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A sandstone chaturmukhi lingham Central Indian, Post-Gupta, circa 8th century
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A sandstone chaturmukhi lingham
The cylindrical central column with a flattened top surrounded by the four aspects of Shiva, each pointing in a different cardinal direction, alluding to Shiva's most prominent aspects. These comprise Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva in his terrifying form, two faces which show his different attitudes as a withdrawn and serene ascetic, Nandivaktra and Mahadeva, Umavaktra, representing his consort, the embodiment of feminine power. 9 1/2 in. (23.5 cm.) high
Footnotes
The lingam is one of the oldest symbols of life and fertility in South Asia. While lingams were probably part of the religious lives of even the earliest peoples of the region, they came to be identified with the classical Hindu god Shiva. Shiva is a god of ambiguities and opposites: he lives a happy domestic life with his wife, the goddess Parvati, and his two sons, and he lives another life as a forest-dwelling ascetic surrounded by animals.
Compare with another in The Norton Simon Museum of Art
F.1972.11.2.S, see Pal, Art from the Indian Subcontinent, 2003, no. 76, p. 117.
Provenance:
Acquired from Spink & Son, 1983
























