Underground Shrine Queens Stepwell Patan

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

Page 64

Temple of Immortal Bliss
6. Bhayānaka : Terrible : Cāmundā, Bhairava, Yoginis 7. Bibhatsa : Disgusting : Cāmundā, Bhairava, Yoginis 8. Adbhuta : Wonderful : Child counting teeth of Lion, Sadya-snātā Nāyikā
9. Sānta : Peace : Şages in Meditation, penance tapaś charyā 10. Vātsalya : Mother's Love : MātỊ Vātsalya images; Śuka- kanyā
A closer study of the sculptures will reveal that these Rasas are expressed in the various images and above all express our spiritual understanding nay the perinnial philosophy of our life.
As we stand in humble supplication musing on the step-well, the sculptures of the step-well reveal to our mental eye the temporal beauty melting away into spiritual enlightenment. Maidens in worship and devotion, gods and goddesses, saints and ascetics in sadhanā all engrossed in self-surrender at the feet of the divine Lord. He who contains the entire cosmos and the drama of creation, sustenance and annihilation is enacted by the living beings in the eternal flow of life. Queen's step-well gives the grand, sacred message of spiritual fulfilment, liberation or moksa the ultimate summum bonum of human life, a path by which we can return to our divine master from whom we are stranded in the hurry and scurry of worldly life.
Udayamati's step-well is soul elevating aesthetic panorama of life in which the artists have brought down the divine on the Earth and raised man to meet the divinity on the Earth. Here art seems to mediate between the experience of the world and the experience of the transcendental.
This supreme artistic creation is yet to catch the eyes of the connoisseur of art as it is discovered but recently and opened for public view. As time rolls on, it will have its venerable, exalted position in the sculptural arts of our country.
As we behold the beauty of Queen's step-well, we are transported to a realm where eternal beauty floats on the cosmic waters of the well. This grand monument is the sweetest song of Queen Udayamati, culminating in cadence of prayer.