The Colas c36.92

c36.92

Fig. 76. Subrahmaṇya as Dēvasēnāpati. Bronze. Tiruviḍaikali, Tanjore District. He stands in the *tribhaṅga* pose on *padmāsana* over *bhadrāsana*. A beautiful *prabhāvalī* encircles him. The ends of *prabhā* show the beginning of the *makara* motif which develops into a significant decoration for the *prabhā* of the Naṭarāja image in the Tanjore temple (fig. 63) noticed above. Of the four hands the two front ones are in position to hold a bow and arrow which suggests his being Dēvasēnapati. His characteristic emblems *śakti* and *vajra* are held respectively in the upper right and left hands. His *karaṇḍamakuṭa*, *channavīra* and other ornaments are simple and beautiful. It is a fine example of the art at its best during the Cōḷa times. Its style has definite affinity with that of the Kirātamūrti image from Tiruvetkaḷam (fig. 71) noticed above, although the latter is earlier.