Indian arts drew on the rich mythological landscape of Hinduism populated with thousands of gods, goddesses, fantastic beasts and landscapes. In fact the thousands of gods of Hinduism are mainly representations of the three main gods Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Together they are the manifestation of the Supreme Being known as Brahman.
Of this holy trinity, Vishnu and Shiva were the most worshipped. Sculptures of stone were made for temples and of brass for use in homes and temples for worship.
Vishnu was generally represented in sculpture as sitting on the sacred serpent Shesha , or in the form of one of his many avatars such as Krishna, or Matsya the fish. Another popular sculpture of Vishnu represented him seated on his vehicle the Garuda. In his four hands, he holds his attributes the conch, disc, club and lotus.
Shiva the terrible was most popularly sculpted as Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. In this sculpture, he is engaged in a cosmic dance in a aureole of flames. His left leg is lifted in dance and his right foot steps on the demon dwarf Apasmara who symbolises ignorance. He has four arms. In two of his hands, he holds a small drum and fire. As for his other two hands, one forms the elaborate gestures known as abhaya mudra which indicates that people should not be afraid. His other hand points down to his raised foot.
Of this holy trinity, Vishnu and Shiva were the most worshipped. Sculptures of stone were made for temples and of brass for use in homes and temples for worship.
Vishnu was generally represented in sculpture as sitting on the sacred serpent Shesha , or in the form of one of his many avatars such as Krishna, or Matsya the fish. Another popular sculpture of Vishnu represented him seated on his vehicle the Garuda. In his four hands, he holds his attributes the conch, disc, club and lotus.
Shiva the terrible was most popularly sculpted as Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. In this sculpture, he is engaged in a cosmic dance in a aureole of flames. His left leg is lifted in dance and his right foot steps on the demon dwarf Apasmara who symbolises ignorance. He has four arms. In two of his hands, he holds a small drum and fire. As for his other two hands, one forms the elaborate gestures known as abhaya mudra which indicates that people should not be afraid. His other hand points down to his raised foot.