{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O25164"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O25164/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT8559/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT8559/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AT8559","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019MD3616","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O25164/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O25164","accessionNumber":"938(IS)","objectType":"Relief panel","titles":[{"title":"King Narasimha and his spiritual advisor","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This is a portrait sculpture of King Narasimha I, ruler of Odisha , formerly Orissa, and surrounding regions (1238-64). Here he is receiving spiritual council from his Vaishnava priest, probably the Brahmana Acharyaraja.\r\nThe composition is hieratic, with the king represented smaller than his priest to reflect the relationship of pupil to teacher (<i>achariya </i>or guru). The priest is of high status. He wears fine rings and sits cross-legged as he expounds. \r\nThe bearded king is simply dressed, stripped of all royal symbols. He is seated in a yogic posture, with his sword placed on the ground, holding a palm-leaf manuscript which is emblematic of divine knowledge. He is accompanied by two male figures (perhaps his sons?). In the register below four members of the royal guard wait, casually leaning on their shields, decorated with Vishnu’s conch.\r\nThis scene of royal instruction is set against the backdrop of a temple. It is very probably the shrine of Purusottama-Jagannatha (Vishnu as the supreme god), the tutelary deity of the king’s household, at Puri. The Eastern Ganga dynasty closely identified their rulers with Vishnu. They adopted  the title' Narasimha' after Vishnu’s 'man-lion' form and claimed descent from Vishnu himself, acting as his agent on earth. Under this system, even the king must defer to priestly intermediaries if he is to enjoy the benefits of divine power and favour.\r\nThis relief is one of a series depicting aspects of royal Vaishnava worship in Odisha and is associated with the Sun Temple at Konarak. Narasimha I was the patron of this mighty temple dedicated to Surya, and this series originally decorated the temple’s walls. A source contemporary with this relief suggests that the artist was the eminent sculptor, Visvanatha Mahapatra.","physicalDescription":"In this Konarak sculpture Narasimha is depicted with his guru, probably the yogi Acharyraja.  As king, Narasimha, named after the 'man-lion' incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, ruled Odisha and neighbouring regions of eastern India from 1238 to 1264. He held political control over the region in which the Sun temple was constructed and was the actual patron of the temple, yet he is shown as smaller than his guru.  The guru sits cross-legged, with one arm raised in a gesture of explanation.  The bearded king, seated in the centre of the sculpture, is stripped of all royal symbols.  His sword lies on the ground in front of him.  Instead of a weapon he holds a palm-leaf manuscript, the original medium for transcribing sacred texts in India.  Beside the king are two attendants: one sits reading a palm-leaf manuscript; the other stands with his hands joined together in a demonstration of reverance.  On the lower register, on a smaller scale, four warriors stand with shields and weapons.  The message is clear here at the temple even the king must defer to the status of priestly intermediaries if he is to partake of the benefits of divine power and favour.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Carboniferous shale","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Hinduism","id":"THES48941"},{"text":"India Museum","id":"THES286062"}],"styles":[{"text":"Eastern Ganga","id":"x32305"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006AT8559","2019MD3616"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"47B (VA)","id":"THES49796"},"free":"","case":"EXP","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Relief","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Konarak","id":"x34789"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2nd quarter of 13th century","earliest":"1225-01-01","latest":"1250-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"78.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"14/03/2025","earliest":"2025-03-14","latest":"2025-03-14"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"41.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"14/03/2025","earliest":"2025-03-14","latest":"2025-03-14"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"25","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"14/03/2025","earliest":"2025-03-14","latest":"2025-03-14"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"108","unit":"kg","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"27/10/2007","earliest":"2007-10-27","latest":"2007-10-27"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"80.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Height including modern mount","date":{"text":"14/03/2025","earliest":"2025-03-14","latest":"2025-03-14"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"42","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Width including modern mount","date":{"text":"14/03/2025","earliest":"2025-03-14","latest":"2025-03-14"},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"This scene represents Narasimha I (1238-64), the builder of the Sun Temple at Konarak, receiving spiritual council from his Vaishnavite priest.  