Hindu deity statue for comments

bhushan_lawate · 10th April 2018, 09:52 AM

Definitely not from the current state of India. looks like more from south east asia or Nepal.

Also, looks like a mix from different streams of iconography. while the upper two arms carry the distinct symbols of Vishnu (Chakra and Conch) the lower two arms seem to carry a trident and a sword (Khanda) which is a symbol of the Shiva pantheon of deities.

Thanks,
Bhushan

francantolin · 10th April 2018, 12:05 PM

Hello and Thank you Bushan !

I found this morning some informations about ''harihara''

deity half Shiva half Vishnu,

usually left side corresponding to one god, right side for the second,

but here it's up and down ...

Kind regards

bhushan_lawate · 11th April 2018, 03:56 AM

You are right. we may want to call it a Harihara - but cannot as the depiction of the weapons as well as the form of the idol in general does not conform with the norms of the Harihara.

on a side note the weapon in the lower arm also potentially looks like a Vajra - in that sense we might have to explore the pantheon of the Buddhist iconography of far east...!!! but this is just a speculation and I've no knowledge of the icons in Buddhist religion.

My guess is this is a mix created by some innovative mind

Thanks,
Bhushan

francantolin · 11th April 2018, 01:10 PM

Still thank you Bhushan for your precious comments !

I found a ( little

) similar khmer Angkor bronze statue of Vishnu

Sure mine can't be so old
But is it a really recent production ???

Any advice ?

Thank you

bhushan_lawate · 13th April 2018, 12:58 PM

My Apologies friend...!! this style of icons is not my area of specialization and so i cannot offer an opinion.

let us hope someone more knowledgeable than us is able to cast light on this and we all learn in the process...!!!

Thanks,
Bhushan

Treeslicer · 17th April 2018, 05:25 PM

IMHO, the statue looks Thai, 1700's or later. While I'm not up on the mythology involved, I do know that murti with mingled attributes like this are attested archaeologically going back to Khmer times in SE Asia, and that while Theravada Buddhism is the popular religion across the area (north of Malaysia, of course), Hinduism has been entwined into royal practices there down to the present day. The Thai monarchy still keeps some Hindu priests for certain ceremonies.

I also would not be surprised if this portrayal had some esoteric tantric significance.

francantolin · 18th April 2018, 07:21 PM

Thank you Treeslicer and Bhushan,

really interesting informations about hinduism in Thailand and tantric role,
hope is not too much charged with energies...

Kind regards

11th April 2018, 01:10 PM	#4
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 829	Still thank you Bhushan for your precious comments ! I found a ( little ) similar khmer Angkor bronze statue of Vishnu Sure mine can't be so old But is it a really recent production ??? Any advice ? Thank you Attached Images

17th April 2018, 05:25 PM	#6
Treeslicer Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 65	IMHO, the statue looks Thai, 1700's or later. While I'm not up on the mythology involved, I do know that murti with mingled attributes like this are attested archaeologically going back to Khmer times in SE Asia, and that while Theravada Buddhism is the popular religion across the area (north of Malaysia, of course), Hinduism has been entwined into royal practices there down to the present day. The Thai monarchy still keeps some Hindu priests for certain ceremonies. I also would not be surprised if this portrayal had some esoteric tantric significance. Last edited by Treeslicer; 17th April 2018 at 05:45 PM.

10th April 2018, 09:52 AM	#1
bhushan_lawate Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: India Posts: 77	Definitely not from the current state of India. looks like more from south east asia or Nepal. Also, looks like a mix from different streams of iconography. while the upper two arms carry the distinct symbols of Vishnu (Chakra and Conch) the lower two arms seem to carry a trident and a sword (Khanda) which is a symbol of the Shiva pantheon of deities. Thanks, Bhushan

10th April 2018, 12:05 PM	#2
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 829	Hello and Thank you Bushan ! I found this morning some informations about ''harihara'' deity half Shiva half Vishnu, usually left side corresponding to one god, right side for the second, but here it's up and down ... Kind regards

11th April 2018, 03:56 AM	#3
bhushan_lawate Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: India Posts: 77	You are right. we may want to call it a Harihara - but cannot as the depiction of the weapons as well as the form of the idol in general does not conform with the norms of the Harihara. on a side note the weapon in the lower arm also potentially looks like a Vajra - in that sense we might have to explore the pantheon of the Buddhist iconography of far east...!!! but this is just a speculation and I've no knowledge of the icons in Buddhist religion. My guess is this is a mix created by some innovative mind Thanks, Bhushan

13th April 2018, 12:58 PM	#5
bhushan_lawate Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: India Posts: 77	My Apologies friend...!! this style of icons is not my area of specialization and so i cannot offer an opinion. let us hope someone more knowledgeable than us is able to cast light on this and we all learn in the process...!!! Thanks, Bhushan

18th April 2018, 07:21 PM	#7
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 829	Thank you Treeslicer and Bhushan, really interesting informations about hinduism in Thailand and tantric role, hope is not too much charged with energies... Kind regards