Studies in Indian Art c9.s1.6

c9.s1.6

The images of Śiva are two fold, namely in human form and in Liṅga form. The Liṅga form is literally the symbolical form, namely the life principle which has not become manifest in body. It is the unmanifest or the *Avyakta* principle not yet materialised. It is the symbol of fire or the creative principle or the primeval seed which is the source of world progenition. The opposite principle of Śiva is Pārvatī; whereas Śiva is fiery energy, Pārvatī is Soma. They both typify the father principle and the mother principle respectively. They are the cosmic parents. The male and the female conjointly become the Ardhanārīśvara. Both are essential for creation of new life, which is symbolised as their son, Kumāra or Skanda. Śiva is also shown with five heads which are the symbols of the five gross elements of matter. The moon on his head is the symbol of mind and of immortality. The snakes typify the opposite principle of death or poison or darkness or *asura*. The bull of Śiva is the symbol of Kāma or passion whom the great God brought under his control by the power of *tapas* and *samādhi*. The images of these deities are manifold but all of them illustrate the language of symbolism as adopted for the sake of religious worship.