The gaze of the holy one is firmly fixed in the front, a moment of contemplative concentration. It is as if the moment is one when the great goddess, impressed by her devotee's attentions, decides to manifest herself in front of him. This is but the ultimate goal of all ascetic activity. Interpreted on a symbolic level, the sage Chyavana signifies our own inner longing to envision the Devi. As a worshipper of the goddess and as one who receives her grace, he is a symbol of the patron or the viewer of the painting itself. He has achieved the same result which we would have desired to gain. Hence is he shown adorned in 'material' jewelry. We too can achieve 'darshan' of the goddess, while still following the 'ordinary' course of our lives and fulfilling our karma.
In extension of the same symbolism the sage is shown seated in a grove full of cheerful and colorful trees. In contrast to the rishi, the goddess is shown separately across an open space and is seated upon an elaborate corpse. Her complexion is fair and in her four hands she carries implements more commonly associated with Vishnu. These are a mace, conch, chakra , and lotus. Her yellow garments too are reminiscent of Vishnu. This points out that she is but a form of Goddess Lakshmi the consort of Vishnu. But rather than her usual seat of a lotus here she sits upon a corpse, connoting her Tantric affiliations.
Other Paintings of this Series:
Siddha Lakshmi with Kali
Kali The Divine Mother
Bhadrakali, Destroyer of the Universe
Varahi
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