An unusually animated iconography in the usually tranquil idiom of Chola bronzes, the statue of Gajasura-samhara murty- vanquisher of the elephant demon, presents the story of Shiva’s victory over the asura terrorizing his devotees.
The elephant-shaped demon, whose body has been stretched like an ethereal halo around Shiva’s form, was engaged in destroying the worship of Shiva-Lingam, when Mahadeva appeared to protect his devotees. In his Ashtabhuja (eight-armed) powerful form, Shiva ended the reign of terror of the elephant demon.
With his hands digging into the elephant's skin, Shiva holds its body, while balancing his form rather gracefully on the head of the demon. His left leg is arrested in the air, and swaying garments and garland suggest an atmosphere of motion. His celestial form is adorned by the crescent moon in his hair, earrings, Yajnopavita, Baaghacharma (tiger hide) dhoti, anklets, and armlets.
The riveting expressions of his countenance and the awe of the Samhara have created an ethereal atmosphere, making Uma take Skanda in her embrace and rush to one side, and the Shiva-Gana beat the war drum and cymbals in ecstasy, of witnessing Mahakala Shiva perform his divine play.
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