Sandstone Linga with head of Siva, Late Gupta Period, first half of 7th century Lahore, Central Museum
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Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
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The Linga has been a fetish in Indian religion since the Indus Valley Civilization was extant and has taken a variety of forms in later Indian art while maintaining the same significance as the symbol of the male procreative power of the universe, Siva, the Great Lord, represents that power, and for this reason his likeness is incorporated in the Linga itself to emphasize his universal role, This type of sculpture lacks the refinement of buddhist images, mainly because of its folk origin and its relatively lesser role in common worship in the Later Gupta Period, Some examples are more elaborate and bring to bear a more abstract symbolism to the Linga, These figures show the god Siva appearing within the Linga in full standing posture and thereby allow the image to be interpreted like a shrine for the god which in fact it was thought to be,
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Basham Collection
Date created
circa 1970s
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This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced without the prior permission of the Archives Program, Australian National University.
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