Shiva is an important god of the Hindu pantheon but his anthropomorphic
image serves only as embellishments on temple walls, they are never objects
of actual worship.
This image of Shiva justifies his name 'Vageshvara', Lord of the serpents.
They can be slithering down his body, taking the place of jewelry. They
reflect his absolute renunciation, his refusal to react or respond to any
threat or temptation. In his neck, he also wears strings of pearls which
also adorn his matted hair. Out of the crown of his matted hair flows the
Ganga, emblem of purity. His arms are strong and smooth and smeared with
ashes. Here, he sits on a mat preparing bhang, a narcotic drug which arouses
the senses and fills the mind with a feeling of tranquility. An intoxicating
drink is made out of the leaves the Indian hemp Cannebis Indica, and this
decoction is then mixed with sweetened milk. Close to him lie his kamanadalu
and a yoga danda, possessions of ascetics. Shiva is identified by the
trishula that he always carries. In the microcosm, the trident represents
the three subtle arteries of the body: ida, pingala and the sushumna. The
three prongs are also said to represent the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and
Mahesh. In the foreground also lies the 'damaru,' the drum of Shiva, from
which all the rhythms of manifestation are said to have come forth.
The delicate purity of Shiva's face in three-quarter view reflects calm and
tranquility.
This description by Renu Rana.
Pinturas
