Check out this review of Natesh on Google Maps
https://goo.gl/maps/4XtwcmHWAKMxwBtJ8?g_st=aw
The attractive statue of Natesh displayed in the sculpture gallery of Madhya Pradesh State Museum, Bhopal, attracts the attention of visitors with its beauty and expressions. This statue was obtained from Indragarh Mandsaur and is a work of art of 8th century AD.
The ancient village Indragarh is a historical village of Malwa region located in Mandsaur district of Bhanpura tehsil. This fort was established by Rashtrakuta king of Man branch, who was called the ornament of Rashtrakuta, Raja Nannappa and later it came under the control of Gurjar Pratihara Empire. Who were patrons of art, architecture and literature along with Hinduism, mainly their favorite deity was Vishnu, but were also worshippers of Shiva and Surya.
Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, two main gods of Hindu Trinity, emerged as the main deities of Hinduism after 5th century AD. Lord Shiva is known as Rudra in Vedas and Puranas. Natesh means the god of drama and Shiva’s form of peaceful dance, while as Nataraja he is depicted performing the ‘Tandava’ dance which represents the rhythm of Shiva’s creation, preservation and destruction.
This spectacular monolithic Sculpture carved out of a single sandy brown stone. This sculpture illustrates the sculptural style prevalent during the Gurjara Pratihara period, with a clear expression of aesthetics and rhythm. But here Natesh is depicted in a very peaceful posture as a cosmic dancer. The trident, which symbolizes the three states of mind, and the axe, which symbolizes the ability to penetrate the illusory world, are held in his left and right hands. In the lower hand, he is holding a fire bowl, which symbolizes liberation. The fourth hand is in ‘Abhaya Mudra’. The sculptor has decorated Shiva with beautiful clothes and ornaments, a woman playing an instrument and a devotee praying with folded hands.
The idol of Natesh gives the message of peace, controlling the three states of mind, renouncing worldly desires and striving to attain salvation while staying under divine refuge.