CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Asokan edicts on the pillar

Subject: Asokan edicts on the pillar, also known as Laur or Bhim Sen ki Lathi

Subject: Asokan edicts on the pillar (detail)

Subject: Asokan edicts on the pillar (detail)

Subject: Inscription on the pillar

Subject: Asokan edicts on the pillar (detail)

Subject: Asokan edicts on the pillar (detail)

Subject: Asokan edicts on the pillar (detail)

Subject: Asokan edicts on the pillar (detail)

Subject: Vishnu: Vishnu stands in contrapposto, holding his attributes of discus and conch shell in his two rear hands. His front right hand is raised in the gesture of benediction, while the left hand rests casually against his thigh. Vishnu is richly adorned with jeweled ornaments and wears a tall cylindrical crown form.

Subject: Vishnu: Vishnu stands in contrapposto, holding his attributes of discus and conch shell in his two rear hands. His front right hand is raised in the gesture of benediction, while the left hand rests casually against his thigh. Vishnu is richly adorned with jeweled ornaments and wears a tall cylindrical crown form.

Subject: Nagaraja:  The imagery of serpent-human figures has a celebrated place in Indian mythology. Nagaraja is the king of nagas (serpents).

Subject: Surya: Surya, the Sun God is represented holding a lotus (padma) in each hand. The god stands frontally in an unflexed position (samabhnaga posture) and has an orblike halo setting off his crowned head. He wears elaborate ornaments including a jeweled crown (ratna mukuta), necklace (hara) and a sacred thread (yajnopavita). Images of Surya had a role to play in temples dedicated to other deities. In the imagery of northern India, Surya regularly wears boots; however in Tamil Nadu, Surya is invariably barefoot as are all other deities.

Subject: Ardhanarishvara: The composite figure of Shiva where he is depicted as half male and half female to indicate the shiva-shakti relationship of the unified whole. The right half represents Shiva while the left half represents Parvati. Shiva has the matted locks piled high on his head and leans on his mount, the bull. Parvati's side has a jeweled crown, earring, full breast, broad hips, long skirt, and only one arm.

Subject: Subrahamanya, lower part: Subrahmanya as Muruga is adored as the embodiment of youth, beauty and knowledge. Muruga is highly regarded in the Tamil country and his exploits are celebrated in Tamil literature. Subrahmanya is a War God, and Devasenapathi the greatest commander-in chief of the celestials.

Subject: Ardhanarishvara: The composite figure of Shiva where he is depicted as half male and half female to indicate the shiva-shakti relationship of the unified whole. The right half represents Shiva, while the left half represents Parvati. Shiva has the matted locks piled high on his head. Parvati's side has a jeweled crown, earring, full breast, broad hips, long skirt, and only one arm. Shiva is sitting in the pose of royal ease (lalitasana).

Subject: Ardhanarishvara: The composite figure of Shiva where he is depicted as half male and half female to indicate the shiva-shakti relationship of the unified whole. The right half represents Shiva while the left half represents Parvati. Shiva has the matted locks piled high on his head. Parvati's side has a jeweled crown, earring, full breast, broad hips, long skirt, and only one arm.

Subject: Ardhanarishvara: The composite figure of Shiva where he is depicted as half male and half female to indicate the shiva-shakti relationship of the unified whole. The right half represents Shiva while the left half represents Parvati. Shiva has the matted locks piled high on his head and leans on his mount, the bull. Parvati's side has a jeweled crown, earring, full breast, broad hips, long skirt, and only one arm.

Subject: Surya: Surya, the Sun God is represented holding a lotus (padma) in each hand. The god stands frontally in an unflexed position (samabhnaga posture) and has an orblike halo setting off his crowned head. He wears elaborate ornaments including a jeweled crown (ratna mukuta), necklace (hara) and a sacred thread (yajnopavita). Images of Surya had a role to play in temples dedicated to other deities. In the imagery of northern India, Surya regularly wears boots; however in Tamil Nadu, Surya is invariably barefoot as are all other deities.

Subject: Shiva is shown acting as the support of Ganga, the celestial river, on her descent to earth (Gangadhara).

Subject: Shivakamasundari: Parvati stands on a lotus pedestal over a square Bhadra Sana, has a karandamakuta (crown resembling a basket) on her head. She wears makara kundalas in her ears. Her right hand is in the attitude of ahuyavarada (gesture of invitation and charity) and the left hand is in lolasana (pendant pose).

Subject: Shivakamasundari: Parvati stands on a lotus pedestal over a square Bhadra Sana, has a karandamakuta (crown resembling a basket) on her head. She wears makara kundalas in her ears. Her right hand is in the attitude of ahuyavarada (gesture of fearlessness) and the left hand is in lolasana (pendant pose). This is back view of the image.

Subject: Parvati: Parvati is standing in tribhanga pose on a lotus pedestal over a bhadra peetah. The hands are seen in kataka and Iolahasta. She has a karanda mukuta and makara kundalas. Traces of trivali (three folds) can be seen on the abdomen. The waist zone is elaborately worked with tassels hanging from the sides and the center. Armlets, bracelets, padasaras (ornaments), necklaces and yajnopavita (sacred thread) have also been sculpted.

Subject: Parvati, standing, detail. Parvati: Parvati is standing in tribhanga pose on a lotus pedestal over a bhadra peetah. The hands are seen in kataka and Iolahasta. She has a karanda mukuta and makara kundalas. Traces of trivali (three folds) can be seen on the abdomen. The waist zone is elaborately worked with tassels hanging from the sides and the center. Armlets, bracelets, padasaras (ornaments), necklaces and yajnopavita (sacred thread) have also been sculpted.