Underground Shrine Queens Stepwell Patan

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

Page 54

8. THE ETERNAL WOMAN OF GRACE AND BEAUTY
From the celestial world of the Divine, the artists of Queen's step-well glide into the world of human beings but this has been done with such imagination of grace, beauty and harmony that one is thrilled with their creativity, compositional dexterity and excellence. In between the panels depicting gods and goddesses and humans are the panels of saints and ascetics in meditation and austerity, women in worship and devotion or else engaged in household chores of daily life and women with their children. They are all full of grace which is so captivating and inspiring as well. One wonders at the broad vision and insight of artists' peering eyes that reveal every important aspect of life of the ancient and early medieval period with supreme synthesis leading to oneness.
Mātr-Vatsalya Mūrtis : It is a supreme theme which has charmed the attention of man from the most prehistoric times to the medieval and the modern day. It is precisely the human mother who transcends into the divine mother. She not only tames, trains and nurtures man into culture, but all the cultures and civilisations are nurtured in her benevolent laps. In our country motherhood and fatherhood of god comingle into one integral divinity which is so aptly expressed in all our art creations.
Putra Vatsalya Nāyikā : She is holding the child in her arms, diverting its attention from other things and showing him the moon. It is so reminiscent of the famous poet Suradāsa who wrote such lyrical poems 500 years latter on this subject of maternal love where baby Krsna insists on mother Yaśodā to give him the moon and mother looks on at him completely charmed.
"Mother give me the moon for playing.” Mother holding the child plucking Mango from a tree : The baby sees the mango hanging from the branch while mother holds the child high enough for enabling it to pluck the mango. We see the eagerness of the child and compassion of the mother entwined in effusive love.
Mother and Children : Mother enjoying the sight of her playing children while she keeps the youngest clinging to her waist. One child is restless and is