Essay name: The Sculptures of Madan-Kamdev (Study)
Author:
Kamal Nayan Patowary
Affiliation: Gauhati University / Department of History
The essay critically studies the Sculptures of Madan-Kamdev: an archaeological site in Baihata Chariali, Kamrup, Assam (India) dating back to the 9th century A.D. The site features elegant sculptures in relief and round forms which are documented in Sanskrit texts like the Kalika Purana and Yogini Tantra.
Chapter 3 - Iconographic-sculptural study
49 (of 86)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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minute details and more appropriately to its present state of
condition, it can better be considered as one of the best conserving
specimen in the site museum.
Present condition and iconographical standard of this
sculpture in brief are as follows
a) Condition:
good, however the architectural stone block on
which the image being carved are now partially
damaged.
b) Length:
44 cm
Width 19 cm
c) Posture:
slightly tribhanga
d) Specific existence: Third eye on the forehead
e) Hands:
four
f) Emblem: i)
ii)
Left upper hand-Elephant goad or Ankusha
Right upper hand-Vajra
iii)
Left lower hand -inverted Hiranya mudra with a
(meditational) ball in the clutch of the two middle
fingers.
g) Pedestal:
iv)
Right lower hand -Varada mudra with a sign of
shakti on the palm.
the god stands on a full blown lotus along with
a sitting elephant in the posture of shouting
as the tusk raised in the direction of sky.
Thus, the iconographical traits have duly confirmed it
as being a deity of Indra, the lord of eastern quarter or the
pioneering deity of ashtadikpalas.
Ascribing to a stereotype delineation, no major
innovation, in terms of ornamentations are there to observe to the
