Dakshayagam (Panel 3) - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Thalore, THL_P024 — Shiva: detail view 1 of 9

Thalore, THL_P024 — Shiva: detail view 2 of 9

Thalore, THL_P024 — Shiva: detail view 3 of 9

Thalore, THL_P024 — Shiva: detail view 4 of 9

Thalore, THL_P024 — Shiva: detail view 5 of 9

Thalore, THL_P024 — Shiva: detail view 6 of 9

Thalore, THL_P024 — Shiva: detail view 7 of 9

Thalore, THL_P024 — Shiva: detail view 8 of 9

Thalore, THL_P024 — Shiva: detail view 9 of 9

Living Tradition · The Present Day

Deity: Shiva Location: Thalore Mahadeva Temple Theme: Shiva Purana

Daksha newly brought back to life, but with a goat's head resumes the yaga (sacrifice). His wife stands next to him. The sages give offerings to the sacred fire. The supreme trio: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva preside over the yajna with abhaya-varada mudras.

Narrative

Textual Source: Shiva Purana
Mythological Tale: Daksha being the father-in-law of Shiva once held a sacrifice or yaga at this palace. Out of arrogance, he refused to invite Shiva. Sati, his daughter and Shiva’s wife went in Shiva's place, but was humiliated by her father. In her anger, she jumped into the sacrificial fire and disrupted the yaga. When Shiva came to know of this, he was furious and in his anger, created Kali and Veerabhadra, who disrupted the yaga and cut off Daksha’s head and presented it before Shiva. They continued wreaking havoc in the world, which caused Vishnu and the Devas to plead with Shiva to end this destruction. Shiva being compassionate, recalled Veerabhadra and Kali. He was also requested to allow them to bring Daksha back to life, to which he agreed. However, despite fervently searching for Daksha’s severed head, they could not find it. So Brahma placed a goat’s head in place and brought Daksha back to life. He was then allowed to resume his yaga with the blessings of all three: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This entire episode is often referred to as ‘Dakshayaga’ or the “sacrifice of Daksha”.
Episode: Daksha Yaga
Position within Narrative Sequence: Panel 3 of 3

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva
Secondary Figures: Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu; sages
Iconographic Form: Dakshayagam
Iconographic Attributes: Daksha has his characteristic goat’s head over his human body. Brahma has his three heads, japamala and Vedas. Vishnu is blue-skinned with conch shell sankhu and chakra, Shiva is white-skinned with matted locks, third eye, crescent moon and Ganga on his locks and holding deer and axe.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Temple: Sanctum
Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 22
Adjacent Panels: Dakshayagam (Panel 2)

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Good
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple authorities
Date of Documentation: 22/08/2024
Artist: Senthil
Identifier: THL_P022
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.