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Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00009 Sep 2002

 
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> In comparison to their Biblical counterparts elsewhere in the world,
> the temple-walls in India do not have such masterpieces written or
> painted upon them. But when it comes to wall-sculpture, carvings or
> engravings, Indian temples have some of the world's best on their
> walls and pillars. The corridors and halls of temples like
> Rameshwaram, or those in Tanjore, Sri Villiputtur, Konarak or
> Kanchipuram are simply breath-taking. The ancient temple-builders of
> India obviously didn't stop at merely writing (or painting) on walls;
> they made stone-walls actually speak!

In this context, I would like to refer the readers to the work of Dr.Dennis
Hudson of Smith College, USA who has done extensive research on the
allegoric significane of the sculptures found on the gopurams of south
indian temples. During the times of yore, each architectural style was the
signature of the kingdoms which exsisted during those times.

For example, I quote from the article: "According to Prof. Hudson, the
temple reveals a visual theology, the doctrine of the `four formations'
(chatur-vyuha) and the vimana as three-dimensional Mandala and its divisions
into exoteric and esoteric dimensions. He identifies the central figure in
the sanctum of the ground floor as Vasudeva facing west, i.e. the Earth,
Sankarshana facing north, the realm of human life, Pradyumna facing east
towards heaven and Aniruddha facing south, the realm of ancestors. The
sculptural scheme matches the Pancharatra concept, representing the six
`glorious excellences' and the 12 murthis (dwadasa-namas). The six
excellences are: the omniscient knowledge (jnana), power (bala), sovereignty
(aishwarya), action (virya), brilliance (tejas) and potency (sakthi). The
sanctum of the third floor represents the realm of space-time, depicting
Vasudeva as he appeared in the human form of Krishna. The temple per se
signifies the `body of God."

Each sculpture on the temple wall communicates a universal message. I thank
Sri.Sadagopan Iyengar and Sri.Sudharshan Mama for bringing out this topic. I
hope readers will try to understand the esoteric meanings behind the
sculptures whose voice unfortunately has fallen to deaf ears today! (So the
saying goes that the Walls can talk..........in this sense EDUCATE AS
WELL!!!)

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/04/15/stories/2002041500130300.ht
m

Regards,

Adiyen ramanuja dasan,

Malolan Cadambi








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