Uma Maheshvara, Beri

Description

This sculpture shows the benign form of the divine couple- Shiva and Parvati- as described in the Shaiva Siddhanta and the Silpa corpus of texts. This depiction of Shiva with Parvati forms one of the 25 forms of Shiva in Hindu iconography representing the power and significance of procreation, and is found primarily in temple complexes as reliefs. Both deities became prominent within the pantheon following the composition and proliferation of the Puranic corpus across the subcontinent. The union of Uma (Parvati) with Mahesvara (Shiva) is seen to depict the union of the masculine with the feminine- the union of man (purusa) with nature (prakriti)- resulting in sristi (procreation), continuing the universal balance of creation. Moreover, their union as deity-consort also puts forth family and domestic values alongside their spiritual and religious authority- displaying the deep connection between family structures and social order. In this depiction, one finds them seated in a part-kucasparsa and part-atikarohana posture, with their children- Ganesha and Kartikeya- seated alongside their parents in the background, while their respective vahanas crouched beneath their throne. One also must make note of the immense detailing in the work- from the jewellery of the deities to the carved background of the sculpture, representing a number of bearers, demigods, ganas etc.