Vishnu's qualities of preserver and maintener of the universe and the established order make him one of the most popular gods of Hinduism since the Middle Ages.1 He is therefore the most widely worshipped god alongside Shiva, with whom he is part of the Hindu triumvirate of gods. The third god completing this trinity is Brahma. Vishnu's popularity can be explained by the values that he stands for and illustrates. Indeed, he oversees appropriate behaviour and the continuity of order. These qualities are central in orthodox India and ensure the preservation of social order. This makes Vishnu a benevolent god, and the household god par excellence. In this respect he is opposed to Shiva, who is considered to be the Destroyer of the universe. However, …show more content…
Analysing different and distinct interpretations of Vishnu in works of art is therefore useful in understanding the splits in his personality and how they are displayed and explored in Hindu art. In this essay, I will therefore look at three specific works of art in more details. These three works of art each represent the god as Vishnu, and not any of his avatars, although they are widely worshipped in Hinduism, especially Krishna and Rama. The reason behind this choice is that Vishnu himself is a very complex god, with an elaborate mythology and iconography, and that his avatars are as complex as him. Analysing only works of art which depict Vishnu as Vishnu therefore appears as the right choice in order to understand in depth different interpretations of the god. The first work of art is a Bengali sculpture from the twelfth century. The second artwork is a nineteenth-century painting from Kangra depicting Vishnu sleeping on the cosmic …show more content…
1). It represents Vishnu attended by lesser divinities.3 The god is depicted here in his waking state. He is standing up, and this attitude is called Sthakana-murti.4 This pose gives him a grounded aspect of immutability. He is smiling in a benvolent fashion, and the stillness of his pose give him a regal and dignified appearance. This representation of Vishnu is one of the most common in Hindu art, as it introduces and enhances the qualities of the god.5 The general aspect of the god herald him as a preseverver and a reassuring, benevolent protector. Following traditional iconography, Vishnu is represented wih four arms. These four arms have a very specific meaning. As Gupta puts it, they represent 'the four stages of development of the four forms of life, also dominion over the four directions of
The Assyrian Winged Protective Deity is a low relief sculpture, so it does not stand out as much against the stone it was carved out off, but the viewer can easily distinguish the outline of the figure portrayed. One foot of the figure is stepping forward, which could symbolize a continuation with life even after death to protect the king. The stance of this figure greatly resembles Egyptian reliefs, since they would often have their statues have one foot forward. They did this because it symbolized eternity through the afterlife, which the ka of the person needed. The ka ...
The order of the various pictures behind the chief, has great spiritual symbolism. The placement can be associated with the rise and fall of man.The lightning bolt symbolizes creation,a start of a new beginning. The eclipse of the moon is highly profound in the spiritual realm. According to Spiritual ResearchFoundation,
Brahma has four heads and its head come from the four Vedas, which is the ancient text of Hindu’s. Researchers say that the caste system came from different parts of Brahma’s body. Brahma’s companion is Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge. Today, Brahma is least worshiped. Vishnu is the preserver of the earth.
First, we begin with Vishnu. He is often described as “the one who gives rise to all,” specifically all the other gods and goddesses. Vishnu is also one of the three forms depicted in the Trimurti; which creates, sustains, and destroys the cosmos as we know it. Vishnu is often portrayed as the sustainer of the Trimurti; he maintains the world. Within the northern Sanskrit tradition of Pancaratra, Vishnu is noted to be “the Lord of transcendent cause and sustaining power of the cosmos”. If this Sri Vaisnava is held to be true, Vishnu would ultimately have to be seen as the most Absolute since he is t...
