Buddhist Antiques, Asian and Indian Artifacts, Ganesha and Virabhadra

Stone Carving, Stone Relief, Ganesha on Lotus Flower With Virabhadra

Ganesha and Virabhadra

This sculptural fragment is part of a lintel set that would have shown the SaptaMatrikas or seven mother goddesses. This row of goddesses terminates with the images of Virabhadra and Ganesha, seen here in this stone relief. These two gods are not shown as a pair otherwise.

Virabhadra is a fierce emanation of Shiva. When the great sage Daksha failed to invite his son-in-law Shiva to a Vedic sacrificial rite, Dhaksha's outraged daughter Sati committed suicide in shame. On hearing of the loss of his beloved wife Shiva became furious. Out of that fury from within his matted locks of hair, Virabhadra emerged. He was immediately dispensed to destroy both Dhaksha and his sacrifice. The presence of Virabhadra with the Matrika grouping is something of a mystery. Previously the role was allotted to Ganesha's younger brother Skanda or Kartikeya. He has an awesome and protective presence. In his upheld right hand he holds a broad sword and his left hand rests upon an oblong shield. His bulging eyes are indicative of his wrathful mood, yet something of a smile plays about his lips. Small fangs can be seen protruding from the corners of his mouth.

Next to Virabhadra is Ganesha displaying his usual attributes, in the upper right hand the elephant goad and the lower right, his broken tusk. In the upper left is a noose or lasoo and in the lower left his favorite round sweet modaka. Ganesha's trunk sniffs at the modaka ball in his hand. Ganesha's function is of course the removal of obstacles and the placing of them where wisdom calls for it. Here he sits upon a fully opened lotus flower. Ganesha is always invoked before any new activity is begun in the belief that, successfully propitiated, he will sweep away any impediments to the attainment of worthwhile goals.