7.3'' H Brass Tealight Holder

Features

• The expressions of Shiva-Parvati, Shiva’s way of holding the damru by making a scissor-like gesture with his hand, the presence of lotus, and generous use of ornamentation have made this brass statue quite similar to the Vishnu-Lakshmi idols designed in this fashion. The artist of this particular brasswork included attributes of Vishnu and Devi into the images of Shiva and Parvati, for us to understand the fluidity that exists between the two great gods. It is the beauty of Indian philosophy of oneness of all divinities that is manifesting itself in this rare work of art. The earrings of Shiva and Parvati in this brass murti interestingly include the Makara motif (Makara is a mythical creature, a composite of crocodile, fish, and other animals, and a symbol of beauty), a feature generally associated with Vishnu. Among the other noteworthy ornaments are Parvati’s peacock feather-shaped armbands, her beautiful necklaces, finely designed breast band, and Shiva’s necklaces, sacred thread, and the belly belt or udar bandh. Mahadev Shiva is chaturbhuj (four-armed) and carries a Damru (small drum) encircled by a snake and a Vajra (mythical weapon) in two of his hands. His main right hand is raised in the gesture of fearlessness while his left hand is gently placed on Parvati’s waist. Parvati holds Aparajita (literally, undefeated) flower in her hand, an attribute related to Goddess Durga, the undefeated, warring mother-goddess. Her left hand is in the charming Lolhasta mudra, a gesture similar to the tail of a horse.