Hindus believe that when a soul expires, it acquires rebirth in a new body. This cycle is called samsara. To be set free from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth one must discover their true nature in order to be with the Brahman in Nirvana. In figure G a picture of a Cambodian statue of the A.D. 900 of Brahma meditating is presented. Nirvana is a state where pain, worry and the outer world do not exist. When a person in Hindu religion has bad Karma, they must take rebirth multiple times. The sacred source of all existence is divided among three gods. Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver, and Shiva is the destroyer. All three contribute to a person’s life and death and afterlife. In figure H a picture of a Vishnu sculpture is shown, and in figure I a picture of a sculpture of Shiva is
merged into one being. Vishnu has a curl of hair on his chest given to
One of the key characteristic of the two types of sculpture that is the subject of the painting. Hindu sculptures commonly represent their gods and deities, such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Buddhist sculptures dating between the 1st and 5th century use symbols such as the wheel, footprints, or empty thrones to represent the teachings of Buddha. Sculptures after the 6th
There are over 330 million deities in the Hindu religion, which may seem like a daunting number at first, but myths help with understanding that the many are the same. Valmiki’s Ramayana, one of Hinduism’s two great epics, holds great value in Hindu literature, religion, and society. Vishnu’s avatar, Rama, is sent down to defeat the demon king of Lanka, Ravana, who has received a boon which allows him to be invisible to all beings except humans. Rama, being a human avatar, is able to see and slay the demon, who has become a “cruel, proud and invincible tyrant” (Bose Summary, 100). In these series of events, he upholds his varna dharma over his individual dharma. This myth illustrates the importance of dharma and is used in secular and religious
The painting are from two different time periods. Abaporu dates from 1928. The name of the artist is Tarsila do Amaral from Brazil. The painting is oil on canvas. Portrait of a Lady dates from 1490 by Domenico Ghirlandaio from Italy. Portrait of a Lady is tempera and oil on panel.
In his upper right hand, he holds damaru which is a hand drum that made the first sounds of creation. In his upper right hand, he holds agni that is a fire that is strong enough to destroy the universe. With the lower right hand, he has abhayamunda which is a gesture that allays fears. The figure that is located on the right foot is apasmara purusha and that is an illusion, that will lead mankind away. " Shiva's front left hand, pointing to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul.”
Thus, it is understandable, based on the various gods worshipped in Hinduism that one must look at th...
Tibetan thanka[1] paintings are a wonderful example of the interconnectedness of religion and art. These images are “not meant to be the object of simple idolatry” (Jackson 11), but rather take on a more interactive role, which can be applied to nearly every facet of traditional Tibetan life. Tibetan Buddhism pervades all aspects of the creation and use of thanka paintings—in the training and requirements of the artists who create the paintings, in the physical creative process itself, in the iconography used, and in all the painting’s multiple functions. Tibetan thanka paintings, throughout their entire lifespan—from concept to consecrated image—help devotional religious activity for Tibetan Buddhism[2].
An equally important meaning associated with the snake is that it represents Shiva’s dual power of destruction and creation. With the ability to shed its own skin and recreate new skin, the snake is a symbol of destruction and rebirth
Shiva is known as the destroyer of the world, but he also has many other roles. According to The Hindu Traditions Shiva is the; creator and destroyer, movement and tranquility, light and dark, and man and woman. These roles tend to be contradicting but Shiva has these roles in order to show that these things are more closely related than they appear to be. There are four main images of Shiva and they include: Mahayogi, Nataraja, Ardhaharishvara, and lingam. The four images of Shiva represent his different roles. The image of Shiva as the Mahayogi presents him in meditation and in a serene state. In this state Shiva is wearing animal skins and his eyes are only half open. The animal skin is a representation of being in touch with nature and his eyes are symbolizing that he is only partially in the world according to The Hindu Tradition’s. In the Mahayogi image he also tends to have a three prong trident that represents dominance over intelligence, mind and body. The cobra wrapped around his neck is his power over ego and in his hair is where the goddess Ganga lives. The image of Nataraja is one of the more famous images of Shiva and it displays him dancing. He is famous for his dancing and is often referred to a...
In Hindu mythology, one god created the world and is three people as one. How Hindu’s believe the earth was created by a single god that was three gods together, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Vishnu was cradled by a snake he was sleeping in, when a loud sound came from nowhere and awoke him where then a lotus flower grew from his navel with Brahma in it. Vishnu commanded Brahma to make a world, and so Brahma took pieces o...