Uma Maheshvara, Uchana

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. While this sculpture is not as well-preserved, one can still clearly distinguish the smiling expression of the deities. Parvati here is shown to be seated in the atikarohana posture, on Shiva’s lap, while the both of them are shown to be seated atop Nandi, Shiva’s vahana. Shiva is also shown wearing a yajnopavita, and with his right foot over a lotus pedestal.