Studies in Indian Art c14.s2.18

c14.s2.18

3. Bas-relief (3'—2"×2'—4") showing Śiva in his Tripurāntaka form. Śiva stands in *pratyālīḍha* posture and is piercing the demon Tripura poised in the sky with his trident held in two hands (*Fig. 157*). Two other hands hold aloft the canopy of elephant skin. Of the remaining right hands one holds the *paraśu* and the other is held in *abhaya mudrā*. Pārvatī is seated in a low seat in front of Śiva. The god is touching her at the chin in the act of reassuring her. She is holding her son Kārttikeya, standing by her side, as if to afford him protection from fear caused by commotion in this great drama.