatam, 179–80
Shukra, gift giving according to, 209–10
siddhis (powers), 324
Sita, Rama’s separation from, 427–29
sitting icon, 28, 86, 298
Siyamangalam temple, 201
Skandaishya, 61
skin
of God’s body, 403
prakara wall as outer body or, 86
slave, venerable (perumanatikal), 28, 62, 74, 75, 76, 172, 354, 538n15
Bhagavata Dharma concept of, 33
sleep, 149, 177
Brahma’s, 305, 311
of unified consciousness, 311
slit-openings, 380, 395
snake(s). See also Ananta
endless, 108
enthroned, 10
grasping, 161
Kaliya, 51, 147
Karkotaka, 201
Narayana reclining on, 49
Plower with cobras, 97, 98f
Samkarshana, 97, 98f, 108, 135
in Shiva’s tandava dance, 201, 551n18
Vasuki, 164–65, 168, 169, 170f
Soma, 130, 172–73
Dattatreya sits with, 445–52, 449f
moon as, 106, 107, 107f, 450, 559n2
sacrifice, 552n4, 559n7
soul (jiva), 44, 86
sound, 270, 326
Southern Doctrine. See Path of the Southern Doctrine
southern path
eastern panels of, 227–45
middle-floor sanctum’s, 205–45
southern panels of, 247–94
western panels of, 75, 205–27
space
Bhagavata Dharma on, 106
center of, waking of Brahma’s ego and, 313–15
nondirectional, 106, 163
spacetime, 28, 39, 40, 195, 298, 299–316, 538n13
Brahma and, 268, 307–16
depiction of, 299–301
organization of, 302–307
Vamana expanding to, 213
spinal column, 52, 176, 323–24
Sri Lakshmi. See Lakshmi
staff. See khatvanga staff
standing icon, 299
as missing, 87, 92, 298, 544n2–45n2
stories. See also Krishna Story
Ananta the endless, 376–77
Avadhuta Dattatreya teaches King Yadu, 466–71
Bhadrashravas worships Hayagriva, 358–60
Bhagavan, 331, 419–23, 422f
Bhava on Kailasa venerates Pradyumna, 412–17
Boar rescues Goddess Earth, 244–45
Brahma, 326–27, 410, 423–24
dating of, 19, 364, 368
Dattatreya sits with Soma/Durvasas, 445–48
Dwarf crowned, 351–52
gift of body, 234–35
Goddess Earth worships Boar, 484–87
Hanuman worships Rama in Kimpurusha, 431–33, 432f
Indra disrupts King Prithu’s horse sacrifice, 248–51
interruptions in, 120
Kalki, 333–37
Kamadeva plays “Krishna Holding up Govardhana,” 439–41
Kamsa/Jarasandha, 232–33
Keshava/Krishna slays Asura Keshin/horse, 127–32, 129f
Madhusudana in, 265–73, 276
Markandeya’s teaching on Nara/Narayana, 399–403
Mohini serves amrita to devas, 452–54
Naranarayana/Narada in Bharata, 383–86
Narayana protects Bali, 220
The Person of the Sacrifice, 365–71
Prahlada worships Man-lion in Hari region, 478–82
Rama disciplines Ocean, 157–59
Rama of the axe, 194
Shiva, 101
Sun over Plaksha continent, 340–41
Tortoise, Unbounded, 320
Vaikuntha appears to Kumaras, 355–57, 357f
Vamana the Dwarf at Bali’s horse sacrifice, 206–10
Vamana the Dwarf/king Bali, 116, 118, 119f
Vamana the Dwarf/thrice-strider, 213–16
Vasudeva teaching as Vaikunthanatha, 373–74
Vishnu kills Mali, Sumali, and Malyavan, 277–78
Yama telling, 183–84
Yudhishthira dons Boar-skin shoes, 239–40
subject-object knowledge (vijnanamaya) sheath, 43, 149
Sudharshana, 474–78, 544n37
chakra mandala, 567n35
sukshuma-diksha, 512–13
