Asuras
Historical background
It has been suggested that the asuras represent the dark side of the gods. There is an eternal conflict between the gods and the equally powerful asuras. There are, however, some asuras that are devotees of the gods, such as Ravana, a great follower of Shiva.
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Scene from the Kiratarjuniya. Shiva as Kirata stands near the carcass of the boar. Behind is a figure, possibly Parvati, in the guise of a Kirati, or forest huntress. Brandishing the bow, Arjuna approaches the Kirata.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Mahamandapa, northern periphery
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: From right: Arjuna sits in deep meditation, flames emanate from his body and his hair stands on end.
Shiva and Parvati accompanied by their retinue, all in the guise of kiratas (hunters), walk through the forest. Before them appears a boar, Muka, destined to be killed by Arjuna. Shiva and Parvati sit on a nearby hillock looking on, while the wild boar, baring his sharp tusks runs, through the forest, almost landing on a group of sages who flee in panic.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, central hall, east bay south end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Aspects of Shiva; Shiva kills the asura Andhaka. Flanked by five rishis on one side and six on the other, Shiva tramples on Andhaka, while transfixing him with the trident. Dakshinamurti (Shiva as supreme teacher); Flanked by eight sages, five on the left, and three on the right, Shiva sits under the trees atop Mount Kailasa, depicted here as a pile of rocks. The face of the Ganga is visible among Shiva’s dreadlocks, while the crescent moon rests on the side of his head.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Colonnaded verandah, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Aspects of Shiva; Shiva kills the asura Andhaka; Flanked by rishis, Shiva tramples on Andhaka, while transfixing the demon with the trident.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Colonnaded verandah, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Aspects of Shiva; Kalyanasundaramurti; Shiva and Parvati are at the centre of this heavily restored composition. Shiva’s extended lower right hand holds gently Parvati’s hand, whose stance reveals her shyness. On Shiva’s left sits Brahma, in charge of the ritual. Two women blessing the couple stand near Parvati.
Tripurantakamurti; Tremendous tension is suggested by this depiction, with Shiva shown with his legs wide apart and his right arm extended. He carries the bow, whose string is the serpent Vasuki. His five hoods are clearly visible at its top, and the tail twisted into a knot at its bottom. The powerful arrow which has just being shot by Shiva is none other but Vishnu, as suggested by the face (badly rubbed) shown at its tip on the extreme left. Hanging upside down in mid-air are the three fortresses of the asuras that have been transfixed by Shiva’s arrow. Each fortress is defended by an asura armed with a sword and shield. Brahma is Shiva’s charioteer. The chariot’s front wheel is Chandra, the moon, the back wheel , Surya, the sun, and it is drawn by two horses. Behind the chariot are two rishis. Clearly recognizable on the right is Narada with the vina resting on his shoulder.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Colonnaded verandah, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Aspects of Shiva; Kalyanasundaramurti; Shiva and Parvati are at the centre of this heavily restored composition. Shiva’s extended lower right hand holds gently Parvati’s hand, whose stance reveals her shyness. On Shiva’s left sits Brahma, in charge of the ritual. Two women blessing the couple stand near Parvati.
Tripurantakamurti; Tremendous tension is suggested by this depiction, with Shiva shown with his legs wide apart and his right arm extended. He carries the bow, whose string is the serpent Vasuki. His five hoods are clearly visible at its top, and the tail twisted into a knot at its bottom. The powerful arrow which has just being shot by Shiva is none other but Vishnu, as suggested by the face (badly rubbed) shown at its tip on the extreme left. Hanging upside down in mid- air are the three fortresses of the asuras that have been transfixed by Shiva’s arrow. Each fortress is defended by an asura armed with a sword and shield. Brahma is Shiva’s charioteer. The chariot’s front wheel is Chandra, the moon, the back wheel , Surya, the sun; it is drawn by two horses. Behind the chariot are two rishis. Clearly recognizable on the right is Narada with the vina resting on his shoulder.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Colonnaded verandah, north bay
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1)Narasimha emerging from the pillar flanked by Prahlada on the left and Hiranyakashipu on the right; 2) Seated Vishnu (?); 3) Unidentified.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, south wall, bottom row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: Govindaraja of Tiruchitrakutam (Chidambaram) reclining on the serpent Shesha. A lotus ,on which Brahma is seated, emerges from Govindaraja’s navel. One of his consorts sits near his head, the other at his feet. In the foreground: Two devotees. 2) Adi Varaha Perumal of Srimushnam striding. 3)Trivikrama of Sirkali. In the top left corner, Brahma accompanied by the dikpalas lustrates the raised foot of Trivikrama. In the top right corner celestials shower flowers on the god. On a cloud, on the left are Narada, Tumburu and other celestials singing Trivikrama’s praise. In the bottom left corner, King Bali grants Vamana the three steps of land to build his hut.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1)Trivikrama of Sirkali. In the top left corner, Brahma accompanied by Brahma and the dikpalas lustrates the raised foot of Trivikrama. In the top right corner celestials shower flowers on the god. On a cloud, on the left are Narada, Tumburu and other celestials singing Trivikrama’s praise. In the bottom left corner, King Bali grants Vamana the three steps of land to build his hut. 2) Tirunarayana of Melukote with Bibi Nacchiyar seated between his feet. 3) Standing Vishnu.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. Trivikrama of Sirkali. In the top left corner, Brahma accompanied by the dikpalas lustrates the raised foot of Trivikrama. In the top right corner celestials shower flowers on the god. On a cloud, on the left are Narada, Tumburu and other celestials singing Trivikrama’s praise. In the bottom left corner, King Bali grants Vamana the three steps of land to build his hut.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, upper register
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Four vignettes depicting the story of Sri Narasimha of Ahobilam. 2) Sri Kalyana Narayanan in Dwarka seated with his eight consorts. On the extreme right, a standing devotee.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Indra and his troops fight against Vritrasura and the Kalakeyas. On the left, Indra on his elephant Airavata; On the right, Indra loses the battle against Vritrasura.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, fourth tier, south chamber, east wall
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