12'' Goddess Meenakshi | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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Meenakshi’s mythology is detailed in the 13th century Tamil text Tiruvilaiyatarpuranam, mentioning the Pandyan King Malaydhwaja and Queen Kanchanmala, who, upon desiring a son, were provided with a princess who was born with three breasts. Upon the parents’ protestations, Shiva is said to have appeared and assured that they should rear the child just as they would have done with a son, and on the day when the princess meets her match for marriage, she shall lose her third breast. So began Meenakshi’s journey, who, after the death of her father, takes over the kingdom and begins a great expansionist campaign that takes her right to the abode of the gods, where she meets with Shiva. Their encounter is magical, for Meenakshi find herself in love, and loses her third breast, realising the fulfilment of the prophecy Shiva had ordained.

It is Shiva, in the gracefully handsome form as Sundareshwarar, whose hand is taken in marriage, and becomes the Queen’s consort, who is still reigning over Madurai. Meenakshi’s form as not just a goddess but also a righteous queen is presented in this image, where she is ornately dressed in royal drapery. The divine family of Meenakshi, Sundareshwarar, and their two sons Skanda and Vinayaka, to this day, act as patron gods of Madurai. The parrot resting on Meenakshi’s right hand is symbolic of Kama, the god of love – further acknowledging the amor between Meenakshi and Sundareshwarar.