Rajarajeshwari-Kameshvari (“Empress of Desire”)

Rajarajeshwari, an avatar of Goddess Parvati, portrayed in a majestic and serene posture. Seated on a throne under an intricately decorated arch, known as a keerthimukutam, which symbolizes her supreme glory and authority, the goddess exudes a commanding presence. The arch is topped with lavish motifs and flanked by elegantly sculpted swans on both sides, which are symbolic of purity and discernment in spiritual texts.

Goddess Rajarajeshwari is adorned with a richly ornamented crown that features a crescent moon, accentuating her connection to cosmic rhythms and fertility. Her four hands are emblematic of her various powers: holding a sugarcane bow, which symbolizes the mind; a noose representing attachment; a goad symbolizing repulsion; and a parrot, which often signifies the Kama or desire. Each of these attributes plays a significant role in the teachings of Tantra, of which Rajarajeshwari is considered a principal deity.

The goddess's posture and the objects she holds are deeply symbolic, reflecting her role in not only controlling but also harmonizing all aspects of the universe. The sugarcane bow and noose suggest her ability to attract and bind her devotees with her love and power, while the goad indicates her guidance leading them towards the right path. The parrot is also indicative of the sacred scriptures and the spoken word, often associated with the transmission of wisdom and teachings.

This sculpture, with its elaborate detail and symbolic richness, offers a visual representation of Goddess Rajarajeshwari's attributes of beauty, fertility, and power, emphasizing her role as a benign yet powerful cosmic mother figure in Hindu mythology.