Essay name: The Sculptures of Madan-Kamdev (Study)
Author:
Kamal Nayan Patowary
Affiliation: Gauhati University / Department of History
The essay critically studies the Sculptures of Madan-Kamdev: an archaeological site in Baihata Chariali, Kamrup, Assam (India) dating back to the 9th century A.D. The site features elegant sculptures in relief and round forms which are documented in Sanskrit texts like the Kalika Purana and Yogini Tantra.
Chapter 3 - Iconographic-sculptural study
70 (of 86)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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naramundamala is visible only to the waist portion of the sculpture
of our concern when it should be to the head, chest as well as to
the waist region as according to the Kalika Purana. The third
important point of our concerned is to confirm the status of the
lying man whom the deity used as the seat for her unique identity.
Regarding this the first point which came to our consideration is
that the man failed to approach us as being a dead one as the man
in his one sided lying posture supported his head with his left
hand, and accordingly he looks to be in a pleasure mood of
sleeping. This is a decisive observation as on that we can simply
reject the scope of her identity on the line of our first proposition
i.e. as Devi Tripur Bhairavi. Now regarding the question of her
other scope of identity, it is interesting that the man in his
appearance does not have any form of conformity with the
representation of Lord Sadasiva, but in concept he looks to be a
man of divine identity who has the capacity to bear the weight as
well as the pride of this beautiful female deity. This type of
representation as a weight bearer of any divine female being is
popular with the representation of goddess Kali who normally
described as being a deity to stand on the chest portion of Lord
Sadasiva. In reference to Goddess Kamakhya, one of the alien
version of Goddess Kali, the Kalika Purana 151 also has made it
confirm that Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwar, the trinity of the Hindu
universe are the Vahana of the Mahatejomoi Devi Kamakhya and
151. Biṣnubrahma Sibaiddraibai Dhriyatesa Jaganmayi
Sitapreto Mahādevo Brahmā Lohita Pankajam !!
Hariharristu Bijñayo Bāhonani Mahaujasah !
Swamurttan Bahanatwantu Tesan Jsmanna Jujyate !!
(KP 58/65-66).
