Archives Glossary of special terms

sabha-mandapa

Mandapa with shrine of Nataraja in the southern temples, generally facing south.

sachi

one of the five sthānas or positions

sacred thread

cord worn by high-caste Brahmans, the ‘twice-born’

sadara-dhira

attentive, formal

sadharana-mandapa

hell resting on between 28 and 100 pillars

saduram

Square basal, intermediate or terminal section of a pillar separated by octagonal, polygonal or circular intermediary parts (saduram, Tamil: சதுரம்).

sahitya-darpana

mirror on literature/poetry

sahitya-mimamsa

Mirror of knowledge (Indian philosophy/epistemology)

sakha

hero’s male friend

sakhi

heroine’s female friend and confidante

sakti

Śakti (शक्ति) refers to the ‘spear’ or ‘ornamental blade’; a spear-shaped weapon; also synonymous of power and energy; It consist of a rectangular or elliptical and sharp metallic piece attached to a long wooden handle.

saktivel

a spear-shaped weapon; also synonymous of power and energy

sala

(also salai), rectangular ornamental panjara (panchara) with wagon-roof, on the storeys of the vimana; a hut-shaped, barrel-roofed pavilion (cf. kuta and nasi)

sala-dvara

main temple-gateway/gopuram with 2 to 4 storeys

sala-shrine

Vimana of ayatasra type (oblong on plan) with barrel-vault roof and a series of stupi on its ridge.

sala-sikhara

Sikhara peculiar to sala-shrine, barrel-vault, wagon-top or inverted, keel-shaped.

salai

(Old Tamil: சாலை, Modern Tamil: சாலை, also sala), rectangular ornamental panjara (panchara) with wagon-roof, on the storeys of the vimana; a hut-shaped, barrel-roofed pavilion (cf. kuta and nasi)

sama

Sama (सम), a type of reclining posture (Sayana); Lying down with the face upwards and the hands free and turning downwards is called the Sama posture. It is the posture in deep sleep.

sama-chaturasra

square

samabhanga

Samabhaṅga (समभङ्ग) a posture in which the figure is shown without flexions of the body (see also abhanga, tribhanga and atibhanga); The plumb line runs through the navel from the crown of the head to a point midway between the… Continue Reading →

samadhi

The attitude of meditation. In this hand-pose, both hands are placed on the lap, right hand on left, with the fingers fully extended and the palm facing upwards. Also called yoga-mudra or dhyana.

samalankara

fully ornamented

samapada

Samapāda (समपाद) or Samapādasthānaka refers to the ‘erect posture’; In samapada posture, the head and body are held erect with legs and arms close together. There is no flexion in the body. The gaze is direct. Samapada-sthanaka is of two… Continue Reading →

samapada-sthanaka

Samapādasthānaka (समपादस्थानक) or Samapada refers to the ‘erect posture’; In samapada posture, the head and body are held erect with legs and arms close together. There is no flexion in the body. The gaze is direct. Samapāda-sthānaka is of two… Continue Reading →

Sambandar

prominent Shaivite poet-saint, believed to have lived in seventh-century; usually portrayed as a dancing child; one of the muvar (‘Revered Three’)

samhara

destructive

samhara-murti

the form as destroyer

sampada

Sampāda (सम्पाद), straight pose with feet together; standing with the feet together or even

samyukta

Saṃyukta (संयुक्त) or Saṃyuktahasta is the presentation of a double hand in dance gesticulation (cf. asamyukta-hasta and nrtta-hasta).

samyukta-hasta

Saṃyuktahasta (संयुक्तहस्त) or Saṃyukta is the presentation of a double hand in dance gesticulation (cf. asamyukta-hasta and nrtta-hasta).

sandarsana-mudra

hand-pose in the attitude of teaching or exposition; In this hand-pose, the tips of the thumb and the forefinger touch each other to form a circle, while the other fingers are kept open. The palm faces outwards.

sandhara

Structure with a closed or covered circuit passage or ambulatory round the cella or the sanctum as in a double-walled structure (opposit of nirandhara).

sandya

evening

sangam age

The classical age of the Tamil Nadu prior to Christian era.

sankha

Śaṅkha (Sanskrit: शङ्ख) is a conch; refers to a musical instrument; This is a special symbol of Vishṇu. His conch is known as Pañchajanya, being made from the body of the demon Pañchajana. It makes a frightening noise and terrifies… Continue Reading →

sankha-nidhi

dwarf attendant of Kubera holding a conch in his hand

sankha-patra

Śaṅkha-pātra (शङ्खपात्र) a shell cut cross-wise, producing a spiral ring. Used as an ear-ornament.

