Kiratharjuneeyam 4 - Kerala Mural Archive

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P018 — Shiva and Arjuna: full panel view

Detail Photos

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P018 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 1 of 4

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P018 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 2 of 4

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P018 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 3 of 4

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P018 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 4 of 4

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

This panel shows Arjuna and Shiva (as Kirata) engaged in a battle. They have bow and arrows in their hands and have pointed it at each other. Parvati is standing behind Shiva in the Kirata form. Shiva as a Kirata has a crown made of peacock feathers. He is wearing a green upper garment and a yellow lower garment with a red and green lower garment. Arjuna is green-skinned and is wearing a red upper garment. There are a set of trees behind them. Both of them wear a crown, rings, armlets, bangles, necklaces and earrings.

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: 4 out of 8

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva and Arjuna
Secondary Figures: Parvathi; Parvathi
Iconographic Form: Kiratharjuneeyam
Iconographic Attributes: A green-skinned Arjuna stands to the right of the panel; He is holding a bow in his right hand and an arrow in his left hand; He is wearing a red upper garment and a red and green banded lower garment; He wears necklaces, bangles, anklets, rings, earrings, and a crown; Shiva as Kirata stands near him; He is yellow-skinned and wearing a green upper garment; yellow lower garment with red and green bands; He has a crown made of peacock feathers; He also has a beard and mustache; There is a bow and arrow in either of his hands; His left hand holds a bow and his right hand holds the arrow; Parvati stands behind them; She is green-skinned; Her hair is raised up in a bun and is decorated with flowers; She wears a lower garment made of leaves; She wears a lot of necklaces; Behind them there are trees drawn in the backdrop against a red backdrop.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Veera

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 18
Adjacent Panels: Kiratharjuneeyam 3, Kiratharjuneeyam 5

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_P018
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.