A Fourteenth-Fifteenth Century East Indian Black Stone Stele Of The Goddess

An extremely fine and very beautiful fourteenth-fifteenth century carved black stone stele of Varuni, the Hindu goddess of wine, portraying the deity seated in dhyanasana on her caparisoned makara, dressed in a short dhoti, adorned in beaded jewellery and wearing circular earrings, her neatly incised hair is secured by a jewelled tiara while her sensitively carved face, in a serene expression, is defined by her almond-shaped eyes that look downward and full lips forming a calm smile, in one hand she holds a pasha (a noose) aloft and in the other a club or goblet, the figure is backed by attendants who either drink from vessels, hold lotus flowers and rosettes or are in venerable poses, the whole on a thin rectangular plinth with rounded corners
The identity of the Varuni and the dating of the carving has been suggested by Ulrich von Schröder, an expert on Asian art.
Eastern India, date 14th or 15th century
Height: 69 cm, width 50 cm
This rare and very finely carved East Indian stele portrays Varuni, one of the many Hindu deities. The name Varuni refers to multiple goddesses associated with the Hindu god Varuna, firstly as his wife and consort, when she was also known as Varunani, also as his daughter, the goddess of wine and also as the personification of his shakti, who was a mother goddess, known as a matrika. Sometimes, these goddesses are identified as one deity. Varuni’s origins can be traced back to the Vedic period, where she is mentioned in ancient scriptures as the goddess of wine and intoxication. In the Rigveda, one of the oldest texts in Hinduism, Varuni is described as a celestial being who bestows joy and bliss upon those who partake in the sacred drink of soma, a hallucinogenic beverage that was used in Vedic rituals to commune with the gods. Her association with soma underscores her role as a goddess who facilitates spiritual transcendence and communion with the divine.
In later Hindu mythology, Varuni is revered as the consort of Varuna, the god of the oceans and celestial waters. Together, they are believed to preside over the cosmic waters and maintain the order of the universe. Varuni’s association with wine and intoxication is symbolic of her ability to bring joy and liberation to her devotees, reflecting the ancient Indian reverence for the intoxicating properties of wine as a means of attaining spiritual enlightenment.
According to the Puranas, the primary religious texts within Hinduism, Varuni emerged during the Samudra Manthana, the churning of the oceans, and chose Varuna as her consort. Varuna, often considered one of the four great gods, was the god of the seas and celestial waters who can be considered the Vedic equivalent to the Roman god Neptune (known as Poseidon in Greek). Like Neptune, he was usually represented in art as an old man but instead of a trident he is usually shown holding a noose, known as a pasha, and also a club.
Varuni plays a significant role in Hindu rituals and ceremonies, where wine is sometimes used as a sacred offering. Her influence can be seen in various Hindu festivals and rituals that celebrate fertility, abundance, and merriment. One such festival is Holi, also known as the festival of colours, which is dedicated to the worship of deities associated with fertility and springtime. During Holi, devotees partake in communal feasts where wine is consumed as a sacrament, symbolizing the divine grace of Varuni and her ability to bestow joy and ecstasy upon her devotees. Another festival to honour Varuni is Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, which celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. During Diwali, devotees offer wine to Varuni as a symbol of their devotion and seek her blessings for joy, liberation, and spiritual communion. The act of consuming wine in her honour is believed to foster a sense of unity and spiritual communion among the participants, creating an atmosphere of merriment and celebration.
Whilst a number of stone carvings of Varuni are known, they are rare. The present stele compares closely to one dating from the Eastern Ganga dynasty, which is now in the National Museum of New Delhi (accession number 50.179) having originally stood in the Sun Temple Orissa at Konark, Odisha, close to the East Indian coast. As here, her soft eternal smile denotes a sense of compassion and serenity; like her husband, she also holds a noose in one hand to symbolise an ability to catch and hold things. Furthermore, and like here, she sits cross-legged upon her makara, which is a hybrid animal that has the legs of a lion, the tail of a fish and an elephant-like trunk. Such a creature suggests that life is a mystery and though full of contradictions, it is acceptable.
Other similar likenesses of Varuni include a thirteenth century black stone stele from Nepal, recently offered by Galerie Zacke, Vienna as well as one portraying both Varuni and Varuna, made from basalt and dating from the eighth century, which was discovered in Karnataka, in south west India and is now on display at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, (formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India) in Mumbai.