The Colas c36.87

c36.87

Fig. 71. Kirātamūrti. Bronze. In the Pāśupateśvara temple. Tiruvēṭkalam (modern Annamalainagar), near Cidambaram, South Arcot District. Śiva stands in the *tribhaṅga* pose on *padmāsana* over a large *bhadrāsana*. He has two hands which are shown in position to hold an arrow and bow. A graceful ovoidal *prabhāvalī* encloses the figure. The beauty of the figure is apparent. The fine modelling, the delicate decorative details, the elegant stance and subtle way of suggesting that the figure, is the source of power and energy, are all qualities which are characteristic of figures dating from not later than a.d. 900.