Tripurantaka, Vinadhara Dakshina Murti or Kirata Murti?
Dr.R.Nagaswamy
Siva as the destroyer of three cities is represented
frequently in bronze next only to Somaskanda, Nataraja, and Candrasekhara
images. This is particularly so in Chola times with the result a large number
of Tripurantaka bronzes exist in worship and some have found their way to
museums.
TEXTUAL TRADITION
Tripurantaka images are called
Tripura-samhara-murti, Tripura-sundara, Tripura-vijaya, Purari and by other
names. The images may, according to texts, have 2,4,8,or 10 arms. Some texts
list eight types of Tripurantaka images, the differences between them being
mainly in the postures of legs and arms. One may have the right leg planted
firmly and the left slightly bent or vice versa. Some may have a dwarf beneath
the leg while others may simply be standing on the pedestal. The main arms being
in the pose of holding the bow and arrow, their positions are detailed in the
texts. Especially the front left arm holding the bow could be above the
shoulder, or in level with the arm-pit, or in level with the chest. When the
images have four arms the rear right will hold axe and the left deer. When the
bow wielding arm is above the shoulder, the rear arm with the deer is brought
down to achieve balance. There are some features repeatedly mentioned in most
of the texts. Siva as Tripurantaka should always be accompanied by his consort
Gauri Uma. Of the legs only the left should be placed on the dwarf. These have
symbolic as well as deep theological meanings. ( Gopinatha Rao.T.A, Elements of
Hindu Iconography .) We may examine the known Tripurantaka bronzes against
these textual prescriptions.
TRIPURA VIJAYA
Tripura
Vijaya Deva Koneri Rajapuram Tanjore Dist. Sembiyan Mahadevi Concecration. 990
C.E
It is better to call this form in
bronze as Tripura-Sundara or more appropriately as Tripura-vijaya as called by
the Chola Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi in her inscriptions, rather than Tripurantaka
for reasons to be discussed in the sequence. Tripura-vijaya images in bronze
are noticed either with two or four arms. No image with more than four arms has
been noticed so far. The leg positions do vary but the dwarf when present is
found only beneath the left leg and not beneath the right. In temples where
they are still preserved as at Konerirajapuram or Kodumudi, Tripura-vijaya is
found with his consort. All Tripura-vijaya bronzes should have the accompanying
consort , and where not found they should be taken as present originally, but
now lost.
Siva destroyed the three cities
with terrific rage, often called attahasa in literature. His images
should depict fury on the face. The furious emotion expressed in the face is
called Raudra drishti in Natya Sastra of Bharata. In depicting this
pitiless sentiment, the eye balls should be lifted up, rough, and reddish in
line. The eyebrows should be kept crooked. (The Natya sastra of Bharata muni,
English translation, by a Board of Editors, Delhi. 1981,p 119). The finest
portrayal of Siva as Tripurantaka in painting comes from the Great temple of
Tanjore where the God is shown in great fury with eyebrows raised, the eyes
wide open and the pupils shown as rounded balls. The face, in this panel
conform to Natya sastra. None of the bronzes so far noticed portray this anger.
Clearly the bronzes do not represent the moment of anger but sublime compassion
karuna as in the well-known examples of Sarabai collection, the Tanjore
art gallery collection and so on. (Ill ). We have to take into account bronzes
which do not have re-cuttings on the face to determine the original intention
of the makers. Since bronze images are processional deities, brought out in
procession to bestow grace, the moment selected for portrayal is the stage immediately
after destruction of the Tripuras, when Siva bestowed boons even on the three
vanquished Asuras. So it is the Tripura-vijaya aspect, appropriately called so
by Sembiyan-mahadevi, that is depicted in bronzes (Ref. Agamic position..)
Each divine sport is a continuous
occurrence of several events. The imagery depicted in the art form is a
particular moment chosen by the maker to yield the desired benediction that the
art historian must remember while identifying an image. Tripura-vijaya is the
best example to illustrate this point. I would prefer to call them as Tripura
vijaya and rather than Tripurantaka where the emphasis is on the destructive
side.
