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Lot Essay
This painting depicts the story of the demon Vrikasura and Shiva. Moving from right to left in the top row, Vrikasura seeks Sage Narada's advice on which god to propitiate for a boon. Narada advises Shiva, and the next frame shows Vrikasura offering pieces of his own flesh into the sacred fire. He then offers his head (following frame), just as Shiva emerges from the fire to answer the demon's penance and restore his head. In the upper left, Vrikasura asks Shiva to grant him the power to kill anyone by placing his hand on their head. Immediately after the boon is granted, Vrikasura reveals his intention to kill Shiva and proceeds to chase him across heaven and earth. In the final scene (lower right), Shiva is asking the other gods for protection just as Vrikasura is about to enter their heavenly abode.