NORTH INDIA, PUNJAB HILLS, POSSIBLY MANDI, CIRCA 1750-1780

This is a rare illustration of Shiva as the destroyer of Tripura, the three citadels of the demons. The Tripura were aerial cities which had been presented as blessings from Brahma to three demon brothers after severe penance. They would exist as separate cities for a thousand years and could only be destroyed after they merged at the end of this period. The demons used this time to wreak havoc on gods in the heavens and on earth until the gods finally approached Shiva and begged for his help. The Earth became Shiva’s chariot and Brahma, his charioteer. The sun and moon became his chariot wheels. His bow was formed from Mount Meru, the sacred mountain, and Vasuki, Shiva’s serpent became his bow string. Vishnu became the cosmic arrow which would destroy the demon form of the three cities in a single shot.
Raja Sidh Sen of Mandi (r.1684-1727) was a great patron of the arts and sponsored an active artistic life which led to the production of numerous paintings. He was a keen Shaivite and images of Shiva flourished in Mandi during and after his reign. The flat, monochromatic, green background and the relatively cursory depiction of the figures in this illustration is comparable with other mid-eighteenth century paintings from Mandi.
The reverse with Devanagari numerals 48 and bearing Mandi royal collection stamp and inventory number.