Kiratharjuneeyam 8 - Kerala Mural Archive

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P023 — Shiva, Arjuna: full panel view

Detail Photos

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P023 — Shiva, Arjuna: detail view 1 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P023 — Shiva, Arjuna: detail view 2 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P023 — Shiva, Arjuna: detail view 3 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P023 — Shiva, Arjuna: detail view 4 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P023 — Shiva, Arjuna: detail view 5 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P023 — Shiva, Arjuna: detail view 6 of 6

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

This is the final scene in the Kiratarjuniya panel. It shows Shiva gifting the Pashupathastra, or arrow, to Arjuna. Arjuna receives the arrow with both his hands raised. He is green-skinned and standing to the right of the panel. Green-skinned Parvati is seen to the right of Shiva. Shiva is four-armed and holds a deer and an axe in both of his hands, and holds the Pashupathastra in both his lower hands. He wears a crown, necklaces, earrings, armlets, bangles, and a green upper garment. There is faint silhouettes of the crescent moon depicted above his crown. The background is drawn with images of trees, depicting the jungle.

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: 8 out of 8

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva, Arjuna
Secondary Figures: Parvathi; Parvathi
Iconographic Form: Kiratharjuneeyam
Iconographic Attributes: Golden skinned Shiva ; with four arms; Two of his upper arms hold a deer, and an axe; Two of his lower hands hold the Pashupathastra, or the arrow, which he is gifting to Arjuna; He wears a green upper garment; crown with crescent moon and Ganga; three-eyed; with earrings, necklaces, armlets, rings. Arjuna to his right; hands raised in a gesture to receive the Pashupathastra; He is green-skinned; wears an upper jacket and a lower garment; He wears earrings, necklaces, armlets, rings, bangles, and a crown; He is standing upright; His hair is decorated with flower garlands; Parvati's face visible to Shiva's left; Green skin with a crown on her forehead; Background is of a jungle.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 23
Adjacent Panels: Kiratharjuneeyam 7, Ashtabuja Venugopala

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_P023
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.