This sculpture depicts one of the forms of Shiva - Maheshvara. Shiva is one of
the most popular Brahmanical gods. He was the counterpart of the Vedic
Rudra. The Rigvedic divinities, who were either atmospheric or celestial
deities, were subsequently remodeled and renamed in the Brahmanical
literature. The atmospheric deities were eleven in number and were
collectively known as the Rudras. According to some scholars the Rudras
compounded themselves into a single figures of impetuous qualifications,
under the name of Shiva. Moreover, some scholars believe that in the
pre-Vedic period, the people of the Indus valley civilization used to
worship a god who was in some respects similar to the Puranic representation
of Shiva-Pashupati. We do not have the name of that pre-Vedic god, and we are
also not sure if he transformed into Rudra in the Rigvedic and later
Vedic period. In the post-Rigvedic period, Rudra-Shiva was known by various
names. The Tantric literature too represented Shiva in numerous forms and aspects
etc. The most famous of which are Nataraja, Nilakantha, Aghora,
Kalyana-Sundara, Ardhanarishvara and Bhairava. Actually the sculptures
depict the placid aspect of Shiva. The numerous figures of him (Shiva),
belonging to the late Gupta and medieval periods, illustrate his various
mythologies. The sculptures of Shiva can be divided into two groups. 1.
Samhara (destructive) and 2. Anugraha (gracious), corresponding to his ugra
and saumya (aspects). The ugra or terrific aspects have been
represented by Bhairava, Gajasurasamhara, Tripurantaka, and Andhakasuravadha
etc. The Anugraha-murtis of Shiva have been designated by Chandashanugraha,
Ravananugraha, Dakshina-murti and Nritya-murti etc.
The present artwork depicts the anugraha aspect of Shiva. He is
shown standing on a lotus pedestal. His right leg is slightly ahead of the
left one, as if he is walking. He is wearing a skirt suspended upto the
thighs. He is pot-bellied and has two arms, the right hand making the gesture
of abhaya (protection), while the left hand holding a trident staff with a
damaru (small kettle drum). He is adorned with earrings, necklaces,
sacred-thread, armlets, bracelets and anklets. There is a snake around the
neck. He has a sharp nose and three eyes. The two principal eyes are open and
staring. The expression of the eyes is ferocious. There is a resplendent
crescent on the proper right side of his head-dress. The top of the head
shows the release of the river-goddess Ganga from the coils of his
matted hair after being propitiated by sage Bhagiratha.
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