Shiva Vishavarupa, Universal form with Consort

Shiva is one of Hinduism’s major gods and the supreme god of the Shaivite sect, worshipers devoted primarily to him. He takes many forms—ascetic, destroyer, conqueror of death, cosmic dancer—and this painting presents him as Vishvarupa, “universal form” or “form of the world.” In this painting the viewer has the sense that the deity takes up all available space on the canvas, a visual metaphor for the perception that the entire world is divine. He embraces his female consort, who is in complete harmony with the mustached male god; the two appear to almost blend into each other. Both have a multitude of heads and arms, indicating their infinite vision and reach. Shiva bears the orbs of the sun and moon in his two main hands, as if the cosmos itself were in his grasp. The couple dances atop a dais supported by lesser Hindu gods and within an aureole of fire. They are surrounded by scenes of charnel grounds and other manifestations of the great god. At the bottom center the couple is shown in sexual embrace but their colors are reversed.