The earliest Tripuara-vijaya in
bronze, so far noticed, is under worship in the temple of Kulappadu in Tanjore
district and is assignable to the first half of the 8th cent. It is
a four-armed image with its left leg on the head of a dwarf. Unfortunately its
eyelines have been recut. This Pallava bronze carries in both its rear arms
arrows in addition to its front right, a feature not mentioned in texts. The
other Pallava bronze of superlative workmanship is the Sarabai collection. The
Thiruneipper image (ref. ) is perhaps the tallest and datable to 875 AD. The
depiction of Tripura vijaya is thus rooted in Pallava times illustrated by
these examples.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF
TRIPURA-VIJAYA
The Cholas were great devotees of
the Tripura-vijaya form. Most of the great pieces of this form were made in the
Chola period from 10th to 13th cent. The one set up by
Sembiyan mahadevi at Konerirajapuram is undoubtedly the most delightful figure.
There are many bronzes of the Chola period in temples, museums and private
collections now. A point of great interest is that making Tripura-vijaya images
in bronze seems to have diminished after 14th cent, for there are
not many images of the later age. This is probably due to enormous popularity
gained by the Nataraja icons. The concept of Tripura-samhara merged with the
concept of Nataraja as will be explained in the sequence.
All the temples of Siva should
conduct the great annual festivals called Brahmotsava for a number of
days generally lasting for nine days. 1 One or more manifestations of Siva are
taken out in procession. The Aghora-sivacharya-paddhati, an influential text
states that the image of Tripurantaka should be taken in procession on the
sixth day of the annual festival. (For variations see) All the annual festivals
include the car festival, ratha yatra. The texts do give us detailed
description, invocation and worship of the car. The temple car is a
representaion of the Chariot made for the destruction of the Tripurasuras
mentioned in all agamas and puranas. The deity installed in the chariot is
Nataraja and this in a sense depicts the victory dance of Siva. The car
festival should be performed on the 7th day, the day of Nataraja.
The dance of Siva and the
Tripura-dahana as parts of the same events are extolled from very early times
in the Tamil country. The sangam works as Purananuru and Kalittokai
refer to these forms. The Silappadhikaram speaks in enchanting poetry
the dance of Siva, when he destroyed the three cities. The Dance is called Kodukotti
and Siva performed the dance on the seat of his chariot. Even Parvati called
Bharati danced with Siva on this occasion and the same is called Pandaranga.
The popularity of the destruction of the three cities goes back to the
beginning of the Christian era in Tamilnad. There is a delightful stone
sculpture of Siva holding the bow and dancing vigorously in the famous
Kodumbalur muvarkoil built in the end of 9th cent. The fusion of the
concept of dance of Siva and destruction of Tripuras and the overwhelming
popularity of Nataraja by the close of 13th cent perhaps may be the
reason for the decline in the production of Tripura Vijaya images in bronze
during the succeeding centuries.
PROBLEMS OF IDENTIFICATION
Though adequate textual materials
are available for identifying Tripurantaka bronzes there do exist problems in
their identification.
Where there exists fairly closely
datable inscription mentioning the Tripura-vijaya image and there exists in the
temple a bronze image of that age, there will be little doubt about its
identification, as in the case of Konerirajapuram. Temple traditions are also
of great help in identification. Generally where Siva appears with the bow and
arrow, accompanied by his consort there is no difficulty in identification. The
main point is the gesture of the front left arm in the pose of holding a bow ( simha-karna
pose) that provides the clue for identification. Even when an image is
accompanied by his consort one might falter as in the case of the Cleveland
Museum group identified as Chandrasekhara by Kramrisch. This oustanding scholar
herself felt uncomfortable with the leg position. I have no hesitation in
identifying it with Tripurantaka and Tripurasundari(Fig 100 Manifestation of
Siva by Stella Kramrisch) The Cleveland group is perhaps the finest
Tripurantaka outside India.
