Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c7.s6.12
Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c7.s6.12
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c7.s6.12
The so-called unicorn may better be described as *Śṛṅga-Vṛisha*, i.e., an ox with horns. This seems to have been the sacred animal of Rudra-Śiva, Nandī of later tradition and up to now the bull is the symbol *par excellence* of Śiva. Another animal depicted on the seals shows the composite form of ox and antelope. Both are associated with Śiva-Rudra, described as a hunter (*Mṛiga-Vyādha*) holding a deer in his hand. There is a curious marking on the shoulder found only on this animal. Similarly the standard or pillar planted in front does not appear with any other animal except the unicorn.