An exploration of the divine iconography of Umāmaheśvaramūrti, the depiction of Śiva and Pārvatī in intimate embrace, as seen in Hindu art and sculpture across time.
April 01, 2025
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Header image: Umāmaheśvara, Pala era (9th century), East India
namaḥ śivābhyāṃ navayauvanābhyāṃ
parasparāśliṣṭavapurdharābhyām ।
nagēndrakanyāvṛṣakētanābhyāṃ
namō namaḥ śaṅkarapārvatībhyām ॥ 1 ॥
śrī umāmaheśvara stotram
My namaskāra to Śiva and Pārvatī (referred to by the epithet Śivā) who are eternally youthful, who embrace each other affectionately; of whom one is the daughter of the mountain and the other bears the symbol of a bull; I offer my namaskāra again and again to that Śaṅkara and Pārvatī.
Images of Śiva and Pārvatī embracing (āliṅgana) are numerous from the beginning of the present era, found in every school and era of art across the country. Umāmaheśvaramūrti brings the God and Goddess of the universe together in the most tender of love. Śiva's body is curved towards Pārvatī, whose shape aligns with his. Śiva's hand cups Pārvatī’s breast in an endearing gesture of love.
Umā-Maheśvaramūrti, Nepal. 900s. Stone. Previously held by The Denver Art Museum, the sculpture has been returned to the people of Nepal in 2021
In this stunning mūrti from the tenth century Thakuri Dynasty of Nepal, Śiva and Pārvatī, are seen sumptuously adorned and enthroned amid mountains and retinue. Śiva embraces Umā with His lower left arm, which rests on her shoulder, and the Goddess lovingly nestles against his powerful body. In a gesture of trusting intimacy, Pārvatī rests one of Her arms on Śiva's thigh and one on her own. Śiva’s mild, passive mien is made known by His raised upper right hand holding a rosary and his pose of royal ease (lalitāsana). A flaming nimbus (śirascakra) encompasses his head. Next to Śiva is a seated Nandi; below, a diminutive Kārtikeya who extends his hand to his peacock vāhana. Next to Pārvatī are her companions and ladies-in-waiting carrying a fly whisk and a long-handled umbrella. A leopard skin with its somnolent face grinning, is spread out over the rock beneath the ornate cushion where the two Gods are seated. Below the throne are Kārttikeya, Gaṇeśa and an emaciated Bhṛṅgi looking up at Śiva in passionate devotion.
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