Shiva and the Four Rishis, Vakyana Dakshinamurti, India.

• Shiva surrounded by four Rishis, South India, copper alloy, 17th/18th century.
• Two notches at the back indicate the position of the fig tree, which has now disappeared.
• Provenance: Claude de Marteau.
• H 7.3 cm x W 5cm x D 3.5 cm
• Sold with certificate of origin

The four Rishi who surround Shiva are often identified as the great sages (Maharishi) of particular importance in Hinduism. They are generally Vasishtha, Vishvamitra, Agastya and Bharadwaja. They represent wisdom and knowledge, and are associated with various spiritual traditions and teachings.

Vyakhyana Dakshinamurti refers to a specific form of Shiva, Dakshinamurti, who is the god of knowledge and teaching, represented in Hindu tradition as the supreme teacher who teaches through silence. “Vyakhyana” means “explanation” or “commentary”, and in this context refers to the silent teachings of Dakshinamurti, who transmits wisdom and ultimate understanding without words. As Dakshinamurti, Shiva is often depicted seated under a banyan fig tree, teaching the Rishi sages surrounding him.