Lord Vishnu

 Lord Vishnu

Chola Dynasty,10th Century AD,National Museum, New Delhi

          This is a fine example of Chola sculpture in stone. Although the Chola Dynasty is more known for their bronzes, but being great builders of huge temples, the Chola sculptors excelled in their art. Granite is a hard stone to carve. While the Pallava artists had difficulty in carving in granite, the Chola sculptors had mastered the stone. From Pallava to Chola to Vijayanagar we move from simple carving to more ornate to the most ornate sculptures in South India.

          Lord Vishnu is the preserver of the universe. He teaches us to preserve the civilisation through assimilation,  through compassion and and love. Instead of antagonism,  he teaches us harmony in relationship, in doing our duty, in accepting even those who are different from us. Did Lord Ram not accept Sugrive and Hanuman?  Did Krishna not accept Sudama? If we wish to thrive and prosper, we have no option but to accept assimilation as our philosophy.  Those who believed in annihilation, like the Greeks and Romans, they are in ruins. Choice is ours! 

Lord Shiva as Natraj (Lord of Dance)

Lord Shiva as Natraj (Lord of Dance)

Chola Dynasty,10th Century AD

          Dance in India has a divine and an  ancient origin. According to Bharat  Muni's Natya Shastra dance was first performed by Lord Shiva. It was a dynamic dance full of powerful movements. It was called Tandav. It was first performed in an assembly of Gods.  Goddess Parvati then did the feminine form of dance, full of graceful and slow dance called Lasya.  

Lord Shiva has performed  the Tandav on other occasions also, when he killed the Elephant demon--Gajasura; when the sages were upset when Lord Shiva walked naked near their helmet and the sages wives fell in love with Him. And of course the Tandav dance of total destruction in a ring of fire. 

        This sculpture also depicts the dance of destruction as here Lord Shiva is dancing on the dwarf of ignorance. Here He does hold the fire in one hand and 'damaru ' ( drum) in another hand. His front hands are in the 'mudra' (gesture) called 'gajahasth ' (hand like the trunk of an elephant), and in 'Abhaya Mudra ' ( fear not gesture). 

        This sculpture seems to depict the moment when Lord Shiva is just about to lift his left leg and strike the "classic" pose of Natraj. 

        This sculpture has the same message of Natraj: creation and destruction are on same level. Come under my protection and fear not either creation or destruction.  Change is part of Nature. Impermanence is life. But beyond the world of illusions there is eternity,  beauty and truth. God and soul dance together as a divine couple.  We are immortals and divine.