Redemption From Evil Spirits

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This magnificent miniature represents a tantrika redeeming a woman from the influence of evil spirits. Such tantrika and ritual practices are yet wide-spread all over India and beyond. At least some ten percent population of the country depends upon tantra and rituals for discovering in them solution to their various material and spiritual problems and cure to their different ailments. Not only the rural population or the illiterate masses but even the literate and urban sections of people are seen taking recourse to tantra, rituals, black art and astrology for solving the things which they otherwise fail to tackle.

The man who has brought the lady for tantrika treatment is obviously her husband and a man from court-life. Not only his crown but his rich costume, precious jewels and ornaments and elegance all over his person and his as richly clad and bejewelled wife define their high birth and feudal links. Though bare footed and motionless she is prostrating on ground before the tantrika, yet this hardly erode her status and grace. Her long fine hair, style of dressing and clothing, fine glowing features and over-all elegance speak for her class. The seriousness of her ailment reflects in the deep concern and tension with which her husband is looking at the tantrika's face. He is broken and indolent and is humbly looking at the yogi for his favour. The maiden is not ailing physically of which there are no apparent signs. She is obviously under the influence of some evil spirits and has been brought to the yogi for redeeming her from them.

The tantrika is a Shaivite devoted to Bhairava, the supreme deity of tantra. The tripunda mark on his forehead, a human skull upon his breast, a trident consecrating his ritual fire and another with tongs consecrating his seat all speak of his Shaivite and Bhairava links. With a tripunda mark on his forehead and a trident flag in his hand yogi's disciple too is a Shaivite. Close to yogi's left knee there crawls a serpent, again a Shaivite mark. A garuda - like bird is upholding serpent's tail in its beak but no one is harming the other. Shiva's bull occupies a prominent position and so does Bhairava's dog. The dog is sucking a bone, obviously the remnant of the meat offered to Bhairava during Bhairava rituals. It is Bhairava alone who has capacity to ride a pair of boars seen resting quietly along with other pets around yogi's hut.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of ancient Indian literature. Dr Daljeet is the chief curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the National Museum of India, New Delhi. They have both collaborated on numerous books on Indian art and culture.