INDIA, BILASPUR SCHOOL, WESTERN PUNJAB HILLS, 1700-1725

Details

The Descent of the Ganges: King Bhagiratha's Prayer
India, Bilaspur School, Western Punjab Hills, 1700-1725
Depicting Shiva and Parvati seated on two lingham-shaped mountains separated by a trident, with Shiva seated on a tiger skin , a black bowl at his feet and Nandi gazing in adoration at the god, the crownless King Bhagiratha at right praying to Shiva, with a stream of water issuing from Shiva's headdress and trickling down the mountain to the feet of the king, a red awning appearing behind the mountains and held by rope stretching to the right
9¾ x 6¼ in. (24.8 x 15.9 cm.) high

Literature

P. Pal, The Flute and the Brush, 1976, no. 14.
S. Kramrisch, Manifestations of Shiva, 1981, p. 210, cat. no. p-42.

Exhibited

Philadelphia, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Manifestations of Shiva, 1981, cat no. p-42; Fort Worth, Kimbell Art Museum, 1981; Seattle, Seattle Art Museum, 1981/82; Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1982.

Lot Essay

This painting illustrates Shiva's decision to allow the heavenly river Ganges to flow to earth. King Bhagiratha has undergone austerities in order to purify the ashes of his ancestors. Shiva listens to the king's prayers and agrees to allow Ganga to flow on earth. Upon unleashing the waters from heaven, Shiva intercepts the river with his head in order to save the earth from the impact of the celestial deluge. Ganga's presence on earth purifies and redeems the ashes of the deceased, thus permitting them to ascend to heaven.

More from Indian and Southeast Asian Art

View All