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This Tridev monolithic stone sculpture displayed in the State Museum of Bhopal is actually three deities carved on a single stele with their bodies and motifs. This sculpture belongs to the Kalchuri’s era as it was sculpted in 10th Century AD and it was discovered from Mankhedi, Jabalpur.
Brahma is on the right with his four bearded faces, Vishnu in the middle with his four arms and Shiva on the left with a serpent wrapped around his neck. Brahma who is illustrated with Kirti Mukuta on all heads, wearing royal clothing and adorned with jewellery including a long garland, he is wearing Khadaon in his feet. He is holding Kamandal in the left hand and rosary in the right hand. Vishnu is holding Conch and Sudarshan Chakra in the left hands and right is holding a club or mace while other palm is facing outward. His head is adorned with his specific Kirti Mukuta, wearing a royal dress and ornamented with heavy jewellery including a long flower garland hanging from his chest. Vishnu is most worshipped deity as close to his legs female attendents and devotees are illustrated. Shiva is depicted in his customary dress and wearing traditional jewellery. Cobra’s hood is on his left shoulder and right hand is damaged. All the three deities means Tri Murthy are depicted with halos or Nimbuses at the back of their heads. On the base of the stele many females are depicted and on top depicted with garlands.
Complete iconography is accomplished according to Hindu religion, mentioned in the Shilpa Shastra, the 5th-6th century texts Brahmiya Chitra Karma Shastram, Rupamandana and Vishnudharmottara Purana are prominent.
Hinduism is a major religion of the subcontinent, and includes many diverse systems of philosophy, belief and ritual.
The origin of the Tridev is attributed to ancient Indian sages who conceived the idea as they were in harmony with the divine nature.
Though there is no evidence of Trimurti in Vedic period of Hinduism, it is proved by the poem Kumar Sambhav written by the great poet Kalidas who was a court poet in the court of Chandragupta II, in the 4th-5th century AD.
