Uma Mahesvara

Description

The four-armed figure of Shiva as Mahesvara, the lord of the universe, with his wife Parvati as Uma on his left are seated on a decorated mat in variations of the posture of royal ease. This form of the Hindu divine couple known as Uma Mahesvara joins the opposing male and female aspects of the cosmos to represent the oneness of all things. According to most accounts, the setting is in Shiva's palace atop Mount Kailasa, which is regarded as the central axis of the cosmos; here, indicated by rectilinear markings along the horizontal bands below the couple. Shiva's right earring is carved in the form of a snake, and the left is a circular earplug. His lower right hand extends down in a gesture of charity with a lotus flower carved on the palm of his hand. A rosary is held aloft in his upper right hand close to the head of Nandi, his bull vehicle. His left hand holds a water bottle and is draped over Uma's shoulder as she gently leans against him. His fourth arm appear in the upper right and may have once held a trident. The deities' warm embrace reflect legends of their countless years of lovemaking without issue, demonstrating Shiva's practice of yoga to control his male energies and as a means to attain enlightenment. Therefore the image is actually meant to be understood in terms of spiritual transcendence, and not of worldly pleasure. Attendants flank the couple at upper right and lower left. Across lower frieze from left to right is a feline-headed figure holding a drum in his lap, the elephant-headed Ganesha, younger son of Shiva and Pavarti, a dancer at center, the emaciated figure of the sage Bhringi, and a feline-headed figure playing cymbals or a drum. The god of war Skanda (or Karttikeya), the elder son of the divine couple, is often paired with Ganesha but does not appear on this fragment.

One of the chief deities of Hinduism, Shiva in Sanskrit means "Auspicious One" and is a god that combines many opposite qualities. He is known as both the destroyer and restorer of the cosmos, benevolent and wrathful, and a symbol of both asceticism and sensuality. He has three eyes, the third one granting inner vision yet also capable of destruction when turned outward. Here he wears a patterned loincloth or dhothi with a jeweled-clasp belt, and jewelry, including a beaded necklace and a sacred thread (yajnopavita). A crescent moon is typically part of his headdress, and legend has it that he brought the Ganges River to earth in his hair.

Shiva's consort is Parvati, the "Daughter of the Mountain." According to legend, her marriage to Shiva was achieved through the connivance of the gods. Shiva was in mourning after the death of his first wife, Sati, and committed to severe ascetic discipline. Kama, the god of love, was directed by the other gods to arouse Shiva's passion for Parvati and shot him with a love-producing arrow. Enraged, Shiva incinerated Kama with the fire from his third eye, but the arrow had its intended effect. Despite their union, the couple remained childless, so the legends surrounding the origins of Ganesha and Skanda are quite colorful. The gods wished for Skanda's birth in order to destroy the demon Taraka, who could only be killed by a son of Shiva. Legends vary as to Skanda's birth. Many accounts say he was conceived from one of Shiva's seeds that was found and taken by the gods. Skanda is commonly depicted with six heads, holding a spear or weapon, and riding a peacock. One account of Ganesha's birth says that he was modeled from the dirt from Parvati's body so that he could guard the door while she bathed. When Shiva approached and found a stranger, he cut off Ganesha's head. To appease his wife's subsequent grief, he replaced the head with one from the first creature that he came across—an elephant.