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Ujjain, Madhya Bharat. Siva, Lord of the Dance

Date

Authors

Kramrisch, Stella
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham

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Volume Title

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Abstract

Description

10-armed image dances in Aindra posture, the right arm thrown staff-like (danda hasta) across the body, the left raised as if in abhaya mudra. The other arms on the right proper show the trident (trisula) emblem of the triple hierarchy of manifestation, the three qualities (guna) of which the manifest world is made
the next hand in pataka hasta conveys power
it shows at the same time that the dance has just begun. The next upper hand holds the Damaru drum, which emits the primeval sound of creation, the upper hands hold the Serpent. The back slab by which the arms are connected suggests the expanse of the skin of the elephant demon killed by Siva and raised triumphantly. Between the dancing feet of the god emerges the devotee Bhringi rapt in his imitation of Siva. On the right, the diminutive bull Nandi and a Rishi raise their admiring heads towards the dancing god. -- (now in Gwalior Fort Archaeological Museum). 11th cent.

Citation

Source

Type

Archives Series

Basham Collection

Date created

1954

Access Statement

License Rights

This item is provided for research purposes. Contact the Australian National University Archives at butlin.archives@anu.edu.au for permission to use.

DOI

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