Depiction of Hindu gods in nude

Prakash M Apte
Vedic scriptures that are the fountain head of Sanatan Dharma refer
to only three gods, Brahma the Creator, Vushnu the Preserver and
Mahesha the Destroyer. All other icons like Rama, Krishna, Bhairava
and others are Avatars or human forms of these gods but NOT
GODS.
In recent times many painters and artist have faced heat for painting
nude Shiva and other Hindu deities. Many of them have claimed and
have been supported in such claims by so called Scholars that Shiva,
for example, is depicted in nude every day in the form of Shivalinga
or in his Avatar as Bhairava.
As a student of Indian Architecture & allied arts for the last 54 years, I
have never ever come across nude depiction of the gods (Brahmathe creator, Vishnu-the preserver, and Mahesha-the destroyer) in
Indian or Hindu mythology. The Scholars of Indian iconography need
to dispel, once for all the myth and mischief, particularly of the visual
artists (Hussain, Das, J.Choudhary, Atul Dodiya et al) that Hindu gods
have been represented in nude in our ancient sculptures. The nude
depictions that these Painters perhaps allude to, are in fact those of
Gandharva, Kinnara or Apsara (celestial actors of performing arts) or
Yaksha a human creation of Brahma. To say that, because the
Shiva Linga (male sexual organ) has been historically openly
displayed, it amounts to Shivas depiction in nude, is to expose ones
abysmal ignorance and arrogance. Artists must have liberty of
expression but liberty should not become a license to libel.
In this context Let me dispel the myth of Shivalinga. The expression
does not mean linga (sexual organ) OF Shiva. The word Shiva in
Sanskrit means sacred or pure (Pavitra). The Linga partially
penetrated into Yoni (female sexual organ) is a depiction of the force
(Shakti) that sustains this world by procreation. It has no connection
whatsoever with Shiva who is the god of destruction and not of
creation. This Icon was venerated by the followers of Shakta Panth
and not by the worshippers of Shiva. While the vandalism indulged
into by common people at the obscene depiction of their deities
however deplorable, is at least understandable, the wanton obscene

depiction by the Artists certainly raises doubts about their real

intentions.
Many so called scholars have referred to Purana to substantiate
their claims that Shiva has been depicted in nude in Indian
iconography. Perhaps these scholars are not aware that Puranas fall
into the category of Hindu scripture known as Smrti (recollected
tradition) and vary from place to place and from time to time. They
are usually written in Sanskrit and normally tell of the genealogies of
gods, kings, and saints, and contain assorted narratives, stories, and
legends. Legends cannot be quoted as authentic evidence.
The three main Hindu deities, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh are
never ever depicted naked, displaying their genitalia, in any Indian or
Hindu iconography. The photographs referred to by such scholars in
support of their contention are those of Bhairava or Bhikshantana,
a human incarnation of lord Shiva and not of god Shiva. The form of
Bhairava is considered to be fierce, one that infuses more fear than
love towards Lord Shiva. Bhairava is known to be a naked mendicant
or follows the same iconographic appearance as Bhikshatana where
he is depicted ash smeared and naked. Lord Shiva descended to the
earth in the form of Bhairava.
If in the eyes of such scholars vandalism of some Hindus against
such depiction is reprehensible, no less reprehensible are the
attempts of the so called scholars to misrepresent and misguide the
people through a gullible or publicity crazy print media into making
them believe that the Hindu gods were traditionally depicted in nude!