Marriage of Shiva and Parviti under a sacred tree

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Marriage of Shiva and Parviti, taking place beneath a sacred tree in the presence of the four-headed Brahma, who, seated in the foreground, performs a homa, a fire sacrifice. Vishnu and Parviti’s father Himavan stands nearby. Vishnu stands behind Parvati and carries the chakra (discus) and shankha (conch) in his upper hands, with the lower pair in abhaya and varada mudra. Brahma carries in his upper right hand a mala (string of beads) and in his upper left the kamandalu (water vessel), while his lower hands carry the sacrificial ladle and other implements. The green-complexioned Parviti extends her right hand towards Shiva, who clasps it while Himavan pours water over their joined hands, thus sanctifying their union. Shiva’s upper right hand holds the damaru (hourglass shaped drum), and the mriga (gazelle) is in his upper left. His lower left hand is empty.

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Size: 2850px × 3204px
Location: India
Photo credit: © Buyenlarge \ UIG / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1830, art, beads, brahma, chakra, conch, cultures, deities, discus, fine, fire, himavan, hindu, india, mudra, parvati, serpent, siva, tree, unknown, varada, vayu, vessel, vishnu, water, world