AGNI AND HIS BRIDE SVAHA
Central India, 12th century
Sandstone, 68 by 33 cm

Offers are made to the gods during rites through the figure of Agni, the god of fire, also known as “the Ancient”: his beard emphasises his great age. In his right hand he holds the long sacrificial spoon used to pour the oblations into the flames, whilst his left holds the breast of his bride Svaha, oblation personified. The goddess holds the libation jug. The two gods’ dance seams to be the tribhanga’s posture, the three-bending position so typical of the Indian sculpture.