Sumali. See Vishnu kills Mali, Sumali, and Malyavan
“Summary of the Brahman Doctrine.” See Brahman Doctrine
Sun (Surya), 110, 308, 362
flies over Plaksha continent, 340–43, 342f
worship of, 312–13
Supreme Person, 31–32, 180. See also Narayana
Akrura’s vision of, 136–37, 138
Praise of the Person sacrifice and, 549n4
Supreme Vasudeva, internal transformations of, 88–89, 90, 94–95, 268
Surya. See Sun
Suta
teaches sages about Parikshit, 179–80
teaches Shaunaka/other seers, 178–79
symmetry, visual, 115, 374
Tamil poets, 23, 40, 314, 315, 335
tandava dance, Shiva’s, 201
Tantra, 23, 105, 458
weapons/instrument used in, 52–53, 76
Tarandikonda Bhojar, 73
Taravaloka, 468–71
teacher. See acharya
tejas. See potency
temple(s). See also Vishnu-house, Emperor’s
Bhagavata Purana and, dating of stories in, 18–22
Buddhist, 15–16
consecration of, 63–64
design of, scriptural basis/reference for, 10–11
imperial architect and, 29
Jain, 16
Kanchipuram, 15–16
Mahendravarman’s Siyamangalam/Shiva, 201
to Shiva, 15, 18, 24, 58, 201
three-storied palace, 18, 28, 537n2
Vishnu, 16
temple-poem correlations, 7, 47–56, 434
battle formation, 50
exile in, 245
formations/sanctum floor, 93
Kaliya the Snake-Pampurnatu control, 51, 147
Krishna’s dark color, 135
Man-lion, 126, 176
Nandivarman’s victory/Gajendra’s rescue, 147
Nandivarman-Yudhishthira, 245
Rama/Ocean-Nandivarman, 54, 156–57
staff/khatvanga as instrument of rule, 323–24
Vamana the Dwarf/Bali-Nandivarman, 53, 212–13, 218
“this am I,” gross body consciousness, 255–56
threads (three gunas), 178, 409, 417
Three Cities (Tripura), 166, 548n20, 555n12
three-storied palaces (tritala-vimanas), 18, 28, 537n2
Thrice-strider. See Vamana the Dwarf as Thrice-strider
throat, blue, 166, 201
thunderbolt, 548n22
time, 110, 305, 311, 312, 315–16, 433. See also ahoratra; Manu term; months; spacetime; yugas
Bharata’s four ages, 112–13
of day, yugas and, 316
Kaliya the Snake as, 196
tirtha, 210, 552n2
Tirumangai, 3–4, 17, 18, 63. See also temple-poem correlations
poem of, 3–4, 17–18, 47–56, 220
Vamana the Dwarf in poem of, 220
“Tirunvantati,” 414–15
“Tiruppalantu” (Vishnuchittan) [“Many Years”], 23–24
“Tiruppavai” (Goda), 92, 435
“Tiruvaymoli” (Chatakopan), 24–25, 26–27
top-floor sanctum, 25, 54–56
icon in, 79, 87, 92, 298, 544n2–45n2
purpose/accessibility of, 299
Tortoise, Primordial, 108, 165, 320–26, 321f
Tortoise, Unbounded (Akupara), 320–26, 321f
meanings of, 322–26
panel of, 320–26, 321f
story of, 320
trade routes, goddess of, 16
transformations (vibhava), 32. See also forms/formations, Vasudeva’s; specific formations; specific stories
internal, Narayana/Supreme Vasudeva’s, 88–89, 90, 94–95, 268
tree(s)
five kalpatarus, 257, 554n3
of Life, 100–101
Treta Yuga, 406
Tripura. See Three Cities
tritala-vimanas, 8, 18, 25, 28, 537n2, 538n18, 538n21
Trivikrama. See Vamana the Dwarf as
Trivikrama the Thrice-strider
twilight, 444, 452
language of, 447, 468
Mohini in shape of, 457
Uddhava. See also Krishna in Dvaraka teaches Uddhava the “Summary of the Brahman Doctrine”
