அரட்டையை வெட்டியாக உபயோகிக்கும் மனிதர்களுக்கு நடுவில், அதை மிகவும் உபயோகமான வழியில் பயன்படுத்தியுள்ளீர்கள்.

ஆக்கப்பூர்வமான அரட்டைக்கு வழிகோலிய “திரு”விற்கு தான் நன்றி சொல்ல வேண்டும்.

பாவம் அந்த நண்பர் ஏதோ தங்களிடம் கேட்க வந்தவரை இப்படியா குழப்பிவிடுவீர்கள்…அவர் ஆசிரியரிடம் சென்று என்ன அவஸ்தை படப் போகிறாரோ

Dear VJ,

here are my takes on this. The sculpture of Hanuman holding the Bana Lingam is of course part of scriptures as well as folklore and there are more than one versions of the Ramayana supporting the story behind that particular sculpture.

But the question put forth by Kathie B is quite pertinent. To a lot many people this particular picture portrayed by you as Hanuman with Bana Linga is seen as Lord Vishnu in the Matsya-avataram (so to many if not most, the face of the deity seems not like that of an ape or monkey-alike, but rather fish). It is also believed that it is Vishnu’s Matsyavataram holding the mother earth, after rescuing it from Hiranyakshan (the elder brother of Hiranyakashipu). But having looked at the close-ups, this particular sculpture has eyelashes which are attributes of human faced apes unlike fishes whose eyes have to be perfectly round without eyelashes. Even otherwise, if it was Lord Vishnu as Matsyavataram holding mother Earth, then the shape of the earth has to be round, not oblong as coming out in that sculpture.

In addition, the following I hope will be useful for the ‘background’ behind many such sculptures and the ’stories’ behind them.

Like you showed so kindly the Nandi and Hanuman having Shiva attributes.

You see in the Vishnu Divya Desam of Thiruvelliyangudi temple on the outskirts of Thanjavur (it has Kolavilli Ramar in lying posture), on the outside of the Garbagriha (as is usual in a Vishnugriha) the Garuda stands facing the reclining Lord. This particular Garuda in Thiruvelliyangudi temple is special in the sense that while like other Garudas, he stands before the Lord, in addition to that, he has the benefeaction of standing the Shankha and Chakra in his hands.. which is a rarity. Likewise, you showed and spoke about the Nandi (unusually) with attributes of Shiva.

What is the similarity between both examples? Quite easy to see, like at Velliyangudi, the Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu has in his hands the primary weapons of the Lord, similarly the vehicle of Shiva the Nandi, in the sculpture under reference has the primary weapons of his Lord.

Similarly, my mother mentioned two more examples (I will talk to her and inform about the specific two temples) where (as in Garuda’s case in Velliyangudi) in another major temple, it is the Hanuman who has Shanka and Chakra of Lord Vishnu in his hands. In yet another temple, Goddess Laxmi is sitting alone (apparently, Lord Vishnu has gone away to earth on an Avataram with Laxmi’s role yet to be enacted) and she is missing his company. In the same sannidhi, close to her it is Parvati giving her company with Lord Vishnu having left his Shanka and Chakra close to Goddess Laxmi to remind of him. So to pacify Lakshmi, Goddess Parvati is shown as holding aloft the Shanka and Chakra of Lord Vishnu, thereby creating a likeness (or mirage) of herself, and resembling Lord Vishnu very closely.

Others may also give their take on this.

Cheenu

Dear VJ,

I think to a large extent even Kannan’s synopsis looks correct. On a close up the face looks more like a pig (certainly it does not look like a monkey). On that analogy it is also tempting to see the figure as Varaha moorthy.. though for the short stature and height of the accompanying consorts.. I have a doubt if they are indeed Sri Devi and Bhoodevi, are they not chamara-beejayis - the ones who fan the Lord.

But if they are indeed Sri and Bhoodevis, then nothing’s left to doubt.

I saw the sculptures more closely and am reviewing my own opinion. Surely the accompanying consorts with the Lord are firstly women and secondly, both are not at all having Chamarams but seem to have the same Shankha and Chakra in their hands (if not lotus petals). So the sculpture in all probability is that of Lord Vishnu and not Hanuman.

But VJ I would value your opinion also equally. You and Kathie may like to comment.