212
Shiva
8th‐9th century
Excavated from citadel of Kalai-Kakhkakha, Bundzikat,
Leninabad, Tajikistan
Size painting on loessed stucco
H. 59.0 cm W. 55.0 cm
National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
213
Demon
8th‐9th century
Excavated from citadel of Kalai-Kakhkakha, Bundzikat,
Leninabad, Tajikistan
Size painting on loessed stucco
H. 41.0 cm, W. 24.0 cm
National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
Cat. No. 212 shows a three-faced and four-armed god facing diagonally front. The figure is shown with a crown, earrings, and a superbly decorative armor as he stands with arrow cocked in his bow aimed a demon and with spear. This is probably an image of Veshparkar-Shiva. This god in the Sogdian pantheon is equivalent to the Indian god Shiva. Cat. No. 213 depicts a demon with wild red hair, a third eye in his forehead, skull head decoration, and large open mouth, all creating a fearsome demonic image. Surely Shiva's arrow is aimed at just such a demon. ［see pp. 228-29］
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