This elegant Shaiva figure, originally part of a devakostha or sculptural niche adorning the walls of a now-lost Shaiva shrine, is now housed in the Government Museum, Sikar. The figure is depicted with four hands, the upper two hold a skull-scepter and cobras, while the lower left-hand holds a cup, or rather a skull, with the fingers of the right hand dipping into its contents. On the left is an image of a vyala, which was once placed in the salilantara recess of the temple wall. Ichnographically, the figure reflects a tantric influence. The symbolism of the cup or skull likely represents the spiritual nectar of bliss attained through the completion of tantric sadhana, a concept shared in both Shaiva and Buddhist tantric traditions. Iconographically, the figure reflects a tantric influence. The symbolism of the cup or skull likely represents the spiritual nectar of bliss attained through the completion of tantric sadhana, a concept shared in both Shaiva and Buddhist tantric traditions.
Image courtesy: The Government Museum, Sikar
Location:
Sikar
Date_accepted:
2024-05-13T12:15:36Z
Modified:
2024-05-14T13:44:00Z
Type:
Image
Creator:
Temples of India Project Team
Contributor:
Anchit Jain
Publisher:
Jio Institute
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
References:
Sikar, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Harshnath Temple, Shakambhari Chahamanas , Rajasthan, and Temples of India