Shiva's Family (Uma-Mahesvara) Buff Sandstone Northern India

A stele depicting Shiva’s family set on three receding planes, with the figures of Shiva and Parvati as a loving couple, both seated in the posture of relaxation (lalitasana). Shiva is four-armed, his lower left arm wraps around Parvati’s back and cradles her breast in his hand, while the lower right arm rests on his thigh holding the lotus of dalliance (lilakamala). The upper right hand is now missing but the possible remains of a trident staff can be seen on his right thigh, while the upper left hand holds a snake by its head. Parvati stretches her arm around her lovers shoulders while her left hand, the left arm broken, rests on her knee. Their pendant legs rest on their respective mounts (vahanas), Nandi and the lion. A small dancing figure of Bhringi, Siva’s favorite attendant, dances in front of them while their two sons sit in royal ease (maharajalilasana) on the base behind them, Ganesha on the right and Skanda on the left. Small flywhisk bearers and rampant leonine vyalas are on the outer edges of the throne back, while at the apex of the stele sits a small seated Shiva flanked by two garland bearers with Brahma seated to the right and Vishnu to the left.

Compare: Pal. P.; Indian Sculpture, Vol II, LACMA, 1988, p. 99, Fig. 34.