Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/218

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THE ARAB AL-BIRUNT ON HINDU RELIGION

THE MARTANDA TEMPLE OF THE SUN IN KASHMIR.

We shall now communicate a whole chapter from the Brihat-Samhita of Varahamihira relating to the construction of idols, which will help the student thoroughly to comprehend the present subject. This authority says: "If the figure is made to represent Rama the son of Dasaratha, or Bali the son of Virocana, give it the height of one hundred and twenty digits," i.e. of idol digits, which must be reduced by one-tenth to become common digits, in this case one hundred and eight. To the idol of Vishnu give eight hands, or four, or two, and on the left side under the breast give him the figure of the woman Sri. If you give him eight hands, place in the right hands a sword, a club of gold or iron, and an arrow, and make the fourth hand as

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