santi

similar to abhaya

sapta sthala

seven holy places

saptatala

Saptatāla (सप्तताल), Measurement of images by seven tālas

sarapa

head to foot

sarasvati-kanthabharana

adornment of Sarasvati’s neck

sarbamudra

a pose like a hooded serpent

sarini

one of the strings of the vina instrument

sarpa-kundala

serpent-shaped ear-ornament

sasah

a rabbit

saundarya-lahari

waves of beauty

sausthava

The Sauṣṭhava (सौष्ठव) of limbs is to be presented by being still, unbent, at ease, not very upright and not much bent. When the waist and the ears as well as the elbow, the shoulder and the head are in… Continue Reading →

savya-lalita

Savya-lalita or Savya-lalitasana; Sitting on a high platform like a stool, with one leg hanging down and the other bent with the sole of the foot facing upwards resting on the leg (also called Lalita or Sukhasana).

savya-lalitasana

Savya-lalitasana or Savya-lalita; Sitting on a high platform like a stool, with one leg hanging down and the other bent with the sole of the foot facing upwards resting on the leg (also called Lalita or Sukhasana).

sayana

Śayana (शयन), reclining posture; Six types of reclining postures are defined: Akuncita, Sama, Prasarita, Vivartita, Udvahita, Nata.

sayanasana

Śayanāsana (Sanskrit: शयनासन) refers to the posture dependent on the reclining state, and represents one of the five types of asana.

Sekkilar

compiler of the Periya Puranam

shaivite

pertaining to Shiva

shakti

feminine power

shastra

The Śāstra (शास्त्र) are classified into Apauruseya (disciplines dealing with knowledge not contingent on individuals) and Pauruseya (disciplines whose knowledge is contingent on the individual).

shatha-nayaka

deceptive hero

shattala

Ṣaṭtāla (षट्ताल), Measurement of images by six tālas

shilpa

Śilpa (शिल्प) designates any kind of art.

shilpa-prakasha

light on art

shilpa-shastras

texts of art and architecture (cf. shilpashastra)

shilpashastra

Śilpaśāstra (शिल्पशास्त्र), text providing technical and aesthetic guidance to those empowered to mark arts and crafts; texts of art and architecture (cf. shilpa-shastras); refers to the science of architecture; It represents one of the nine divisions of the Paurūṣeya classification… Continue Reading →

shilpi

artist

shlesha

pun

shringara

erotic rasa or ornament

shringara-prakasha

light on the erotic (rasa)

Shudra

one of four castes in Hindu society, the lowest stratum of Indian society and form the majority of the population: artisans, tenant farmers, day laborers, servants, agricultural workers, laborers

sikhara

(also sikaram, Tamil: சிகரம்) top-covering of the vimana, above the griva; the crown; of various shapes such as square, bulbous, octagonal and wagon-roof; Roof of the vimana over the griva, domical or four-sided with a single finial, vaulted with many… Continue Reading →

simha

lion

simha-karna

lit. leonine ear, in an attitude of beckoning

simha-mukha

Lion faced

simhakarna-mudra

In this hand-pose, the tips of the fingers are loosely joined to the thumb to form a ring. This is done with a view to inserting a fresh flower in the hand of the icon every day. (cf. Kataka, Kataka-hasta… Continue Reading →

simhamukha clasp

a clasp with simha-mukha

simhasana

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन), a seating with a lion’s face; four-legged and is rectangular or circular in shape; its four legs are made up of four small lions; Sitting cross-legged as in Kurmasana. The palms of the hands are kept on the… Continue Reading →

siraschakra

a circular decorative ornament provided behind the head designed like a wheel or lotus (lotus, wheel or simha-mukha forms), for attachment of flower garlands

sirastraka

turban; a variety of coiffure; smaller version of the headgear made of plaits of hair

sivapadasekhara

a royal title, lit. bearer of Shiva’s feet on his head

skandamala

(also skandhamala) ornament or streamer of the tassels (of strings, beads etc.) shown at right angles on the shoulder

snapana-mandapa

Mandapa in which the abhisheka (or mandapa) or ceremonial bathing of processional idols of bronze is performed during festivals.; hall for the ceremonial bath of deities

sobha-dvara

main temple-gateway/gopuram with 1 to 2 storeys

Somaskanda

Shiva shown in family ensemble of Uma-Parvati and their child Skanda; especially popular in South India in the Pallava (c. 600-850) and Chola (c. 850-1279) periods.

sopasraya

Sopāśraya (सोपाश्रय) or Sopasrayasana, Sitting with legs loosely locked, the soles of the feet resting in the front.

