Hindu Chola Dynasty Granite Figure of Agni The Fire God
85000
Chola Dynasty C 1100 - 1130 AD Black Granite Hindu Figure of Agni - God of Fire, extremely rare with the finest carving on His garments and jewelry. Beautiful condition except the loss of his head , size 38" very heavy 150 on the sculpture and 80 pounds on the 1/2" black steel plate base. Agni , ‘fire’; . The god of fire in Hinduism, of great importance, especially in the Vedic period. As sacrifice is at the centre of Vedic religion, Agni is at the centre of sacrifice. As messenger of the gods, Agni is mediator between humankind and the heavenly realm. All offerings must pass through the sacred fire to reach their divine destinations. Agni is the witness of all sacred transactions, the benefactor and protector of people and their homes, and guardian (loka-pāla) of the south-east quadrant of the universe. His three principal forms include not only fire on earth, but also lightning in the atmosphere and the sun in the sky. In a sense Agni personifies all the gods, the power of the divine, immanent in all things. He is understood as the source of knowledge (the Veda), both god of priests and priest of the gods, and potent enemy of darkness. Ever youthful, he bestows life and immortality.
Chola Dynasty C 1100 - 1130 AD Black Granite Hindu Figure of Agni - God of Fire, extremely rare with the finest carving on His garments and jewelry. Beautiful condition except the loss of his head , size 38" very heavy 150 on the sculpture and 80 pounds on the 1/2" black steel plate base. Agni , ‘fire’; . The god of fire in Hinduism, of great importance, especially in the Vedic period. As sacrifice is at the centre of Vedic religion, Agni is at the centre of sacrifice. As messenger of the gods, Agni is mediator between humankind and the heavenly realm. All offerings must pass through the sacred fire to reach their divine destinations. Agni is the witness of all sacred transactions, the benefactor and protector of people and their homes, and guardian (loka-pāla) of the south-east quadrant of the universe. His three principal forms include not only fire on earth, but also lightning in the atmosphere and the sun in the sky. In a sense Agni personifies all the gods, the power of the divine, immanent in all things. He is understood as the source of knowledge (the Veda), both god of priests and priest of the gods, and potent enemy of darkness. Ever youthful, he bestows life and immortality.