The king is represented smaller than his priest, reflecting the relationship of pupil to teacher (guru).  He holds a palm-leaf manuscript in his hand, his sword resting beside him, a reminder of his temporal powers. Warriors on the lower register have their shields decorated with Vishnu's conch.","briefDescription":"King Narasimha and his Spiritual Advisor, shale, Odisha, India, 13th century","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"E.B.Havell,  <u>Eleven plates representing works of Indian Sculpture, Chiefly in English collections</u>, London, India Society, 1911, pl. III.\nGuy, John, <u>Indian Temple Sculpture</u>, London, V&amp;A Publications, 2007, p.75, pl.84\n<u>India: The Art of the Temple, Shanghai Museum exhibition</u>, Shanghai, 2010, cat. no. 2:30"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"A.K.Coomaraswarmy,  Visva Karma, 1914, pl. 72A"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"O.M. Starza-Majewski, 'King Narasimha I before his Spiritual Preceptor', Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1971, pp.134-8."},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Donaldson, T.E. Hindu Temple Art of Orissa, 3 vols, Leiden and New York, 1985-7, ISBN 9004071733, 9004071741, 9004071768, 9004071776, vol.II p.613, vol.III, pp.1170-1174 and fig.4218."},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Donaldson, T.E. 'Ganga Monarch and a Monumental Sun Temple' in Dehejia,V.(ed.), Royal Patrons and Great Temple Art, Bombay, 1988, ISBN 8185026025, pp.125-143."},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Brand, M. The Vision of Kings,  Art and Experience in India, Canberra, National Gallery of Australia, 1995,  ISBN 0500974381, pp.8-11."},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Guy, John: 'Indian Temple Sculpture', London V & A Publication, 2007, p.75. pl.84.\r\nISBN 971851775095"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Guy, John (ed.). ‘L’Escultura en els Temples Indis: L’Art de la Devocio’, Barcelona : Fundacio ‘La Caixa’, 2007. p.116 cat. no.78\r\nISBN 9788476649466"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Willis, M. (ed.). India: the Art of the Temple. Shanghai : Shanghai Museum, 2010. 254p, ill. ISBN 978-7-5479-0092-5. Cat. 2:30, pp. 164-5."},{"reference":{"text":"In the image of man : the Indian perception of the universe through 2000 years of painting and sculpture : [exhibition / organized by Catherine Lampert assisted by Rosalie Cass]. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson :in association with the Arts Council of Great Britain, 1982 Number: 0297780719, 0297781243 (pbk.)","id":"AUTH339940"},"details":"p. 128, cat. no. 111","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"The Indian Portrait: 1560-1860 London: National Portrait Gallery, 2010 Number: 978 1 85514 409 5","id":"AUTH340071"},"details":"p. 20, fig. 2.","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"The art of India and Pakistan, a commemorative catalogue of the exhibition held at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1947-8. Edited by Sir Leigh Ashton. London: Faber and Faber, [1950]","id":"AUTH343744"},"details":"p. 61, cat. no. 175","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"The art of India and Pakistan, a commemorative catalogue of the exhibition held at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1947-8. Edited by Sir Leigh Ashton. London: Faber and Faber, [1950]","id":"AUTH343744"},"details":"p. 61, cat. no. 278","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Irwin, John C., Indian Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1968","id":"AUTH348144"},"details":"pl. 23","free":""}],"production":"Odisha, (formerly Orissa) eastern India (attributed to sculptor Visvanatha Mahapatra)","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Hinduism","id":"AAT73727"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"King Narasimhadeva and His Spiritual Advisor\r\n\r\nAbout 1240–60 \r\nEastern Ganga period \r\n\r\nNarasimhadeva I (1238–64) was the builder of the famous \r\nSun Temple at Konarak. Rulers of the Eastern Ganga \r\ndynasty claimed descent from Vishnu himself and acted \r\nas his agent on earth.To enjoy the benefits of this divine \r\npower, they had to defer to priestly intermediaries. Here \r\nNarasimhadeva has laid down his sword and is shown \r\nsmaller than his teacher (guru). \r\n\r\nCarboniferous shale \r\nEastern India (Orissa)\r\nFrom the Sun Temple, Konarak\r\nPossibly made by Vishvanatha Mahapatra \r\n\r\nMuseum no. 938(IS) \r\n\r\n","date":{"text":"06/06/2011","earliest":"2011-06-06","latest":"2011-06-06"}},{"text":"KING NARASIMHADEVA AND HIS SPIRITUAL ADVISOR\r\nCarboniferous shale\r\nThe Sun temple, Konarak, Orissa\r\nEastern India\r\nEastern Ganga period\r\n13th century\r\n\r\nThis scene represents Narasimha I (1238-64), the builder of the famous Sun Temple at Konarak, receiving spiritual council from his Vaisnavite priest.  The king is represented smaller than his priest, reflecting the relationship of pupil to teacher (guru).  He holds a palm-leaf manuscript in his hand, his sword resting beside him, a reminder of his temporal powers. Warriors on the lower register have their shields decorated with Visnu's conch.\r\n\r\n938(IS)","date":{"text":"1988","earliest":"1988-01-01","latest":"1988-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["938(IS)"],"accessionNumberNum":"938","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":null,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP3757","2019LU9654","2019LT9580","2019LW9551"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-03-08","recordCreationDate":"2000-02-14","availableToBook":false}}