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Shiva as Mahesha

10th century
Not on view
This statue is part of a group of unusual large stone carvings in the round from the Chola period. They all portray the same deity, long identified as Brahma but now thought to be Mahesha, a form of Shiva. Shiva’s worshipers believe that he manifests himself in three stages, which move from the abstract to the concrete—symbolized by the undecorated linga (shaft); the linga with one or more faces emerging from it; and, finally, Mahesha. From him are born the other two great Hindu gods, Brahma and Vishnu. Mahesha is shown here with four faces: on the right is Brahma; in the center, Shiva; on the left, Vishnu; and on the back, Rudra (possibly the predecessor of Shiva). The attributes associated with Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu are on their respective sides.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shiva as Mahesha
  • Period: Chola period
  • Date: 10th century
  • Culture: India (Tamil Nadu)
  • Medium: Granite
  • Dimensions: H. 58 in. (147.3 cm); W. 32 in. (81.3 cm); D. 16 in. (40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Egleston Fund, 1927
  • Object Number: 27.79
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Garuda (Vishnu's Mount) Seated in Royal Ease, Granite, India, Tamil Nadu
Garuda (Vishnu's Mount) Seated in Royal Ease
India, Tamil Nadu
second half of the 8th–early 9th century
Standing Parvati, Copper alloy, Indian (Tamil Nadu)
Standing Parvati
Indian (Tamil Nadu)
ca. first quarter of the 10th century
Jyeshtha Flanked by Her Children, Granite, India (Tamil Nadu)
Jyeshtha Flanked by Her Children
India (Tamil Nadu)
9th–10th century
Standing Vishnu, Copper alloy, India (Tamil Nadu)
Standing Vishnu
India (Tamil Nadu)
ca. third quarter of the 10th century
Buddha Offering Protection, Copper alloy, India (probably Bihar)
Buddha Offering Protection
India (probably Bihar)
late 6th–early 7th century

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