Talk:Anugrahamurti

anugraha-murti (‘icon showing favour’) Temples and image worship have had a long history in Hindu religion and culture. Each of the three main cults of Hinduism, viz., Saivism, Śāktaism and Vaiṣṇavism has given rise to a variety of icons during the course of its evolution. One set of such icons pertaining especially to Lord Siva, showing benediction to his devotees is called ‘anugraha-murti.’Iconographical works record six such anugrahamṅrtis, mṅrtis or icons showing anugraha or benediction to Caṇḍeśa (one of the attendants of Siva), Nandīśvara (Siva’s mount), Viṣṇu, Vighneśvara or Gaṇeśa, Arjuna (the Pāṇḍava hero) and Rāvaṇa (the demon king of Laṅkā). One hand of the image is usually kept on the head of the supplicant while one of the other hands exhibits abhayamudrā (protec¬tion-giving pose) or varadamudrā (boon- giving pose).