A Picture of Domestic Bliss

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Shiva, responsible for the destructive aspect of creation is paradoxically often represented as a simple family man, surrounded by an environment of domestic bliss and harmony, as in this painting from the Kangra School. Though befitting his stature as a yogi and an ascetic, his family is presented as one of simple means, and with few belongings, and always with only the sky as their roof, but united and loving nevertheless. Here the artist wishes to convey that Shiva is not an unattainable god. He is a deity one can feel entirely at home with.

Here the setting is that nearing sunset. Parvati lovingly offers Shiva a bowl full of bhang, his favorite intoxicating drink, while her son, the six-headed Karttikeya suckles her left breast. Charmingly as Shiva gazes adoringly at Parvati, he loses attention on the bowl of bhang, which makes it convenient for the snake coiled around his neck to beat him to it. In the best traditions of an Indian family, Ganesha the other son provides a helping hand, working the mortar, an important, initial step in the making of bhang. Next to the stream in the foreground lie a couple of burning logs, the ritual fire of which gives rise to the ash which Shiva the eternal yogi besmears his body with. Lying before Shiva is a bundle tied in cloth. This contraption is a common sight with sadhus and ascetics and holds a variety of religious equipment, including sacred texts. Lying close by is a small container containing the ashes from the ritual fire. In the background can be seen the lion, the mount of Parvati, and Nandi, the bull and vehicle of Shiva.

Shiva is clad only in a loin-cloth and a shawl lightly placed over his right shoulder. In addition to the serpent his neck also supports necklaces made of tulsi beads, and a small rosary is held in the left hand. He along with Parvati is sitting on a tiger skin.

A picture of perfect domestic bliss, the whole atmosphere here is characterized by a deep-running feeling of calmness and serenity.The luxuriously green tree in the background contributing in so small manner to the overall feeling of contentment, as does the calm and gentle flow of water in the foreground.