TRIPURANTAKA OR VINADHARA?
Bronzes of Tripurantaka are likely
to be mistaken for Vinadhara Dakshinamurti or the other-way about and that is
the case with reference to several bronzes can be demonstrated. The main point
is the hand gesture of the front left arm. Tripurantaka holds a bow in this
hand. The folded fingers would suggest the bow held vertically and this gesture
is called Dhanur-musthi (bow wielding). In the case of Vinadhara the
left arm will hold the Veena instrument across the chest to play the strings.
The hand gesture in this case would be at 45% slanting or tending to be
horizontal and technically called kataka-mudra. If such gestures are
clearly discernible the identification can be easily made but where it is in
between any one identification can be challenged. ( pl. see illustrations for
confused identity)
TRIPURANTAKA OR
KIRATA?
Similar confusion is likely to
arise in the case Kirata and Tripurantaka bronzes. In both the representations
áiva would be holding a bow in the left arm. The hand gesture which will be
identical in both will not help in identification. However in many Chola
sculptures and also Bronzes (Melapperumpallam image) Kirata will be shown like
a hunter with round bellied body , beard and cannavira. His hair would
be tied as a bun-like knot and not the jata-makuta one sees in the
Tripurari form (For exceptions see illustrations and notes.) The best
illustration of such a confused identity is the famous Thiruvetkalam (near
Chidambaram) image identified as Kirata.(See ill and foot notes for my
identification of the image with Tripurantaka). While the experienced can see
the difference in most cases, the debate will continue in some.
THE LEGEND
Having examined the actual
representations in bronze we may now examine the legend of Tripurˇntaka. Stella
Kramrisch has already drawn our attention to the Vedic sacrifice Upasad
and its development into the story of Tripurˇntaka. The Tripurˇntaka concept
and its associate ideas are deeply routed in Vedic period. The epics and
purˇ¸as enlarge the story. I would like to stress the point that in the legend
of Tripurˇntaka the destruction of the three cities and the asuras is not the
main aim but a totally a different aspect. The Linga-purana gives a vivid
account which is not only early but also is the essence of the legend.
There are several segments in the
legend of Tripurantaka Siva. The Asuras of Tripura were originally worshipers
of Linga but were so arrogant they were causing havoc in the worlds. The Devas
performed a Vedic sacrifice called Upasad which gave them a very
powerful weapon but the Devas were unable to use it and so they approached
Rudra to discharge the weapon. Rudra asked them to become Pasus and accept him
as their leader Pasupati. The Devas were worried. Siva told them that by
becoming Pasus and worshipping Pasupati they will transcend Pasutva i.e. their
limitations -bondage and reach the end of their suffering. The Devas willingly
accepted Pasupati as their leader and gave him the legal power to punish the
asuras. The Devas worshipped Pasupati in the form of a Linga by observing
Pasupata vrata. They now requested Siva to destroy the Asuras
At this stage the Linga-purana
introduces an apparently unconnected episode. Even as the Devas were requesting
Siva, Parvati called Siva and said "Lord Look at our beloved child
Subramanya dancing." Both Siva and Parvati with parental affection looked
at the dance of Skanda and were delighted. That is the Soma-skanda form.
The Devas repeated their prayer
and Siva now asked them to prepare for the fight. The Devas with the help of
Visvakarma constructed the chariot, made weapons and accompanied him as the ganas
i.e retinue. Lord Brahma addressed Siva and said "Lord you are Omniscient
and Omnipotent and you do not require all these chariot, weapons, and the
retinue to destroy the Asuras? The Asuras will disappear the moment you
"will", but if you are still resorting to these acts it is purely out
of your sport". Siva laughed and at the same moment the Asuras were burnt
to ashes. In order to please the Devas Siva discharged the arrow. That is the
story of Tripurantaka.
