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There are several books on individual manifestations of Siva such as Natariija, Ardhaniirisvara, Sadasiva and so on. There is no exhaustive study of a fierce form of the Lord Virabhadra. This work fulfils the need. In seven chapters and three appendices the mythology, art and cult of Virabhadra is systematically sketched.
The first chapter deals Prolegomena, second chapter deals exhaustively with most of the Sanskritic puranas and other liturgical works. The speciality is the summary of Tamil ideas from literary sources that scholars in the field usually neglect maybe due to lack of knowledge or oversight. The other chapters deal with the following aspects: third deals with some of the select temples for the Lord in south India and the case study of a clan temple; fourth, Pratimalaksana of Vira and allied deities from silpasastras and agamas; fifth, Vira in early medieval art of the Pandyas, , Pallavas, Calukyas of Badami and Vengi and Rastrakuts; sixth, Vira in later medieval art, particularly Vijayanagara-Nayaka; seventh, Festivities and cult orientation as gleaned from travel accounts and the case study of a clan temple at BoQinayakkaupat1i. The annexures deal with Sarabhamutri Astamukhagandabherunda Nrsimha and Vira in the art of Andhradesa. The bibliography is comprehensive.
The book is richly illustrated with plans of temples and photographic samples of Vira in colour and black & white. The book is a monumental contribution to art historical scholarship. ISBN
9788188934577
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