Shiva is one of the most complex Indian deities with many manifestations. He appears in the Rg Veda, a sacred collection of Sanskrit hymns, dating to approximately 1700–1100 B.C.E. In that text, Shiva appears as Rudra, a fierce, destructive deity.
Later, Shiva appears again in Puranas, ancient Hindu texts which relate the history of the universe, genealogies, and descriptions of Hindu cosmology, philosophy, and geography. The Shiva Purana describes Shiva as creator, preserver, destroyer, benign teacher, and yogi. Shiva’s destructive powers enable purification, the clear observation of reality, and thus, the opportunity for regeneration.
Shiva may be recognized by several attributes, including the third eye on his forehead, the snake Vasuki (usually around his neck), the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, and the damaru drum. The two sides of the drum represent opposites which fuse together when played, creating one sound: the cosmic sound of AUM, a meditation mantra and the source of the universe. Shiva’s vehicle is the bull, Nandi.
The bronze and brass sculptures of Shiva in this gallery emulate the Chola style. At that time, bronze sculptures of Hindu deities during the Chola period (9th-13th centuries) were created as portable embodiments of the gods, cared for by priests and carried outside the temple during rituals. In the ritual context, deities were bathed, dressed in rich fabrics, and adorned with jewelry and flowers.
India, 20th century, in the Chola style, Brass. Shiva Nataraja’s dance represents the cycle of destruction and creation of the universe. He is surrounded by a ring of cosmic fire and crushes the demon of ignorance under his feet. Gift of Ms. M. Lit, M-019
India, 19th century in the Chola style of the 10th century, Bronze. Gift of Robert Klein, M-024
India, 12th century, Pala dynasty, Gray schist stone. Parvati, the daughter of the great mountain Himalaya, is the embodiment of beauty, grace, and wisdom. She had been devoted to Shiva since childhood and made offerings to him every night. A deity predicted that Parvati would one day become Shiva’s wife. But the union took time to become a reality, because Shiva was so immersed in meditation. Parvati became his servant but could not gain his attention. Discouraged, she became a mountain ascetic, where she meditated upon Shiva. One day a Brahman youth visited her and tried to dissuade her from her obsession with Shiva. She insisted that she could not change her feelings. At that point, the youth removed his disguise, revealed himself to be Shiva, and gave his love to her. Gift of the Asian Cultural Exchange Foundation, S-003
India, 16th century, Gray schist stone. Surya, the Hindu sun deity, is the giver and protector of life. He is often depicted riding a chariot harnessed by seven horses, representing the seven colors of the rainbow and the seven chakras (the body’s energy centers). Yogis meditate upon Surya for illumination through the Gayatri mantra, which appears in the Vedas (ancient Hindu scriptures): “We meditate upon the joyful one who is all bliss and who illuminates and dispels all ignorance. May our intellect be illumined.” Gift of the Asian Cultural Exchange Foundation, S-002
India, 18th century, Bronze. Krishna, a manifestation of the Hindu deity, Vishnu, is often depicted as a boy or a man playing the flute. In the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient text that is part of the Indian Mahabharata epic, Krishna teaches the warrior, Arjuna, about the actions and practices required to achieve self-realization. Krishna explains how a yogi should meditate to subdue his mind. He also indicates that through meditation, one can see the Self in the Self by the Self. Gift of Robert Klein, M-022