Hindu Museum Reproduction

Shiva, the destroyer and regenerator forms part of the main Hindu trinty of gods together with Brahma, the creator and vishnu, the protector. Shiva is one of the oldest gods of India. Images of him have been found that are dated to 2500 B.C. Shiva is the god who destroyed creation after every Kalpa, and at the same time he became the great ascetic who preserved the world with his meditation He was related to aspects of fertility, and his symbol is the lingram, the male reproductive organ and the source of his power. This sculpture is one of the best known depections of Shiva. He is seated on the tops of the Himalayas in deep meditation. His abode is the sacred mountain Kailash. He is wearing a simple loin cloth, sometimes with the hide of an antelope around him, and seated on a tiger skin. He wears a moon sickle in his hair and a snake coil around his neck. In his hands he holds a trident and an ax. His face is turned to the south(Dakshina), the direction which brings good luck. He is the greatest of all the yogi's.

Material: Bronze

Size: 9" H