Shiva as Gajashvaram, Battling the Elephant 11"

Materials:      Gorora stone, red marble from Uttar Pradesh, India carved in Tamil Nadu
Height:            11 inches
Base:               4 x 2.5 inches
Widest Point: 9 inches
Weight:         6 pounds

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This colored red marble statue is a one of a kind sculpture, hand carved by the artists of south India. 

The cream coloring of the stone is extremely rare.  Gorora stone usually has either a red or green coloring.  This piece of stone is completely cream colored.  Beautiful!

Special Features:  This sculpture is called Gajasamharam - "Shiva Battling the elephant.  This pose has all the grace of a Nataraja sculpture.  Shiva lacks His fangs which are normally exposed in this terrifying aspect of Shiva.  The surrounding ring around Shiva is the carcass of the dead elephant.  The four feet of the elephant dispersed around the skin of the dead elephant.  The dead skin of the elephant is a marked contrast from the Nataraja sculpture's cosmic arch.  In his hands he holds a knife, trident and a shield as well as the skin of the dead elephant.   The base is composed of the head of the deceased elephant.  The backside of the sculpture is the skin of the elephant.

The color of the sculpture is very unique in that it is entirely green with small speckles of orange/red dots.  Usually gorora stone has limited green veins. 

The Stories Behind the Sculpture: In Varanasi, India there was a demon in the form of an elephant who was harassing the saints and devotees of Shiva during their prayer.  Shiva then destroyed the elephant-demon for the lack of respect.  Thus the name, Gajasamharam, Sanskrit for "Killing the Elephant."
Another story with Shiva battling an elephant is part of the story of the Nataraja.  There were rishis and priests living in the forest known as 'Tharukavanam', they became very arrogant as they had mastered all the 'Vedas', 'Agamas' and 'Shastras' and could raise powerful creatures from the sacrificial fires to do their bidding. Lord Shiva wished to show these rishis their limitations and appeared as a handsome mendicant with Vishnu as his wife 'Mohini'. This created chaos in 'Tharukavanam' as the wives of the rishis fell under the spell of this charming, handsome mendicant while the youthful rishis fell for the allure of Mohini. The older rishis became very angry and wanted to destroy the pair. They raised a sacrificial fire, 'Homam', from which appeared a tiger which was directed at the pair. Lord Shiva killed the tiger, peeled off its skin and tied it around his waist. They raised an elephant which they sent against Lord Shiva, which Shiva destroyed.  Then the rishis produced a poisonous serpent, which Lord Shiva caught and wore around his neck. The rishis also sent a demon, 'Muyalakan', against Lord Shiva whom he crushed under his feet. Then the rishis sent the sacrificial fire against him which he put on his left hand. The rishis having lost the fire sent the Vedic 'mantras' which the Lord wore around his ankles. At this the rishis conceded defeat and the Lord revealed himself by dancing the 'Oorthava thandavam' with his matted hair unfurling in all eight directions and the world reverberating to his steps. 

About Gorora Stone:  Gorora stone or Red marble is a wonderful stone for sculpture because of its wide color range.  It is rarer than most soft stones and must be shipped into Tamil Nadu from Uttar Pradesh in the north.  The stone has wonderful cream/yellow/green veins in it contrasting to the beautiful deep red to sometimes pink natural coloration of the stone.  The stone is extremely glossy.  When a red marble statue is polished it has a disarming shimmer. 

Care:  The piece is for indoor use only.  Dust the piece as needed using a cotton piece of cloth.  You can really make the surface and color of the statue shine if you use a cloth to buff the surface.

Shipping is automatically calculated by UPS for shipping within the US and Canada.  Each piece is usually shipped within 24 hours of the order with the exception of the weekend.   If you are in Canada please select "UPS Standard to Canada" for the shipping option.  If you are an international customer please select "TNT International Shipping" during checkout.  The shipping will come out as $0 and will be added to your order.  Please call 203-629-0902 or email us info@lotussculpture.com for a shipping quote.

Click here to learn more about Shiva the Destroyer.  Please email,  info@lotussculpture.com or call us, toll free, with any questions or comments 1 (866) LOTUS-12.