Vividly capturing the frightful essence of the mythology of this image presented, the acclaimed scholar of Indian art Stella Kramrisch wrote that ‘No image of any other aspect of Siva comprises of as many contrasting iconographic types, such as frenzied, sinewy figure of Atiriktanga Bhairava or the staring, bloated, potbellied shape of Bhairava that Visnudharmottara Purana describes.’ In witnessing the ‘panchaloha’ bronze image of Bhairava, we witness divine and cosmic attributes that brim with fearsome energy – seen in the bulging eyes, the sharp fangs, his flaming ‘mukuta,’ and the powerful ‘trishula’ trident along with the ‘damru’ and the noose.
