Image title: Figure 30. Lord Siva

This a sculpture of Lord Siva. He is 4 armed. Front two hands are holding Anjali Hasta in front of the chest. Other right hand is holding a Parasu and the second left hand is holding a deer (not very clear). It is an Abhanga posture, Kati is in Udvahita on left, left leg is straight and unbent, right leg is at ease, Pada are in Sama. This can classified as Karana no.6–Lina. “Linam is a Karana where the hands are held in Patakanjali in front of the chest. The shoulders are raised and the head is in Nihancita. In this Karana, after making Urdhvamandala movement above the head the hands take an Anjali pose in front of the chest.” But since the right leg is assuming Avahitta Sthana and the body is in Abhanga posture, it could be a variation of Lina. This Sthana is making the body bend to the right.

Gallery information:

Kumbakonam is considered as one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu and is known for its temples and Mathas (monasteries which were centres of Brahmanical learning). These photographs depict the connection between the sculptures in the temples and Natya Shastra and related texts dealing with iconography.