Shiva
takes on several manifestations. Each manifestation accompanies a myth that
explains his form and attributes present with each form. Apart from Shiva’s typical
damaru (kettledrum), trishula (trident) and parashu (axe), the antelope (mriga)
is seen in several avatars (manifestations) of Shiva. In the Asian Civilizations
Museum’s late Chola bronze Somaskanda, Shiva is seen holding an antelope in his
left hand.
One myth describes some of the attributes as weapons that were wielded upon him. As a wandering ascetic (Bhairava), Shiva was said to have been so handsome that the wives of hermits in the forest almost forgot their marital vows. Their jealous husbands then threw at Shiva, among other things, an axe, a tiger and an antelope, which, as it leapt, Shiva seized and held motionless. So what is the symbolism behind the antelope?
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A coin of the Tanjavur Maratha Kingdom Depicting Siva & Parvathi.
Siva holding antelope on his left hand.
In
Indian art, animals often act as metaphors. In the epic Ramayana, the golden
antelope that appears before Sita represents illusion. As an attribute in
Shiva’s hand, the antelope may have the same meaning. After all, Shiva is seen
as the god who removes the veil of illusion for his devotees. In the RgVeda
myth of Rudra, Prajapati (Lord of Generation and predecessor of Brahma) took on
the form of an antelope and approached his daughter, Usas, whom he desired.
Since their act was against the order of nature, an archer aimed his arrow at Prajapati
who in fear exclaimed, “I make you Lord of the Animals. Leave me.” The archer,
named Rudra, who in Brahminical Hinduism becomes Shiva, then gains lordship
over the animals. Shiva’s epithet, Pasupati, literally means ‘Lord of Animals’
and his holding on to the antelope, an animal signifying untamed nature because
of its speed, shows his power and control over nature and natural forces.
Shiva’s
antelope may also have come from the older Indus Valley tradition where the
antelope was the master of the animal kingdom, denoting sovereignty over
nature. In South Indian art, the antelope, which was considered a very powerful
animal, represents all animals, including humans, whose god is Shiva. Other
stories point to how the antelope represents Shiva’s mastery over the restless springing
about of the human mind, since the animal is constantly leaping around. In
Shiva’s hands, it becomes still, tamed; nature is kept in control.
