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19. Lakshmi India, Tamil Nadu Chola 12th - 13th c. granite height 85 cm. |
To Hindus, the goddess Lakshmi is the bringer of good fortune. She governs all forms of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. As the consort of Vishnu, the god of preservation, Lakshmi Devi embodies sublime beauty, siddhi, peace, strength, balance, auspiciousness, opulence and wisdom. Lakshmi was born when the Devas (minor gods) contended with the Asuras (demons) for possession of amrit, the nectar of immorality. The Devas had been unexpectedly bereft of their strength and thus were vulnerable to the Asuras’ attack. They asked Vishnu what to do, and Vishnu devised a shrewd plan: the gods and demons would work together to churn the Milk Ocean and obtain the nectar of immortality – but, promised Vishnu, not a drop of nectar would the Asuras drink. Using Mount Mandara as the churning stick and the great serpent Vasuki as the rope, the gods and their rivals began to churn. Vishnu, in the form of Kurma, the tortoise, dived to the bottom of the ocean to bear the mountain on his back and prevent it sinking into the ocean bed. The Ocean yielded fourteen treasures, including Lakshmi Devi and the coveted amrit. Lakshmi chose Vishnu as her husband and he carried her into his heaven. Each time an avatar of Vishnu descends to earth he is accompanied by an avatar of Lakshmi. Lakshmi is seated in rajalalitasana, the posture of royal ease, her right foot on the rectangular base and her left foot extended down to rest on a lotus flower. In her raised right hand is a lotus bud, the utpala, symbolizing purity and spiritual elevation. Her left hand is in the posture of varadamudra, conferring grace and charity. Like Vishnu, her consort, she is adorned with a tall mukuta with diadems, flowers behind her ears, and ear ornaments. She too wears the yagnopavita, the Brahmanical sacred cord, across her body, as well as a necklace, bracelets and anklets. Luxurious curls cascade across her shoulders and at her back a fragment of nimbus remains. Originally this sculpture would have formed a pair with the image of Vishnu image on the previous page, to serve a Chola temple in South India. The Chola dynasty flourished between the ninth and thirteenth centuries. Based on the banks of the Cauvery River, the Cholas overthrew their Pallava and Pandya neighbours and established themselves as the major regional force. Their patronage of Tamil literature and their zeal in temple-building produced great works of Tamil literature and architecture. The Chola kings were avid builders and envisioned the temples in their kingdoms not only as places of worship but also as centres of economic activity. They pioneered a centralized form of government and established a disciplined bureaucracy. In general, Cholas were the adherents of Hinduism and throughout their history, they were not swayed by the rise of Buddhism and Jainism. Being the goddess of good fortune, Lakshmi is portrayed here as a beautiful young woman. Her facial expression is inspired, friendly and full of life. The fine tension and natural movement of her body complement this fine stone sculpture, revealing a majestic female image, an elegant classic Chola masterwork. Art Loss Register Certificate, Reference S00004038. P. Pal, Asian art at the Norton Simon Museum: art from the Indian Subcontinent, Norton Simon Museum, vol. I, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2003, p.260, pl. 185, India, Tamil Nadu, Uma, Chola, c. 1200, height 130,8 cm, F.1976.5.3.S. R. Russek, Hinduismus, Bilderkanon und Deutung, Battenberg Verlag, München, 1986, p.140, pl. 153. India, Sri-Devi, 11th century, Chola, height 118 cm. |