The Tala Rudra Shiva statue is a statue situated within the Devrani Jethani Temple Complex in Tala, in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. Excavated in 1988, it is displayed in situ, with a shed built around it. The statue is about 2.7 meters tall, and weighs about 5 tonnes. Various parts of the figure's body are represented as animals, and some are in the form of human faces.
The identity of this figure is a matter of contention among historians. It is popularly identified as Shiva in his Rudra form. However, some scholars have also posited that it might depict Pashupati, or that it might have functioned as a dvarapala (door guardian statue).
A third phase of excavation was conducted in 1987–1988, under the supervision of K. K. Chakravarty. It was focused around the southeast of the Devrani Temple, near its entrance, and the Rudra Shiva was unearthed here on 17 January 1988. The statue was found buried, with its ventral side down, and dorsal side facing up.[1][2] Based on the lack of damage to the statue, it is posited that it was deliberately buried, rather than having fallen down accidentally.[3]As of 2018[update], the statue is displayed in situ, and a shed has been built around it for protection.[3]
Description
The face of the statue. Various parts are in the form of animals; These include the eyes (frogs), nose (lizard), lips (fish), ears (peacocks), and chin (crab).Seven human heads located on the statue, with two found on the chest, a large head constituting the abdomen, and a pair of heads on each of the thighs. The erect penis in the form of a tortoise is also seen.Lion-heads constitute the knees of the figure.
The statue is about 2.7 meters tall, and weighs about 5 tonnes.[2] It is a two-armed figure, and stands in the samapada position, i. e. with its feet together. Various parts of its body are made out of animal figures, human heads, and lion heads.[4] The figure is wearing a jata turban, which is composed of two snakes. A lizard forms its nose, while the hind legs of the lizard form the eyebrows. The eyes are shaped like frogs, and peacocks constitute the ears. The moustache is composed of two fishes, while the lower lip and chin are formed by a crab. The shoulders are in the form of makara crocodiles.[4] Its hands are resting upon its waistband, which is in the form of a snake. Its fingers are also in the form of a snake, and a snake twists around the left leg of the figure.[3][5]
Seven human heads are found throughout its body. These include two heads which form the chest, and a large head which forms the abdomen. These are male heads, and their faces are mustached. Each thigh contains a pair of female heads, one facing the front and the other facing the side. The front-facing heads have smiling faces, and folded hands emerging from them (in the anjali posture).[4][6]
The figure has an erect penis, composed of the head and neck of a tortoise, while its forelimbs constitute the testicles. Lion-heads constitute each knee.[4][6] The figure's legs are shaped like elephant legs.[7]
Analysis
The statue is popularly considered to depict Shiva in his Rudra form. While the ithyphallic nature of the statue points to this conclusion, it does not contain any of the other characteristic features of Shiva.[6][8] The prolific use of animal imagery leads some scholars to the conclusion that it depicts Pashupati, which is the form of Shiva worshipped as the "lord of animals". However, this does not explain the human heads which are also found on the statue. Hans Bakker notes the similarities between ganas (attendants of Shiva) and this sculpture, and identifies it as a gana.[3] Other interpretations identify it as a Yaksha.
If the spot where it was excavated (by the doorway of the Devrani temple) was where the figure originally stood, it might have functioned as a dvarapala, or "door guardian" statue.[3]
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