sopasrayasana

Sopāśrayāsana (सोपाश्रयासन) or Sopasraya, Sitting with legs loosely locked, the soles of the feet resting in the front.

srifala

Śrīfala means a coconut.

srivatsa

an auspicious sign of varying design representing Sridevi often decorating the chest of Vishnu; triangular or rhomboid mark on the right side of his chest; attribute of Vishnu

sruk

Sruk (स्रुक्) is a circular shaped sacrificial spoon (cf. Sruva).

sruva

Sruva (स्रुव) or Sruv is an oval shaped sacrificial spoon (cf. Sruk).

stambha

(also stambham, Tamil: ஸ்தம்பம்) Pillar (cf. kambam, pada);

stambha-torana

Entrance decoration or free-standing decorated entrance without doors and with a festoon spanning the tops of two columns, the festoon primarily being a garland of leaves and flowers, later on taking the form one or more curved and decorated cross-bars,… Continue Reading →

stambham

(also stambha, Tamil: ஸ்தம்பம்) Pillar (cf. kambam, pada);

sthana

Sthāna (स्थान) refers to ‘standing posture’ (cf. Sthanaka). The six different kinds of sthānas are as follows: Vaisnava, Sampada, Vaisakha, Mandala, Alidha, Pratyalidha.

sthana-hara

necklet touching the breasts

sthanaka

Sthānaka (स्थानक) refers to ‘standing posture’ (cf. sthana). The sthānaka in iconography has two typs: samapada-sthanaka and kayotsarga-sthanaka.

sthanasana

Sthānāsana (स्थानासन) refers to the posture dependent on the sthana, and represents one of the five types of asana.

sthapati

artisans, architects, artists, metal sculptors, makers of icons, master builder, sculptor

stupi

(also stupika, Tamil: ஸ்தூபி) Finial, morphologically the ushnisha, taking in later times the form of a purna ghata or purna kumbha, forming the topmost or ultimate member of the vimana, gopura or any other structure.; pot-shaped crowning element over the… Continue Reading →

stupika

(also stupi, Tamil: ஸ்தூபி) Finial, morphologically the ushnisha, taking in later times the form of a purna ghata or purna kumbha, forming the topmost or ultimate member of the vimana, gopura or any other structure.; pot-shaped crowning element over the… Continue Reading →

suchi-hasta

hand with pointing finger in terrifying attitude; In this hand-pose, the projected forefinger points to an object below.

sukanasa

(also sukanasika or sukhanasi), Integral forward projection of the tiers of the superstructure below the griva and amalaka level in northern prasada’s coming over the antarala and forming its roof; has a nasika front, enclosing bas-relief sculptures inside the arch…. Continue Reading →

sukanasika

(also sukanasa or sukhanasi), Integral forward projection of the tiers of the superstructure below the griva and amalaka level in northern prasada’s coming over the antarala and forming its roof; has a nasika front, enclosing bas-relief sculptures inside the arch…. Continue Reading →

sukha

Sukha (सुख), Sitting in any comfortable position.

sukhanasi

(also sukanasika or sukanasa), vestibule (cf. antarala)

sukhasana

Sukhāsana (Sanskrit: सुखासन) seated at comfortable posture; Sitting on a high pedestal as on a stool, with one leg hanging down and the other folded and resting on a cushion or a pedestal (cf. Savya-lalita or Lalita).

sula

(Tamil: சூலம், also sulam), a trident, spear or pointed weapon (cf. trisulam); The weapon of Śiva. It may look like a javelin and have one pointed dart or it may be a trident.

sulam

(Tamil: சூலம், also sula), a trident, spear or pointed weapon (cf. trisulam) The weapon of Śiva. It may look like a javelin and have one pointed dart or it may be a trident.

Sundarar

ninth-century Shaivite poet-saint, one of the muvar (‘Revered Three’)

surul-yali

the balustrade to the upper part of the mandapa is sculptural (surul-yali, Tamil: சுருள்-யாளி)

suryakala

a motif of sun

sushira

hollow (casting)

suttupprakaram

The course which surrounding the sanctuary is called suttupprakaram (Tamil: சுத்துப்பாரகாரம்).

suvarnavaikakshaka

golden jewel shaped like chhannavira

svastika

Svastika (स्वस्तिक) or Svastikasana, Sitting cross-legged with the toes of the feet touching the opposite knees.

svastikasana

Svastikāsana (स्वस्तिकासन) or Svastika, Sitting cross-legged with the toes of the feet touching the opposite knees.

Svetambara

Svetambara in Sanskrit means “white-clad”, and refers to its ascetics’ practice of wearing white clothes. See Digambara

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