The Dance of Shakti

The subject of this intricate sculpture is Goddess Lakshmi, the patron deity of abundance and prosperity. Indeed she is the creative pulsation of life sustaining this world, made evident by the sculptor in the freely flowing vegetative forms, signifying this life force. The goddess gracefully places her left leg ahead of the right, the former slightly raised as in a gesture of rhythmic dance. This is the Dance of Life, danced by the Great Goddess, electrifying the world into motion pulsating with her divine enrgy.

Goddess Lakshmi holds lotuses in two of her hands, a symbol of her pristine purity. The main right hand is raised in a gesture promising fearlessness. From her left hand flows down a cascade, showering prosperity on her worshippers. She wears a ornamented dhoti held together by a waistband with a flower at the center. She wears a profusion of jewels befitting her status as the goddess of riches. Her feminity is enhanced by the delicate ring adorning her pointed nose. Her beautiful tresses fall symmetrically on her two shoulders.

This sculpture was created in the city of Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, using Kadamba wood.

Click Here to view the reverse of this artwork.