Divine Motherhood: Large Standing Parvati with Baby Ganesha and Kartikeya | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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Appearing like a moment captured in metal, this Swamimalai bronze represents Parvati with Kartikeya placed on her hip and baby Ganesh reaching her knees, all three probably taking a stroll on Mount Kailasha, their abode. The image is placed on a padmapeetha (lotus platform) with a square base and an inverted lotus on top of it. The centre of attraction is of course Maa Parvati, a beautiful woman adorned with the best of physical and ornamental attributes. Her long hair is secured in a high raising Jatamukut- Jata (tresses) and Mukut (crown), literally the crown made of her tresses, tied with jeweled strings attached to an ornate piece in the middle. The elaborate hairdo is held in place by a circular Shirachakra. Devi’s hair pleasingly forms coils that highlight her beautiful forehead, and also fall on her back. In her elongated ears, Parvati has Makar-kundala, a symbol of beauty and auspiciousness. Her neck is adorned with a necklace with five strings, similar to the traditional Panchavali, five-stringed pearl necklace. The smoothness of her shoulders is highlighted by the flowing strings of Devi’s Skandamala. A Yajnopavita, signifying Parvati’s sacred status is seen with a knot near her left shoulder, falling between her breasts and splitting into two strands on her belly. Her breasts are rounded, swelling with the nurturing nectar for her children. On her arms are three different kinds of armbands- one encrusted with jewels shaped like a flower and the other two, fine strings with tiny jewels. Parvati wears a fine dhoti, its fragments falling parallel to her legs, clasped by a bejewelled mekhala (girdle), depicted by minute carvings on the idol. Her left foot is placed stably on the platform, while the right foot is slightly raised, bringing a sense of movement in the sculpture, both feet adorned by beautiful anklets.

Bala Ganesh and Kartikeya look exceedingly dotting wearing short dhotis and ornaments such as crowns, armlets, necklaces, udarbandh (belly belt), and anklets, holding interesting looking toys in their baby hands. Parvati carries an inward smile, entertained by the innocence of her children, both of who look up to her- the mother who is their entire world. Kartikeya gazes at his mother adoringly while Ganesh looking delightful beyond words with his protruding belly, sweetly raises his tiny hand to get a hold of his mother’s supporting finger. The entire bronze image is a picture of maternal bliss, sought after by every woman who worshipped the great goddess for the boons of progeny and their protection.

Looking at the content and peaceful visage of Maa Parvati, one might not be able to remember her threats of destroying the Universe when Shiva cut off the head of Ganesh or the way in which she takes Skanda after he was nurtured by the Sapta-Matrakas (seven mother goddesses) and looks after him as her own child, earning the epithet of Skandamata (the mother of Skanda and one of the forms of the great goddess worshipped during the Hindu festival Navaratri). Parvati is the embodiment of the strength that comes from being a mother. She cherishes her children with all her heart and when they are threatened, their mother’s rage knows no bounds. This fierce maternal instinct is expressively depicted in this supremely sophisticated Swamimalai bronze of Parvati with Ganesh and Kartikeya, an aide-mémoire to the divinity that Hinduism sees in motherhood.