Lord Harihar

Lord Harihar

Pratihara Dynasty, 10th Century AD, Bhopal Museum

        The Indian civilisation is a civilisation of assimilation and not of extermination.  While the West believes in exterminating those who hold a different point of view, we merely assimilate those views and move on. Our ability to accept different  philosophies, different cultures, traditions and communities is our strength. 

         Lord Harihar is a prime example of this innate quality.  When a division occurred in Hinduism between the Shaivites and the Vaishnavites,  we combined both the Gods to create a half - Shiva,  half - Vishnu image.  Lord Harihar was born. Although he is not a very popular god today, perhaps due to our unipolar thinking, but He is still worshipped in the Lingraj temple at Bhuveneshwar.  

         Harihar is unique as he combines the quality of the intellect  (Shiva) and the quality of the heart (Vishnu). Here He holds the trident and the rosary of Lord Shiva --the ability to control the mind through meditation.  He also holds the 'Sudarshan Chakra' and the conch shell of Lord Vishnu--the ability to cut through difficulties and to sustain things. 

         It is a sculpture with a powerful message and philosophy.  Let us celebrate the multi - dimensionality of our Indian civilisation.