VIRABHADRA

Bronze India 18th century Dimensions: Height 31 cm Wide 18 cm Depth 9 cm Weight: 2861 grams Virabhadra, the wrathful form of Shiva, was created by Shiva as a vengeful act after the self-immolation of his consort Sati. Virabhadra attacked the deities which attended the so called Daksha yajna, the ritual sacrifice organized by Daksha. This statue shows the god with four arms, standing on a multi-tiered expansive base wearing plateau sandals, a short dhoti with lined and dotted pattern and tassels running down from his hip belt, a small curved knife tucked in it. A large garland is drooping over his knees. The body is adorned with jewellery, wearing shoulder pads. He is holding a sword, a shield, a bow and an arrow, ready to fight. The face is calm with large eyes, the head adorned with a winged conical crown. The statue is backed by a throne with incised patterns and an ornamental canopy on top framed by a fiery aureole with kirtimukha at the center top.