Wisdom, creativity, and music- things that give meaning to our existence are ruled by the great goddess Saraswati. She is the origin of the inspiration of the builders of great civilizations, writers of Maha-Kaavya (great epics), and Shilpis (craftsmen) of life-like sculptures. Her dance, as magnificently captured in this Panchaloha bronze, is the free and unobstructed movement of the purest creative forces of the universe, the kind that inspired the ultimate Shilpi- Brahma towards the ultimate creative function- the origination of Srishti (creation).
On a finely delineated upturned lotus, goddess Saraswati can be seen performing her enchanting dance. Her presence is entrancing- her Vaishanvite Kritamukuta (conical crown), rosary and Veda in her hands (attributes of Brahma) and her long and thick tresses as well as the activity she is indulged in- dancing (associated with Shiva), remind us of the status of Mahasaraswati- the great Saraswati, above the Tridevas. She is the personification of the creative potencies of all three of them, in the most mesmerizing female form.
Her physique represents the exquisiteness that lies in the creative principles of the universe and she is adorned in a deific manner. With the highest degree of artistic delicateness, the maker of this bronze has offered the goddess a charming Panchavali (five-stringed) necklace, paired with Makara earrings, fine armbands, and anklets. Her Kuchabandha or breast ornament has a distinctive floral pattern and is attached to two pairs of chains that hold the ornament in place. A rare element of this bronze is the open hair of the goddess, which is mostly seen in the representations of Durga and Kali. With her tresses flying freely, this idol presents Maa Saraswati as the source of unrestrained and limitless creativity, which can not be (just like her hair) tied down. The tranquility and stillness of the goddess’ countenance is a result of the aforementioned autonomy of artistic forces, which are the harbinger of godly auspiciousness.
A master craftsman’s touch is felt in the way Maa Sarasawati’s locks are shown layered on her back. It continues to manifest itself in the way the musculature of a dancing female body is highlighted – her rounded buttocks and legs that get symmetrically reduced in thickness- from her thighs to her calves, all the while getting a full sense of movement through these bodily features. Detailing of this bronze can be appreciated in the thinness of the Uttariya (upper body garment) that falls on her hand holding the Veda and goes to the one holding the Veena- the stringed instrument of the Devi.
The Veena is considered a symbol for the human body- Devi’s act of playing it to produce music thus symbolizes Her heartening the human form with divine melodies. Enriched by her tunes, we human beings move, create, and are struck by awe when seeing our own creations. Only a few lucky ones understand, that it is the goddess Saraswati, dancing, moving within each one of us, that inspires us to create wonders that are beyond our imagination.
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