Madan-Bhasma (Shiva Turns to Ashes)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Like the uncolored version of this print entitled “The Oriental Cupid in Flames” this work emphasizes Shiva’s role as a forest dwelling renunciate. Moreover, it references his retreat to the forest in sorrow following the death of his wife Sati. As the world was in danger of unraveling without Shiva’s guidance, the gods chose Parvati to attend him. Kama, the god of love and desire, fired an arrow at Shiva in an attempt to make him notice Parvati (seen kneeling to the right). This angered Shiva who was deep in meditation and he opened his third eye and reduced Kama to ashes— the dramatic moment illustrated here. Ultimately, Shiva realizes that Parvati is an incarnation of Sati and order is restored, and in this sense Kama succeeds.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art