OBJECTS OF RELIGIOUS CEREMONIAL 95 



12. Jagaddhatri. — Statuette of marble, painted and gilded. Jagad- 

 dhatri is one of the numerous names of the wife of Siva {Devi, Par- 

 vati). It signifies Mother of the Universe, her title as supreme god- 

 dess in Indian mythology. She is represented sitting on the sacred 

 lotus flower, with eight arms, illustrating her numerous functions. 

 Height, 11% inches. India. (Cat. No. 154873, U.S.N.M.) 



13-15. Three plaques. — Terra cotta, gilt, representing, respectively, 

 Vishnu (or Siva), Lakshmi, and Parvati. Height, 3 inches; width, 

 2Yo inches. India. (Cat. No. 317657, U.S.N.M.) Bequest of Miss 

 Nettie Lovisa White. 



16. Kartikeya. — Statuette of marble, painted and gilded. Repre- 

 sented seated on a lotus base, with six faces and four arms, with an 

 ornate necklace reaching down to the base. In his four hands he 

 holds, respectively, a club, lotus stalk, chaplet, and some vessel or 

 fruit. Against the center of the base is an open-winged owl, and at 

 either side of the base a lotus bud. 



Kartikeya, also called SJcanda, is in Hindu mythology the god of 

 war and leader of the armies of the gods, having been produced for 

 the special purpose of destroying the demon Taraka or Sura who, 

 by reason of his great austerities, became invincible against the gods 

 already in existence. Kartikeya is said to be the younger son of 

 Siva, without a mother. His worship is popular especially in south 

 India, where he is known under the name of Subhramanya. His 

 festivals in October are distinguished by music and bonfires on the 

 mountains. It is customary for the dancing girls who are attached 

 to the temples (pagodas) to be betrothed to him, after which they 

 are not allowed to remarry. Kartikeya is represented with six 

 heads, with bow and club as the symbols of war, and a peacock or 

 owl as his vehicle or sacred animal. Height, 14 inches. India. 

 (Cat. No. 154884, U. S. N. M.) 



17. Ganesa. — Statuette of marble, painted and gilded. Repre- 

 sented seated on a lotus pedestal in the easy or sportive posture, 

 with left foot drawn in and right foot resting on a rat. He has the 

 head of an elephant and in his four arms he holds, respectively, clubs, 

 a chaplet, and a lotus bud. 



Ganesa, also called Ganapati, is in Hindu mythology the older son 

 of Siva and Parvati (Durga), the lord of the Ganas, or troops of 

 inferior and mischievous deities, and god of wisdom and cunning. 

 He is one of the most popular Hindu divinities. He is invoked at 

 the beginning of any important undertaking, and all books begin 

 with a salutation to him. His birthday (Ganesa caturthi) is cele- 

 brated in August or September, when clay figures of him are wor- 

 shiped for several days and then thrown into the water. His image 

 is set up in almost all temples, streets, high roads, and open plains 