But that is the not the end of the
story. In fact it is only an example . Brahma himself at the end narrates to
the other devas. "The Asuras forsook the worship of Linga and were
punished. Vishnu, myself and all of you, observed the Pasupata vrata and
worshipped the Linga and so we were releiveded of the sufferings. All living
beings should observe Pasupata vrata, worship the Linga and obtain
release." The main aim of the Tripurantaka episode is to teach the
greatness of Pasupata system and worship of Siva as a Linga. All the
Puranas are specific about this point.
PASUPATA SYSTEM
How should one worship a Linga
murti? Brahma himself narrates it at the end. "The Pasupata vrata
means one should simply purify ones mind and actions and other mental
activities (Discipline the karmendriya, jnanendriya, manas, buddhi, ahamkara,
and chitta and become pure in all his actions and thoughts. He smear his
body with sacred ash. Now one is ready to unite with Pasupati. These
observances called the "Pasupata vrata" lead to union with the
Supreme now called Pasupata-yoga. achieved through both internal and
external (bahya and abhyantara) worship of Linga). This pasupata
yoga leads to Pasupata Jnana. Brahma says one who establishes a Linga with
Somaskanda made of stone, metal ,wood or precious gems and worship him, will
reach the very Rudra loka. The ultimate message of Tripurantaka legend
is to worship Siva through a Linga and become Siva, meaning achieve unfettered,
unbounded knowledge. "The myth of Siva is the myth of God as
consciousness" says Stella Kramrisch (Manifestations of Siva p xxiii)
The presence of Somaskanda at the
back wall of the sanctum garbha-graha in Pallava temples with Vishnu and
Brahma adoring áiva with the Linga in front is the echo of this Pasupata system
of the Linga purana. That is the reason why the bronze images of
Tripura-vijaya (Tripurantaka) are portrayed with sublime expression of karuna
rather than the furious bhava. When one attends the festival of
Tripurantaka coming in procession he perceives Siva at two levels. The first is
the physical level(bahya) the beautiful image holding a bow and arrow
exhibiting compassion majestically wading through the sea of devotees, bringing
with him the second level of perception the underlying metaphysical import in
which the devotee goes beyond the form and remains in áiva-consciousness. For
the devotee it is not the metal image but the very embodiment of Pasupata
jnana that is coming towards him.
________
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Balasubramaniam.S.R.(1979), Later Chola Temples, Madras, Pp 118.125, Pl.99.111
Balasubramaniam.S.R, (1971), Early Chola temples, Delhi
Mevissen. Gerd JR (1997) , The Stone chariot at Darasuram and the myth of Siva Tripuranataka, in Studies in South history and culture- V.R.Ramachandra Dikshitar Centenary volume, Chennai, P290
Gopinatha Rao.T.A,(1985) Elements of Hindu Iconography, Vol II Pt.I & II, Reprint, Delhi
Nagaswamy.R.,(1980) Art and Culture of Tamil nadu, Delhi, pp 96.98 Pl 41
Nagaswamy.R, () South Indian Bronzes, in the "Indian Bronze Masterpieces" New Delhi F.18 & F.21
Nagaswamy.R, (1961), Rare Bronzes from Kongu country, in ‘Lalit Kala’ F.1
Nagaswamy,R (1980)Tamil Paintings in ‘Splendours of Tamil nad’ Marg publications
Pal Pratapaditya, (1978)The Sensuous Immortals, Los Angeles
Ajitagama,(1964), Ed. Bhat.N.R, Institut Francais Indology, Pondichery
Raurava agama((1961)
Ajita III
Sivaramamurti.C, (1963), South Indian Bronzes, New Delhi, Pl. 8,29,31,32,33,34,38&89
Vidya Dehejia, (1990)Art of the Imperial Cholas , New York, Pl 15a
Bhandarkar.R.G,(1983) Vaishnavaism , Saivism and minor religious system, new Delhi Reprint
Ramachandran.T.N, The Kiratarjuniyam or Arjuna’s penance in Indian Art in ‘Indian Society of Oriental Art, Vol XVIII (1950-51)P Vii & IX
Natya sastra of Bharata Muni (1981) Translated into English by Board of Scholars Delhi, P
Mahabharata, Ed T.R. Krishnamacharya and T.R.Kvyasacharya, (1909) Nirnaya sagar Press, Bombay
Stella kramrisch, (1981) Manifestaions of Shiva, Philadelphia Musem of Art.
