“Jai-Jai Hey Mahishasur Mardini, Ramya-kapardini Shaila-Sute”- Glory to the slayer (Mardini) of the demon Mahishasur, who glows with her exquisite locks of hair, the great daughter (Suta) of the King of Mountains (Shaila).
“Mahishasur Mardini Stotram”- the hymn penned by sage Shankaracharya in the praise of the mother-goddess Durga begins by relating her to the daughter of Himalaya, Uma-Parvati, the primordial goddess who is the manifestation of the pure, active, feminine energy of the universe- “Prakriti”. Also known as “Shakti”, the primeval female has many forms. She is Durga in the battle with Mahishasur, She is Kali who annihilates time and death, She is Lakshmi who enables life on earth, and She is Saraswati who inspires the creative mind. In the Shaiva shrines of Tamil Nadu, “Shakti” reveals herself as “Uma-Parvati”, “Shivakamasundari”, and “Tripurasundari”- the divine counterpart of Adi Deva Shiva, complementing him in every way, as a devout wife.
In this form, manifested in the serene Panchaloha bronze statue, “Mahadevi” Parvati is called “Bhoga Shakti”- the goddess of Pleasure, who by mirroring the persona of Shiva through her physical and abstract body, brings him out of his meditative state, and becomes the cause of the Creation (Srishti).
With the attitude of a queen, Devi Uma in this Panchaloha statue rests on a “Kamalasana”- lotus throne, which is placed in close proximity to the idol of Shiva, in their palace-like abode. Devi’s throne is a two-tiered platform, decorated in detail with tiny floral motifs between every two petals. Supporting Uma’s leg on the throne is a small cushion- an attribute that shows the Panchaloha artist’s concern towards the comforts of the Universal queen mother.
The “Mahishasur Mardini Stotram” elucidate the luminous beauty of Uma- describing her gait like the graceful “Hamsa” (swan flock), her face that makes the glow of the full moon docile with its aura, her eyes that surpass the black bumblebee with their mystical allure, her hair looking like the Bakula blossom covered with black bees. These poetic verses of the Stotram have been materialized in this outstanding Uma bronze sculpture.
If we divide this exquisite Uma bronze into the ancient measurement units- “Talas” (one Tala equal to the palm of the hand, from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist), we will be able to truly appreciate the intricate work done by the Sthapatis on this gigantic bronze from Swamimalai. Starting from her matted hair styled in an extensively elaborate fashion, each part of this bronze Uma murti is worth hours of beholden gazing. The Jatamukut (crowns made from locks of hair) of the daughter of Himalaya copies the high rising peaks of the mountains. The eyes of Uma are no less than the celestial bodies- the Sun and the Moon. The “Yajnopavita” or sacred thread appears to be a heavenly stream meandering between a deep valley. Devi’s legs, sturdy yet agile remind us of the tree trunks, full of enriching elements. Adorned with such marvelous features, this bronze sculpture of goddess Uma is her most enchanting representation as “Prakriti”- who is the singular source of all the scenic beauty around us. And who could ornament “Tripurasundari” (the most beautiful woman in three worlds) ?
Besides a “Trivalli” (three-strand) necklace, a tiara-like crown, armbands, waistbands, and anklet- all of them simple in make, the Shilpi of this bronze Uma icon has avoided adding any excessive ornamentation. Human jewels simply can not be enough to beautify the Mahadevi. The mythical “Makara” motif (symbol of divine beauty) repeated on her ornamentation is an attempt to please the mother-goddess who sustains every life form, with our meager sources and knowledge. The great mother Uma-Parvati, residing in this imposing Panchaloha icon, smiles inwardly- a smile that is riveting and calming simultaneously.
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