The Colas c36.73

c36.73

Fig. 58. (Pl. xxiv) Śiva as Kāmāntaka, in the same temple. Iconographically rare sculpture. Śiva is seated on *padmapīṭha* in the *sukhāsana* pose. Wears *jaṭāmakuṭa*, *muktā-yajñōpavīta* etc. The emblems in the upper hands are not clear. The lower right hand is in *sūcīhasta*, pointing to a scene occurring below. The left hand is on the lap. The facial expression is terrifying. The modelling and treatment are fine. Around the niche are sculptures in bas-relief. On the left side Manmatha or Kāma with his consort Ratī is flying towards Śiva in the niche. On the corresponding left side is a sculpture showing them standing with hands in *añjali* pose, which indicates their defeat at Śiva's hands. The other figures one of them being Parvatī in penance also relate to the episode. All of them are rendered with vigour and liveliness and are beautiful examples of sculpture in bas-relief, a technique although discontinued long before, was still lingering on, and occasionally, as in these examples, employed very successfully.