Stella Kramrisch,(1981) The presence of Siva, Princeton university
James C Harle,(1963), Temple gateways in South India, Oxford
Mayamata,(1976) Ed Bruno Dagens, Institut Francais Indology, Pondichery
Foot notes
1. Karl J. Kandalawala published an excellent image of Tripurantaka in the collection of Farooq Wadia of Poona and appropriately compared it with Thiruvetkalam Kiratamurti. He has suggessted that the Image was a discarded one as its pedestal is damaged. First there is no damage to the pedestal but the image with its base plate has come off from its pedestal. The image is preserved intact as it was cast. In bronze casting the image would be cast seperately with the base-plate and the pedestal cast separate. The image then would be fitted on to the pedestal through the Ratna-nyasa rite. In this instance the image got separated from its pedestal. Damages to pedestal do not call for discarding the image. There are specific rules for discarding a damaged image, treated under a separate chapter in the agamas. . If the pedestal of an image is damaged, it could be replaced, for it is considered a very minor damage. Except in the case of mahangas like face and main torso, if damage occurs to other parts the pedestal could be repaired. There are hundreds of bronze images in temples whose pedestals have been replaced. So the suggestion that it was a discarded image is not correct.
In the Nataraja temple of Chidambaram Tripurantaka images are shown on all the four gopuras standing on chariot drawn by horses and at the same time accompanied by Parvati.(Harle p.102) The identification is beyond doubt. However exactly similar sculptures, holding bow and arrow with out Parvathi are found in another series of niches in the same gopuras. Krishna sastri has quite correctly identified them with Kirata murti siva. In one of them Arjuna is seen standing behind Kirata. Here is the problem of identification and its solution. But the bronzes will continue to pose problems as their pedestal will not depict chariot in the case of Tripurantaka. Secondly the Parvati image will often be shown on a separate pedestal. They are well preserved and worshipped together in some temples. But when seen in out of context as in a museum, either identification can always be challenged..
In the Muvarkoil at Kodumbalur two interesting representation are noticed. One is still situ in one of the upper niches of the tower. Siva is holding the bow and dancing in an elegant posture, called Kodukotti. This dance was performed immediately after the destruction of the Tripurasuras. Here is the direct connection between Tripurantaka and Nritta-murti represented in art form. The other sculpture also from Kodumbalur represents Tripurantaka áiva standing with four arms now preserved in the. Government Museum, Madras. The image is also accompanied by Tripurasundari. The arm of Siva wielding the bow is at the waist height while the corresponding right hand is in teaching pose instead of holding an arrow. (Balasubramaniam.S.R. Early Chola temples.P.101-2). This is obviously the teaching of Pasupata-yoga by Siva mentioned in Linga-purana. Interestingly the temple was built by Bhuti Vikrama Kesari, under the inspiration of his guru, a Kala-mukha ascetic. The Kala-mukhas were also called Adita-vaktras i.e. Black faced. The Kalamukhas followed the Vaidika Pasupata system.
Procession of Tripurantaka images are prescribed under two headings in agamic texts.One list gives the names of metal images to be taken out in Procession. For example the Suprabheda-agama gives the following list:-
|
1. Sukhasana |
2. Siva seated
with Uma |
3.
Vrshabharudha |
|
4. Tripurantaka
|
5. Nritta-murti |
6.
Chandra-sekhara |
|
7. Ardha-nari |
8. Harihara |
9. Bhikshadana |
|
10. Kalari |
11. Kamantaka |
12.
