Kiratharjuneeyam 3 - Kerala Mural Archive

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P017 — Shiva and Arjuna: full panel view

Detail Photos

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P017 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 1 of 5

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P017 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 2 of 5

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P017 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 3 of 5

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P017 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 4 of 5

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P017 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 5 of 5

Deity: Arjuna Deity: Shiva Location: Chemmanthatta Mahadeva Temple Theme: Mahabharata

This panel shows Arjuna and Shiva about to engage in a battle. Both are about to load their bows. Arjuna stands to the left of the panel and Shiva to the right, Shiva as Kirata to the right. There is Parvati behind Shiva. Both have bows in their hand and arrows as well. There are two other figures in the panel, both Kirata forms with peacock feathers on their crowns. They are looking at the scene.

Narrative

Textual Source: Mahabharata
Mythological Tale: As the Pandavas lost the game of dice and was asked to dwell in the forest, Arjuna performed penance to please Lord Shiva. In order to test his devotion and get rid of his arrogance of being the best archer in the world, Shiva took the form of Kirata or forest-dweller and Parvati accompanied him. Shiva then started an argument with Arjuna over who shot the wild boar. An enraged Asura challenged Shiva to a battle of archery, which later progressed into fist fight. Even after several attempts, Arjuna could not defeat the Kirata Shiva. So he started to pray to Shiva by building a small Shivalingam. However, all the offerings placed at the feet of the Shivalingam would fall to the feet of the Kirata Shiva. In the end, Arjuna realized that it was indeed Shiva in the guise of Kirata trying to test him. As soon as he comes to this realization, Shiva and Parvati transform to their original form and granted him the Pashupatastra (arrow) weapon.
Episode: Kiratharjuneeyam
Position within Narrative Sequence: 3 out of 8

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva and Arjuna
Secondary Figures: Parvathi; Parvathi and two tribal men.
Iconographic Form: Kiratharjuneeyam
Iconographic Attributes: A green-skinned Arjuna stands on the left, holding a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right; Arjuna is wearing bangles, crown, necklaces, rings, earrings; He is also wearing a red upper garment and a red with green striped lower garment; Shiva as Kirata stands next to Arjuna; He is wearing a green upper jacket and a green and red lower garments; He has a beard and mustache; His hair is swept up into a bun and is decorated with peacock feathers; He is wearing jewelry resembling that of a forest dweller; He has armlets, bangles, necklaces, and a crown; Next to him stands Parvati; She is green-skinned, has an earring, crown, and her hair is raised up in a bun, decorated with flowers; There are two other figures behind her; a red-skinned figure with a crown made of peacock feathers; and a green-skinned figure wearing a crown; Behind them there are several trees.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Veera

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 17
Adjacent Panels: Kiratharjuneeyam 2, Kiratharjuneeyam 4

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Poor
Deterioration Type: Plaster loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Combined permission
Date of Documentation: 05/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: CMT_P017
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.