Lord Shiva as Veenadhar

Lord Shiva as Veenadhar

Chola Bronze, 11th Century AD

         Having looked at Godess Parvati sleeping, Lord Shiva was inspired to invent the Veena, called the Rudra Veena  (one of  the oldest known string instruments of India). Here although the Veena part is missing, but the two front arms are held in a position as though the Lord is playing the Veena. 

         Veena is a symbol of language, of creativity, of civilisation.  For language is an essential element of civilisation and of being civil.