Bhikshatana Shiva

Description

This sculpture depicts Shiva as Bhikshatana- the form he assumes after severing Brahma's fifth head in anger- depicting him as a naked mendicant, begging for alms. This form rose to prominence in southern India, being worshipped as a subsidiary deity in Tamil Shaivite temples. The iconography for Bhikshatana is also discussed in the Shaiva Agamas like the Kamikagama, Karanagama and the Silparatna. He is depicted with four arms- holding grass for an antelope, a power drum (damru), Brahma's severed skull as a begging bowl, and his trident (trisula). His hair is depicted to be dishevelled (jatabhadra), often featuring a serpent as well. His face is shown lined with sacred ash, while snake ornaments adorn his torso. With a yajnopavita, a snake is also tied around his body. One also finds iconographic features of Bhairava also mentioned with Bhikshatana at times. This sculpture features all the above qualities and depictions of the deity. Though damage has led to the absence of one arm, the remainder still paints a fairly comprehensive picture.