Contents: Preface. Photo courtesy. I. Ganesa: 1. Two tiny images of Ganesa. II. Siva: 2. Two Pratihara Mukhalingas. 3. Rangmahal terracotta : appraisal in identification. 4. So-called Brahma couple : new identification. III. Surya: 5. Indian Dvadasaditya in America. 6. Surya and Navagrahas : an unusual combination. 4. Visnu: 7. An unusual and unique figure of Govardhanadhara Krsna. 8. Two newly discovered Visvarupa-Visnu images. V. Sakti-1 (Laksmi): 9. A unique Simharudha Gaja-Laksmi. 10. Gaja-Laksmi with flanking lions. 11. Lion mount of Gaja-Laksmi. 12. Two unique and rare images of Gajavahana Laksmi. 13. Uluka-Laksmi : a unique figure. 14. Pitcher carriers in Gaja-Laksmi figures. VI. Sakti-2 (Other Goddesses): 15. Tapasvini Parvati and Mahisasuramardini : a new find. 16. The combined form of Durga, Laksmi and Sarasvati. 17. A recently discovered Camunda image. 18. Vahana or mount of Gauri. VII. Auspicious divinities in a group: 19. Auspicious divinities in a group. VIII. Miscellaneous: 20. An enigmatic sculpture on a water reservoir. 21. Some sculptures of Fatehpur district, U.P. Select bibliography. Index.
Indian sculpture is well known for its multi-faceted meanings. Although most of the divine sculptures have been found in accordance with their norms contained in textual literature or their stories and episodes available in religious myths, yet, in some cases we encounter with some uncommon or unusual features in a figure, which are neither supported by the canonical injunctions nor by any mythological narrations, and thus they pose difficulty in identifying the figure. Such unique or unusual figures are often supposed to be the result of the fancy of the artist. But it is not correct. Their unusual creation is certainly based on some Puranic references, which we ought to search out for proper and correct identification.
The present work brings out some unique and unusual examples of Indian iconography. To name a few unique ones--a Gaja-Laksmi seated directly on the back of a lion, another flanked by a standing lion on either side near her feet, an owl being anointed by elephants and a seated Laksmi with one seated elephant on her both sides. No second example of any such figure in any art medium has come to our notice so far. Some unusual compositions have also been included like Surya, a Goddess representing combined aspects and an enigmatic male figure on a large stone water reservoir in this title.
Indian Iconography : Musing in Some Unique and Unusual Sculptures is a work of original and thought provoking research on some unique, unusual and enigmatic divine sculptures. (jacket)