description of Bhagavatas, 492
Ugrasena, 294
Uma, 165, 453
unction, 167
Bali receiving Great, 207
Nandivarman’s, 29, 38, 59, 67–70, 68f, 81, 176, 226
rajasuya, 38, 67, 69, 227, 553n11
unified consciousness, 130, 207, 305, 311
universe. See also cosmography
outermost sheath of, 332–33
Unobstructed (Aniruddha), the, 41, 90, 93, 96f, 103–106, 104f
Brahma’s body and, 311
color associated with, 86, 105
direction facing of, 108, 112
in Ocean of Milk churning, 164
panel sculptures of, 93, 96f, 103–106, 104f, 248, 301, 448, 450, 456
west orientation of, 108, 112
Upendra. See Vamana the Dwarf crowned as
Upendra
Upanishads, 35, 36, 41, 68
Uttarakuru. See Goddess Earth worships Boar
Uttaramerur temple, 29
Vaikhanasa Agama, 9
Vaikuntanatha. See Vasudeva teaching as Vaikuntanatha
Vaikuntha, 163, 251, 306, 546n6
Vaikuntha appears to Kumaras
panel of, 357f, 358
story of, 355–57
Vaikuntha Perumal, 91f
vajra, 131, 548n22
horse as, 131, 167
Indra’s, 278, 283–84
Vajrayana. See Buddhism
Valmiki, Ramayana, 103, 108, 109–10, 157
Vamana the Dwarf, 28, 53, 108, 116, 118, 119f, 137, 208
as twelfth son of Prinshnigarbha, 208
Vamana the Dwarf as Trivikrama the Thrice-strider, 213–20, 217f, 552n6
panel/meanings of, 216–20
story of, 213–16
Vamana the Dwarf at Bali’s horse sacrifice
meanings of, 212–13
panel of, 206, 210–13, 211f
story of, 206–10
Vamana the Dwarf crowned as Upendra, 351–55, 353f
panel/meanings of, 350f, 352–55
story of, 351–52
varna (ritual class), 61, 72, 230–31
names in, 569n7
Nandivarman’s, 120
two paths of worship according to, 118–19, 118f
Varuna, 106, 107f, 167–68
Vasudeva (Krishna’s father), 228, 230
Vasudeva, 32–33, 96f. See also Bhagavan; forms/formations, Vasudeva’s; Krishna
as agitator, 270–71
avatars of, 19–20, 21, 86, 209
bodies of, 539n9
depiction in sculpture, 552n5
Devi as power to act of, 38
in doctrine of formation, 40–41
lotus blossom from navel of, 106, 113, 120, 121f
marriage of, 263–64
Milk Vow worship of, Aditi’s, 207
perception of, 105
as pure consciousness, 38
sitting icon as, 28, 86
Supreme, 88–89, 90, 94–95, 268
Vasudeva teaching as Vaikunthanatha
meanings of, 376
panel of, 374–76, 375f
story of, 373–74
Vasuki, 164–65, 168, 169, 170f, 171f, 378
Vasu Uparichara, King, 521–22
Veda, 33, 36, 86, 157, 173, 336
asuras stealing, 328, 330
consciousness as beyond reach of, 201
rescuer of, Fish, 137, 359
Vessantara, 468–71
vibhava. See transformations
vibhava-diksha, 505–509
vibhuti powers, 269–70, 554n6
vijnanamaya. See subject-object knowledge sheath
Vikramaditya II, 61, 62, 74, 541n10
vimana. See also icon(s); sanctum(s); Vishnu-house, Emperor’s
bottom-floor, collapsed-porch view of, 318f
cube at top of, hidden, 88, 92–93
earth representations on porch and, 312–16
entrance into, main, 86
mountain shape of, 92
wall of, 96f
virgins, captive, 233, 256–64, 258f, 259f, 260f, 261f
Virile Ape, 554n17
Vishnu
Anga’s worship of, 249
avatara, 19–20, 21, 86, 108, 209
