THE RITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SCULPTURE
More than any other artistic form we find sculptural depictions of the
sphinx-purushamriga among the art of the Indian temples.
The large majority of temples have at least one and often more
purushamriga sculpture in their sculptural program. Of all the temples surveyed
during my field-work at least two-thirds have sculptural depictions
of this sphinx.
The others had undergone extensive renovations in the recent past.
It is my conclusion that in recent centuries the awareness of the
purushamriga has been diminishing, for unknown reasons.
The nature of the purushamriga as a lion with a human face
was possibly forgotten and when
ancient sculpture was replaced, the purushamriga was no longer included in
the sculptural program.
In three temples I have found the living tradition of the purushamriga as
a Mythologyological being that removes sin and purifies those who enter the temple
and worship it. This is the case in the Shri Shiva Nataraja temple in
Chidambaram; in the Shri Kalahasteshvara temple in Kalahasti, and in the Shiva temple in
Tiruvatavur.
That this tradition was once omnipresent and generally and universally
known becomes obvious when one surveys and studies the presence of the
sculptural representations in the temples of the south. To begin with sculptural
representations of the sphinx-purushamriga are found on the entrances to temples,
especially on the temple gateways or gopurams.
Sometimes on the inner or outer facade, but also often
among the decorations in the passage way. Next immediately one can find
purushamriga sculptures placed near the entrance of the central shrine,
sometimes on a nearby pillar, sometimes on the door-frame itself.
Mandapas or halls used for the
celebration of certain festival rituals have often also a purushamriga among
the decorative sculpture. Occasionally a purushamriga is placed near the
flight of steps leading down to the temple pond, which is also a place where
rituals are performed.
It can be concluded that till just a few centuries ago it was a ubiquitous
tradition to place sphinxes or purushamriga in the form of sculpture at ritually
significant places throughout the temple grounds. And that it was placed and
situated with respect to its ritual function with regards to purification and the
removing of sins.
