Salabhanjika

Salabhanjika

Prathihara Dynasty, 9th Century AD, Gwalior Museum

         Considered the Mona Lisa of India, this sculpture of Salabhanjika is the best known sculpture of the Gwalior Museum.  

         The Yakshini is beautifully jewelled, bedecked with a heavy coiffure --to the point that it tilts her head towards her left side; she steps forward, revealing her  thighs; her skirt is tide on the side, but is just about to come off. She has a mysterious smile. As in  Mona Lisa we do not know the reason for her smile: is she thinking of a lover, or of her husband--the Yaksha, or looking at the pranks of a child, or thinking of her own beauty,  or perhaps smiling at human folly.  

          She is young and divine.  She is a thing of beauty, a joy for ever.