Underground Shrine Queens Stepwell Patan

Author(s): Jaikishandas Sadani
Publisher: B J Institute of Learning & Research

Page 36

Siva
The vahana of each of the deity is present by his side. Near Brahmā is seated the swan, Nandi - the Bull sits near Siva's attendants. The sprightly horse is near the Sun's image while Garuda is seen sitting near Vişņu. The surrounding frame has twelve images of the Sun. They are the Dvādaśa Adityas. Sun is thus the predominant deity in this quarternity.
Ardhanārisvara : The image of Ardhanārīśvara is very popular in many outstanding Siva temples. It is Siva and Sakti combined in one form. It i representation of the unity of the male and female form in Siva and Pārvati respectively. It is described in the Purāņic lores found in Siva Purāņa, Mārkaņdeya Purāņa and Brhat Samhitā. From the point of sculpture the details of making this image are given in Vişņu Dharmottara (3.55.2-4). Abhilaşitārtha Cintāmaņi (3.1.772) has given a very detailed description of the sculptural beauty of Ardhanārīśvara. Siplaratnākara also dwells upon the image of Ardhanārīšvara. A very impressive image is found in Elephanta caves. In Queen's step-well we have a well preserved statue of Ardhanārīśvara. It is in front view standing posture. On the right side is Siva and the left is Pārvati. The ornaments put on by male adorn the right side body and the left side has all female royal ornaments viz. the earring, necklaces, bracelets, waist band etc. The image has four hands. The right side two hands are of Siva holding varadamālā and trident or trisüla while the two left hands of Sakti hold a pitcher and a mirror. The Siva side head has matted hair or jatā while the left has the mukuta or the crown of the goddess. On Siva's side there is one male and one female attendent and on Sakti's side there are two female attendents. In the outer frame the one on Siva's side is eroded and the miniature images can not be recognised but the plates of the side of Sakti are still intact. In them there are three plates of standing female figures and in one plate there is a sitting goddess.
This statue in particular, inspired a great psychological insight in C. J. Jung who concluded that there is man in every woman and woman in every man. From this he inducted his psychological concept of anima and animus.
A beautiful wooden image of Ardhanārīśvara was found in Patan. It is well preserved in the Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay.
Ardhanārīśvara pratimās are also found in Mahabalipuram, Kanjivaram, Kumbhakonam, Mathura, Brihadiśvar Tanjavayur. Describing Ardhanārīşvara, Vişņudharmottara Purāņa says:
अर्धदेवस्य नारी तु कर्तव्या शुभलक्षणा अर्धं तु पुरुषः कार्यस्सर्वलक्षणभूषितः । ईश्वरार्धे जटाजूटं कर्तव्यं चन्द्रभूषितं 34784 fastah pura H14274620 7e (55.9)