Linga-purana |
The Ajitagama gives a variant
list:
|
1 Soma-dhari |
2 Ardha-nari |
3 Vrshabharudha |
|
4 Samvada |
5 Gaja-samhˇra |
6 Sambhavam |
|
7
Kalya¸a-sundara |
8 Tripurˇntaka |
9 Kˇlˇri |
The Suksm-agama repeats the same list and perhaps borrows the same verses.
It may be seen from the above Tripurantaka bronzes are listed in all agamas but none
includes Vinadhara.
Similarly all the agamas give the nature of different festivals as Bhiksha-yatra, Mrga-yatra, Ratha-yatra, Tirta-yatrea, and Kalyana-mahotsavas. The festival of Mrga yatra is the hunting expedition mentioned in all the agamas. The festival of ceremonial bathing T˘rtha-yatra should be conducted the next day of the Mrga-yatra (according to all agamas). Though it is a mock expedition animals, birds, or even human beings might get killed in this festival and hence the bathing festival following it, is almost a purificatory festival. (Karan-agama, Raurav-agama, Ajita, Kamika etc give these festivals.). Bronze image of Kirata should get the first preference for this festival; alternately Tripurantaka bronze could be used. According to Mrgendra-agama either Sukhasana Siva or other deities could be utilised for the hunting or else Tripurantaka bronze could be used. Ajit-agama prefers Tripurantaka . If other bronzes are not available suited to the day, Soma-skanda bronze could be used for all the festival.
Devanam alabhe somaskandesvaram
nayet
In all these texts we again notice Tripurantaka invariably mentioned but none mentions Vinadhara in any context. As a ritual icon Tripurantaka is a must, where as Vinadhara is not required and is made in exceptional cases only. Considering the ritual importance of Tripurantaka most of the bronzes that have now survived are likely to be Tripuranatakas than Vin9hadhara. One has to keep in mind the ritual importance of a bronze in identifying the images.
Further I consider the bronze of Kirata-murti as the most appropriate for the Hunting festival in the nature of things
The Bronze taken out for hunting should have a terrific countenance (ghora rupa) as per Rauravagama. But since the same text mentions the use of Somaskanda for the same festival as an alternate bronze it is clear that it was the for benediction ultimately. Both have the Pasupata message inherent in them.
There are several religious observances mentioned in Linga-Purana. One such observance is called Uma-mahesvara Vrata in which the devotee makes an metal image of Uma-mahesvara and worship him on ashtami or caturdasi, or amavasya or paurnami (8th,14th, , Fullmoon, or New moon days) in the month of purattasi every year. This should be observed for twelve years and on the final year take the image in procession to the Siva temple and consecrates it he will attain great religious merit. He should observe religious discipline on these days, observe fast during day time and eat only once in the night and so on. These observances are called the vratas. The point of interest in this vrata is the metal image of Uma-mahesvara made and consecrated in the temple.
There is another observance called Maha-meru vrata to be observed in the month of Aippasi. annually. An image of Siva with Parvati, Subramanya, Bramha, Vishnu and others should be made, preferably in gold and shown seated on a mountain representing Meru, This group should be worshipped for twelve years and then consecrated in the local áiva temple . The observer will obtain all religious merits known to man. This is perhaps the best of the Vrata prescribed. This account in the Linga-purana shows images were made in metal as a part of individual observance of Vrata and consecrated in the temple. After a few years of personal worship these images become parts of Temples
Tripurantaka image should be made with Uma and worshipped if one desires the destruction of enemies.(vairi nasanaya)Mayamata Pt 2 critical edition and translation Bruno Dagens, Institute Francais Indology, Pondichery 1976 26.66-67
Tyaktva devam mahadevam mayaya ca hareh prabhoh
Sarve vinash¶ah pradhvastah svapuraih purasambhavaih
Tasmat sada pujan˘yas lingamurti sadasivah L.P 73