Important Notice

TAMIL NADU, 12TH CENTURY
Granite
36 in (91.4 cm) high

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Mumbai


Bhairava is a powerful manifestation of Shiva, depicted with furrowed eyebrows, glaring eyes, and two sharp canines jutting over his lower lip. His dreadlocks assume the shape of a flame, and they are intertwined with snakes, scorpions and a crescent moon. In his hands, he holds his attributes: a drum, a trident, and a begging bowl which is an inverted skull. The fourth attribute, his pasha, is missing. Bhairava has been cursed to walk the earth for killing a Brahmin. The dog is his companion, as seen in the present lot.

Bhairava "...may be understood as a particular manifestation, or emanation of Shiva, or as Shiva displaying himself at a very high level. In some myths, Shiva created Bhairava as an extension of himself, in order to chastise Brahma. Bhairava is the embodiment of fear, and it is said that those who meet him must confront the source of their own fears." (Phil Hine, Bhairava: The Wrathful, philine.org.uk, accessed online)

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