South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c9.s13.7

c9.s13.7

Here Siva is seated in the sukhāsana or the comfortable posture on a raised pedestal, as in the case of Sōmāskanda figures, his left leg hanging down and resting on a foot-stool. The goddess Pārvatī too is seated to the left of Siva on the same pedestal, her right leg being bent at the knee and placed on the pedestal while the left is hanging down to rest on another foot-stool. Siva has four arms. In his two back hands he holds the axe and the deer and with the two front arms he is seen decorating with a flower garland the locks of his servant, the devoted Chandēsa. The latter sits on the ground at the foot of Siva, with bending knees and folded arms, and receives the divine favour with gratitude. The images are well ornamented. Above the group are seen flying gods and demi-gods who have evidently gathered round to see the kindness of Siva shown towards his devotee. According to the Mayamata Chandēsa has behind his folded arms the weapon parasu (axe). On the east gōpura of the Chidambaram temple is a figure of Chandēsānugrahamūrti in which Chandēsa is represented with the axe between his folded arms.