[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) › c7.261 # Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.261 Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.261 - **Language:** English ### [c7.261](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.261) A cobra, used as an ornament by Siva, symbolic of his destructive power and of the doctrine of reincarnation—the serpent sheds its skin and reappears with apparently a new body, just as the human being slips off this mortal coil, and is, according to the Hindu doctrine, reincarnated—twines round one of the right arms; another, from the left arm, has slipped off and is grasped by the prostrate Asura. - [Previous: c7.260](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.260) - [Next: c7.262](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.262) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.261](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.261) · Pramāṇa