Brahma
Description
This four-headed life-size sculpture is identified as an image of Brahma. He is adorned with various ornaments, a necklace, hollow cast earrings, a torque, a thick necklace and also wears the skin of an antelope and yajnopavita on his shoulder. The design of his moulded earrings has continued till today. Similar earrings are occasionally seen worn by some Koli women of this area who still prefer traditional ornamentation.
This is the only known figure from Elephanta which is carved in the round and is to be seen from all the four sides. Hence, it is probable that the sculpture was installed in the shrine for the devotees to do pradakshina or circumambulation.
The image is carved in the round only up to the lower part of the neck of the rear side. The artist has carved a smooth vertical slab at the back, probably to fix the image on a vertical support.
Collection
Sculptures
Object Type
Sculpture
Material
Basalt
Schools/Culture/Period
--
Date
Mid 6th Century CE
Location
Elephanta, Maharashtra
Dimension
110 x 57 x 45 cms.