Identification of some Brahmanical Sculptures
By Dhirendra Chandra Ganguly
Summary
The article discusses the identification of several Brahmanical sculptures, focusing on a four-armed goddess found near Shabkandar on the North-West Frontier. Initially attributed to Gandhara art due to its Greek-style drapery and Hellenic pose, the sculpture is re-examined. The goddess holds a spear and wheel in her lower arms, with the upper left arm broken. The author argues against Dr. Spooner’s claim that four-armed goddesses are rare in Gandhara art, noting the prevalence of four-armed deities like Shiva. The sculpture is identified as Vaisnavi, consort of Vishnu, based on her attributes: a conch (shankha), lotus (padma), discus (chakra), and mace (gada). This aligns with the Purnagottama iconography of Vishnu. The piece is dated to the early 2nd century A.D., suggesting the early presence of Vaishnavism in the region. Another sculpture from Rajgir, Bihar, depicts a male figure with four arms, identified as Vishudeva. He holds a conch, discus, mace, and lotus, with attendants representing Gada (feminine force) and Shesha (cosmic serpent). The author critiques Dr. Bloch’s earlier identification of the figure as Banasura, noting the inconsistency with Banasura’s mythological depiction. The analysis emphasizes iconographic details, stylistic influences, and regional art historical contexts.
Conclusion
This study's identification of key Brahmanical sculptures, particularly the four-armed Vaisnavi statue near Shabkadar, offers critical insights into early Indo-Greek artistic synthesis and the diffusion of Vaishnavism in North Western India by the 2nd century A.D. The analysis challenges prior assumptions about Gandharan iconography, demonstrating how foreign stylistic elements were adapted into local religious contexts. By meticulously examining attributes like the cakra, lotus, and spear, the research establishes a previously undocumented connection between North Western Frontier sculptures and Puranic iconographic traditions. These findings not only expand our understanding of regional religious practices but also highlight the cultural dynamism of early Indian art, bridging Hellenistic influences with indigenous theological frameworks. The discovery underscores the need for continued archaeological investigation to uncover further evidence of syncretic religious expressions in ancient India.