A sculptured marvel at Mahabalipuram, often called "Arjuna's Penance",
is an enormous relief made on two huge boulders. One of the biggest
open-air rock canvases in the world, this bas-relief is 31m long and 9m
high. The surface of the rock has detailed carvings, showing the most
endearing and natural renditions of animals.
The Carvings On The Rock
Arjuna's Penance, the exquisitely sculpted scene, which presents mans
view of the universe, has over 100 figures of gods and semi divine
creatures, birds and beasts, man and saint. All these figures are carved
either facing or approaching the fissure and generally with hands folded
in adoration.
The cleft in the rock depicts the descent of River Ganga (also known as
Ganges), brought to earth by King Bhagiratha to redeem the cursed souls of
his ancestors. On the left side of the fissure can be seen a simple temple
which contains a four-armed deity, probably Shiva. The fissure is
sculptured with Nagas. Above the fissure and on either side of it are
flying figures of Gods and below are some sculptures of animals of which
giant elephants are the most impressive and are considered to be the
noblest creations of the human mind.
Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers and a consummate archer, is shown
standing on one leg, doing penance to obtain a boon from Lord Shiva. There
is a forest with tribal people and all forms of animal life, just as they
would appear in their habitat. Women are clothed in an aura of
indescribable grace, a rich inner beauty transfiguring the plainest of
them. The comic scene in the relief will amuse visitors where a cat is
standing doing penance, while big and small rats are freely playing around
the feline 'Tapaswi'.
A monkey family has also been depicted in a very exquisite and appealing
manner. In the liveliness of each figure, one can notice the intense and
naive love of life that characterizes the Buddhist art at Sanchi.
The Theme
Critics are divided over the theme: one school believes that it shows
Arjuna undertaking a penance to obtain a rare weapon against his enemies.
The other believes that it depicts the legend of the River Ganges's
descent to earth. According to them, cleft appeared in the rock dividing
the canvas in two, when Shiva responded to Bhagirathas penance.
Legend Connected With Arjuna's Penance
What is depicted here in the great open-air sculpture
has
a story behind it and has been the subject of difference of opinion among
historians. The older theory is that it represents the penance of Arjuna
during his exile in the Himalayas, in the hope that Shiva would part with
his favourite weapon, the "Pashupatashatra", a magic staff or
arrow. All generally accepts this popular interpretation.
Some historians like Ferguson, Burgess, Vogel, Touvean, Dubreine and
Langhurst have not accepted the above theory but put forward different
ones, which are given below
The view held by Ferguson and Burgess is that this sculpture represents "Serpent
Worship" in ancient India and that "in the center on a
projecting ledge between the two great masses of rock once stood the
statue of the great Nagaraja who was the principal personage for whose
honour this great bas-relief was designed".
A later theory supported by Langhurst and Dr. Coomaraswamy (also splet as
Coomaraswami) is that it depicts the "Descent of the Ganges"
from the height of Kailasha (also spelt as Kailash). If this view is
accepted, then the personage who has been identified, as Arjuna should be
called "Bhagiratha" and this great sculpture as Bhagiratha's
penance and not Arjuna's. But no local tradition exists which can serve as
a real clue to its origin.
Places to stay in Tamilnadu
Accommodation is available at the hotels in Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram).
