Topic: Bhairava Raga

[Nichi]

Surprising!

[Nichi]

In this nocturnal scene the god Shiva and his consort Parvati are seen in the role of courtly lovers, embracing on a bed set on a moonlit courtyard terrace before a temple-like pavilion. Taking his wife on his lap, Shiva moves to kiss her cheek, as described in the Braj verses in his praise above. As befits Shiva the yogi and ascetic figure, his seat is a tiger-skin, symbolising the conquest of the animal passions. Wearing a cobra and with the river Ganges flowing from his hair, Shiva holds the hand-drum with which he beats out the rhythms of existence and time. In the last line of the verse there is a play on the words raga bhairava, meaning ‘the passion of Shiva’ or the musical mode Bhairava. ~Ashmolean Jameel Center for Islamic and Asian Art

[Nichi]

Bhairava Raga: Lord Krishna enthroned and adored, Deccan, Aurangabad or Rajasthan, Mewar, c.1650.

(Best view in attachment: click and enlarge.)

[Nichi]

Bhairava Raga, Page from a Ragamala Series, c. 1670-1680.
Shiva seated in palace, attended by handmaidens Folio from a dispersed Ragamala series Shiva in his terrifying from, Bhairava, is seated under an elephant hide canopy, attended by two women. He holds a vina in his right hand and raises his left in some gesture. His hair is piled in a high chignon and his skin is darkened with ashes, denoting his ascetic status. A night scene, the raga is situated in an ornamented pavilion with a small pool in the foreground. A peacock stands on the roof. ~Brooklyn Museum

[Nichi]

Bhairava Raga, depicting Bhairava riding upon a bull. Kulu, India. Date ca. 1700 - ca. 1710.

(Best view in attachment: click and enlarge.)

[Nichi]

Bhairava Raga: a consort sits on a throne with the blue-skinned Bhairava who carries a vina and rubs sandal paste into his shoulder. Behind them, maids hold a fan and a fly whisk while a third in the foreground grinds sandal paste on a round stone. On the ground are a number of birds in cages, a large candle and a low table baring ornamental vessels. The god Chandra can be seen flying his chariot across the face of the moon. Late 18th century.

Be sure to click and enlarge the attachment: the image of Chandra flying against the moon is sweet.

[Nichi]

Bhairava Raga, "the Terrible" in Sanskrit, under the paint: "bahiron". Rajput, Provincial Mughal, 18th century. A crown prince, with blue skin and wearing the Vaishnava emblem on his forehead, sitting on a bed. A woman anoints his torso w/ sandal paste.. A servant girl waving a fan, the other a fan "peacock tail"; preparing a third of the sandalwood paste on a round board. The name "Bhairava" recalls the terrible aspect of the god Shiva, but the prince resembles Krishna/Vishnu.

"The fragrant sandalwood paste is offered as a tribute to guests commonly in India, honoring the deities in temples. generally prepared as a paste by rubbing a piece of sandalwood on a previously wet rough stone." ~Bibliotheque de France