Kiratharjuneeyam 6 - Kerala Mural Archive

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P020 — Shiva and Arjuna: full panel view

Detail Photos

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P020 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 1 of 3

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P020 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 2 of 3

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P020 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 3 of 3

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

The battle between Shiva and Arjuna continues here in this panel. Abandoning their weapons, they have started engaging in a fistfight. A green-skinned Arjuna with clenched fists. Shiva as Kirata stands opposite to him. He is wearing a green-colored upper garment and a green-colored lower garment. His hands are also clenched in fists. His crown is made of peacock feathers. There is Parvati standing right behind him. She is green-skinned, wears a necklace and a lower garment made of leaves. There is a forest scene depicted behind them.

Narrative

Textual Source: Local tradition
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: 6 out of 8

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva and Arjuna
Secondary Figures: Parvathi; Parvathi
Iconographic Form: Kiratharjuneeyam
Iconographic Attributes: Green-colored Arjuna to the right of the panel, is holding his hands in fists and looking at Shiva; He is wearing a red-colored jacket and a red-colored dhoti, with green bands;He is wearing earrings, necklaces, rings, crown, and anklets. Shiva as Kirata is depicted with yellow-skin; green-colored upper garment, green lower garment; He is wearing earrings, necklaces, armlets, bangles, and anklets; His hands are also clenched in fists; Parvati stands behind them; She is looking at the scene with a smile on her face. She is green-skinned, with earrings, necklaces, and bangles, and rings; She wears a lower garment made of leaves; There is a tree depicted in the backdrop; Shiva's crown has peacock feathers attached to it.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Veera

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 20
Adjacent Panels: Kiratharjuneeyam 5, Sreekrishnaleela 2

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_P020
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.