ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the constituent elements that make up the integral dharma, and so contribute to the fundamental beauty, of any religious image made "in accordance with the canon". Every image in so far as it properly realizes its intended end, and so can be described as beautiful in some way, must conform to the dharma of its constituent elements: the dharma of provenance, the dharma of material, the dharma of purpose, the dharma of form, and the dharma of ritual. The dharma of provenance refers to the origin of the sacred image. In the case of making an image for temple- or shrine-worship, an overarching ritualized framework applies, with local, regional and sectarian variations coming into play. The chapter deals with the ritual status of the image-maker itself, which ranges from that of the Brahmin to a variety of other caste affiliations; generally, however, those who play a leading role in directing and implementing procedures are male.
