21'' Shiva Parvati | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai

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The breadth of such an allegory makes this bronze couple much more than a simple sculptural image, bringing the divine within our everyday reach. Shiva’s image, presented in a ‘samabhanga’ posture, radiates a balanced and solid presence that is erected on top of a raised lotus plinth. In his four-armed incarnation, we see him handling his battle-axe ‘parashu,’ dispelling fear with the ‘abhayamudra,’ granting boons with the ‘varadamudra,’ and mastering control and lordship over the animal kingdom as Lord Pashupatinath, as is seen with the presence of the galloping deer on his left hand. His ascetic presence is complimented with the crescent moon and snake draped over his tussled hair and stands in stark contrast with the contemplative image of Parvati, that is presented to us in the ‘abhanga’ posture.

Parvati’s head is topped with a ‘karanda mukuta’ or a basket-shaped crown, and as Mother Earth incarnate, her voluptuous breasts and thin waist is emblematic of the geography of the planet. Her serene persona, detailed with an elaborate dress extending till her ankles, holds a flower in one hand while the other rests to her side.

The matrimonial depiction of Shiva-Parvati, which has been with us since the age of the Khushanas, has been translated into several variations, like the Kalyanasundaram theme of Parvati-Parinay, and, as witnessed here, the fused-together Ardhanarishvara, which is literally symbolic of the coming together of forces of masculine and feminine forces of creation. In looking at this lost-wax work of the two supreme beings, we also note the inseparable position of Shakti from the male principle of God that is Shiva.