God/God’s nature as, 33
Kanchipuram temples of, 16
Vishnuchittan, Tiruppalantu, 23–24, 60
vishnuhasta, 256, 480, 567n32
Vishnu-house, Emperor’s. See also bottom-floor sanctum; middle-floor sanctum; orientation; panels, sculpted; prakara wall;
temple(s); temple-poem correlations; top-floor sanctum
in 1909, 4f
Bhagavata Purana on, 334–35
Chatakopan’s poem correlations to, 24–27
circumambulatory of, 87, 95–106
design/purpose of, 16, 17–18, 300
entrance to, 6
as first of type, 18
ground plan of, 86, 87f, 544n1
as mandala, 18, 85–86, 88, 89f, 106–14, 107f, 111f, 114f, 317–20, 318f, 319f
name of, 27–30
pathway through, overview of formations as, 301
significance of, 15–30
size of, 4–5
Vishnu kills Mali, Sumali, and Malyavan
meanings of, 282–84
panel of, 278–84, 279f, 280f, 281f
story of, 277–78
Vishvakarma, sacrifice of, 244
visualization. See dhyana
Vyasa, 179
Vyoma episode, 131
vyuha. See forms/formations, Vasudeva’s
vyuha-diksha, 510–12
waking consciousness (jagrat), 148, 161, 196, 201
water(s)
Akrura’s vision under, 139
Pure, 302–306, 312
wealth. See bhaga(s)
weapon(s)
Arjuna’s axe, 195
Bhima’s, Jarasandha’s mace as, 235
Brahma’s, 99, 228
Krishna’s Nandaka, 275, 276
potency entering, 80
“vajra” of, 131, 548n22
wheel (chakra), 85
white (color), 85, 96
White Island. See Vaikuntha
widows, Yama and, 183, 184
wives
Kaliya’s, 198–99
Krishna’s, 233, 263–64
womb. See also Golden Embryo
matter’s, Supreme Person born in, 180
radiant, 306–307
sanctum, 86
World Protectors, 249
worship, 249, 415, 473–84. See also devotion; panels, sculpted; ritual practices; stories
beyond, 271, 555n10
anger as, 285
Boar, Goddess Earth’s, 484–90, 488f
circumambulation, 315, 557n6
hate as, 181, 182
Krishna on, 198–99, 271
mandalas as, walking through, 18
Milk Vow as, 207
ritual classes for, 118–19, 118f
scriptural basis of Krishna, 10, 17
sculpted panels to aid, 301
Shiva and, 15, 24, 166
Sun, 312–13
twelve murtis, 114
types of, 105, 181, 337
yugas and, 22, 105, 371
wrestler, 66
Chanura, Krishna’s subduing of, 23–24, 139–43, 142f
Pallava, 24, 58, 141, 143
Yadu, King, Dattatreya teaches, 466–73, 472f
Yajna, Indra as, 253
Yajnavalkya, 240–41, 242f
Yama, 106, 107f, 183–84, 228, 309
widows and, story of, 183, 184
Yamuna River, 116, 167, 175, 196, 197, 199, 200f, 293
yantras, 475
Yashoda, 35, 123
yellow, 86
yoga
bhakti, 45, 200–201, 382, 390
Patanjali’s system of, 560n5
Tortoise as, Unbounded, 322–23
yogamaya, 34, 40, 401
yogic praxis, Krishna’s, 380
Yudhishthira
as Boar, 244–45
consecration of (rajasuya), 233–34, 236, 239, 241f, 286f, 288
Nandivarman correlated to, 245
Narada’s question to, 74, 75
Narada tells story to, 181–83, 184–86, 188–89
Yudhishthira dons Boar-skin shoes
meanings of, 242, 244–45
panel of, 240–42, 241f–43f, 244–45
story of, 239–40
yugas, 406. See also specific yugas
color of God according to, 105
Kalki and, 333
Manu term in, 120–21
panel sequence representing, 316
time periods of, 112–13
times of day and, 316
worship and, 22, 105, 371