Kaumodaki
Kaumodaki (
The name, 'Kaumodak' first appears in the
Though the weapon may be depicted as an inanimate gada, Kaumodaki sometimes appears personified as a woman known as Gadadevi or Gadanari in sculptures of Vishnu. In depictions that use this version, Vishnu rests one of his hands on her head, while she herself holds the gada, is seen emerging from it or has the gada carved on her head/crown.
The gada, regarded as one of the oldest and strongest weapons, is a symbol of Vishnu's shakti. Various texts discuss the symbolism of Kaumodaki in Vishnu's iconography.
Etymology
The etymology of, 'Kaumodaki' is unclear. According to a popular etymology, Kaumodaki derives its name from the Sanskrit word kumuda, the blue water-lily or the blue lotus (Nymphaea nouchali).[3][4] Another theory suggests that the mace may derive its name from the epithet of Vishnu, Kumodaka or vice versa. The literal synonym of Kaumodaki, kaumudi is interpreted as "joy on the earth".[4] Based on the Vishnu Purana, Alain Daniélou translates Kaumodaki as "stupefier of the mind".[5]
Iconography
Vishnu is usually depicted as
The gada appears as an attribute in the oldest known sculpture of Vishnu (from Malhar, Chhattisgarh), dated to c. 200 BCE.[3] One of the earliest images of Vishnu date to the Kushan period (30–375 CE) found around Mathura, the gada does not appear in a stylised design as in later depictions, but the mace is a simple "round top-heavy rod" held in his upper (back) right hand and lifted above the shoulders.[7] In another Kushan sculpture, the gada is depicted as a long rod which is almost the height of Vishnu and is held in his upper right hand. It is depicted similar to a long pestle (musala).[8] A similar image found in Jhusi as well as early images from Western India depict Vishnu resting his upper right hand on the mace or holding the mace in this hand.[7] Gupta images continue the trend of having upper (back) right hand resting on or holding the gada.[9] The gada started being depicted in other arms. Twenty-four configurations of Vishnu images are noted, where the order of the four attributes is changed.[10]
While the hand holding the gada changed, the design of the weapon transformed too. In late medieval art, especially
The Vishnudharmottara Purana describes the iconography of Vishnu. While the lotus and shankha are held in the upper hands, the lower hands rest on two dwarf figures: the personified gada and chakra. The gada personified as a slim-waisted woman, holds a fly-whisk (chamara or chowry) in her hands and is adorned with ornaments, with Vishnu's right hand resting on her head; chakra stands as a man on Vishnu's left.[11][12] The personified weapons known as Ayudhapurusha emerge in Gupta era (320–550 CE) sculptures. The personified Kaumodaki is also known as Gada-Devi (the suffix devi means goddess) or Gada-nari ("gada-woman"). Since the Sanskrit word gada is feminine, gada is regarded as a woman.[13] A Gupta Vishnu in Udayagiri Caves depicts Vishnu accompanied by Gadadevi and the personified chakra.[9] Gadadevi often appears in Vishnu images from Kashmir, including Vishnu's four-headed form Vaikuntha Chaturmurti. She holds a chamara and looks in adoration towards her master, whose hand rests on her head. She wears a crown or has an elaborate hairstyle. Apart from a lower garment, she might wear a blouse or have a bare torso. She is depicted emerging from the gada.[13]
Gadadevi may be depicted as a dwarf or as a normal human as in the Sheshashayi Vishnu panel of the Gupta
Development and symbolism
The mace or club is one of the oldest types of weapons.
In the philosophical meaning expounded by the Vishnu-worshipping
According to the Vishnudharmottara Purana, Kaumodaki represents Vishnu's wife Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty.[13] The Krishna Upanishad equates the gada to the goddess Kali, "the power of time". The text further says that like the invincible Time, the mace is the destroyer of all opponents.[3][5]
Another interpretation suggests that the Kaumodaki symbolizes the life-force (
Literature
In the Mahabharata, Kaumodaki is described to sound like the lightning and was capable of slaying many
The Mahabharata describes Vishnu holding a gada and a chakra, possibly indicating two-armed images of Vishnu.
The Duta-Vakya ("envoy's message") of the Sanskrit playwright
In the Garuda Purana, the Kaumodaki is mentioned in the Vishnu Panjaram:[25]
Take up thy club Kaumodaki, O lotus-navelled deity, salutation unto thee.
— Garuda Purana, Chapter 13
Notes
- ISBN 978-81-8495-366-4.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2015-08-01). "Kaumodaki, Kaumodakī: 12 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-14-306762-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-208-1087-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-59477-733-2.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7020-894-5.
- ^ a b Desai p. 8
- ^ a b Sivaramamurti p. 135
- ^ a b Desai p. 9
- ^ Desai pp. 10–14
- ^ Rao pp. 289–90
- ^ Desai pp. 6–7
- ^ ISBN 978-0-520-06477-5.
- ^ C. Sivaramamurti pp. 128–9
- ^ a b Anna L. Dallapiccola, ayudhapurusha or shastradevata. (2002). In Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend, Thames & Hudson.
- ^ a b Rao pp. 288–9
- ^ a b C. Sivaramamurti pp. 130–1
- ^ Desai p. 6
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7625-039-9.
- ISBN 978-93-80658-68-1.
- ISBN 978-0-8426-0822-0.
- ^ Desai p. 7
- ^ ISBN 81-7017-430-9.
- ISBN 978-1-136-11842-5.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2015-04-12). "The prayer of Vishnu Panjaram [Chapter XIII]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
References
- Dr. Kalpana Desai (31 December 2013). Iconography of Visnu. Abhinav Publications. GGKEY:GSELHU3JH6D.
- Rao, T. A. Gopinatha (1914). Elements of Hindu iconography. Vol. 1: Part I. Madras: Law Printing House.
- JSTOR 3248789.