Adideva, the primordial god Shiva in a magnificent form, fills this masterpiece Mysore painting with his heavenly aura. Shiva is Chaturbhuja (four-armed), carrying his weapons of cosmic destruction with a visually poetic gentleness while placing his primary hands in the Dhyan mudra. Mesmeric detailing has been done on the ornaments of Shiva, layered with gold foil to give them a rich shine. His Jata is held by a golden crown that frames his moon-like face, animated by three eyes, followed by an ornate necklace and armbands with the Kirtimukha emblem. Shiva wears a Baaghacharma (tiger hide) upper garment, along with a white dhoti, and has beautiful sandalwood paste marks all over his body.

His throne is an intricately delineated golden seat, adorned with elephants, the symbols of royalty and strength on the lower section, and covered with a tiger skin spread, where the ferocious animal seems to be stretching to grab the throne with its claws and teeth. Smilingly sitting over the wild beast, Shiva symbolizes the victory of supreme wisdom over fears and death.

The background of the artwork, with a sprawling tree and grand architectural elements combining to form a rich scene, depicts the meticulous use of lines in Mysore painting, which gives it an intricate and masterful effect. A deep blue in the background symbolizes Shiva’s omnipresence, and Nandi on his throne becomes the emblem of Shiva-bhakti. Exuding tranquility and bliss, Shiva manifests “Sat-Chit-ananda”, the supreme bliss of consciousness.