Hi!
I'm back in Europe
about the Alidha/pratyalidha standing position, it is highly discussable. You can find some posture in Balinese hilts that are close to it. It's not like the one expressed in Tibetan sculpture (for instance on wood book covers). You never know if the rakshasa or the durga (or else) are really standing up or are seated on the tumpal throne. In the attached picture the durga unveiled has this questionable position. The general fierce attitude can suggest the alidha position which expresses the angry and aggressive look of durga. It is to scare mortal and spirits away. Now, the way it is sculptured you can't really tell if she is seated or not the feet are placed a way which can suggest the standing attitude rather than a seated one. But it's not obvious and I have not seen one hilt that would make it absolutely sure.
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