[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908) › c7.253 # Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.253 Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.253 - **Language:** English ### [c7.253](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.253) One of the finest extant works of Hindu sculpture is the magnificent bronze figure of Siva, as Natêsa, "The Dancer," which is now in the Madras Museum (Plate XXV.). It is remarkable, not only for extraordinary technical and decorative skill, but for the consummate art with which the abstract ideas of Hindu philosophy are materialised. Siva, the third person of the Hindu Triad, in his material aspect, personifies the powers of destruction and of reproduction—Death and Life; but in his spiritual aspect he represents the Joy of Creation, and the Bliss of Nirvana. To make this last idea intelligible, he is represented in Hindu art as dancing in divine ecstasy upon a prostrate Asura, or spirit of evil. He has four arms, a superhuman attribute treated in this bronze with a wonderful decorative sense and artistic feeling. The first right hand in front is raised in the act of blessing; the corresponding left hand is bent downwards to dispel fear, or to prevent the intrusion of evil spirits. With the second right hand he is shaking a small hour-glass-shaped drum, to the accompaniment of which he is dancing; the corresponding left one holds the sacrificial fire which leads to salvation. - [Previous: c7.252](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.252) - [Next: c7.254](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.254) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.253](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.253) · Pramāṇa