Description
Shiva became Vishapaharana when he rid the worlds of the threat of poison that emerged from Sagara Manthana. As Vishapaharana, Shiva saved the entire universe by consuming the deadly Kaalkoota Visham (poison) that was the first to surface from Sagara Manthana (Churning of the Ocean – a Puranic event) and it seemed the entire creation could be annihilated with its burning fumes.
The devas (gods) and asuras (demons) that were involved in Sagara Manthana beseeched Shiva for protection. The compassionate Shiva then gathered the poison, which came to just filling up his palm, and consumed it. He however didn’t let it pass beyond his throat.
This sculpture of Vishapaharan Murti arrests the moment when Shiva is ready to consume poison that he holds as a ball in his lower right hand. He holds a snake in his lower left hand indicative of Shiva’s immunity to poison.
He smiles pleasantly sitting in Sukhasana (comfortable pose) and adorned with beautiful jewelry. He wears his hair as Jatamakuta (hair fashioned as crown) and male and female earrings in his right and left ears respectively, which represent his completeness.
Shiva holds Parashu (axe) and Mriga (deer) in his upper right and left hands respectively. Seated on a solid, square pedestal this form of Shiva looks awesome. And so does the intricate carving on his crown and other jewelry. This is very high quality South Indian bronze sculpture work.
Special Comments
The mentioned weight is approximate as this is a large statue involving much artistic effort and artists didn't weigh the statue after creation. However the weight is estimated in relation to the size of the sculpture by their creator artists who are very experienced so the mentioned weight is close to actual.This statue is of significant size so it is created hollow. It already weighs much and if it were created solid that would have not only increased the weight of the sculpture unnecessarily but it also would be much cumbersome to move the sculpture.