Volume 23 (2016), Issue 2
Oešo and Śiva: Interconnected Natures and Iconographies
by Doris Meth Srinivasan
ISSN 1084-7561 http://dx.doi.org/10.11588/ejvs.2016.2.1227 63
"Oešo and ivĀ: Interconnected Natures and Iconographies”
Doris Meth Srinivasan; Research Professor; State University of New York - Stony Brook
ABSTRACT
This paper brings together studies published over the last fifteen years which clarify aspects of the so-called Oešo/ ivĀ problem. Essentially, the problem revolves around the identification of the figure on Kuṣ ṇa coins and seĀls which hĀs some ‘ ivĀ’ mĀrkers āut is inscriāed ‘Oešo’. The prevailing opinion that the figure is ivĀ cannot be maintained in light of the information from the recent findings, discussed below, in the following sequence: I. 1. A brief comparison of Kuṣ ṇa aiva images in Mathura and GĀndh rĀ indicates basic regional differences, thus laying the ground that GĀndh rĀ incorporated outside, non- Indian iconographic elements to fashion its aiva forms. 2. The Northern aiva images have more in common with Kuṣ ṇa coins and seals than with Mathura aiva icons. It is these coins and seals thĀt cĀrrĪ the ‘Oešo’ inscription. 3. Itemization of the new, recent studies on the subject. 4. Descriptions and analyses of recently published seals, ending with the observation that iconographic ambiguity exists on the Oešo coins and seals inscribed ‘Oešo’. II. The ambiguity prompts an assessment of those iconographic features ‘Oešo ‘seĀls and coins share with Mathura ‘ ivĀ ‘ images. The conclusion of the comparison is that an image labeled ‘Oešo’ is ‘Oešo’ Ānd not the god ‘ ivĀ’.
EJVS 26,2 (2016) 63- 131) (ISSN 1084-7561)
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III. Investigation into the nature of Oešo follows: 1. Who is Oešo? 2. Is there a connection between Oešo’s AvestĀn forerunner Ānd Ā Vedic god? There is and it is based on the bi-polar nature of each 3. Terminology and iconography which focuses on Oešo’s benevolent side. Discussion on the symbolism of the raised liṅga. 4. The need of the Zoroastrian religion, when formulating divine imagery, to borrow an iconographic language so that the imagery is understood in the regions where the coins and seals circulate. The adopted iconography incorporates, for the most part, multivalent symbolism. IV. Post-Kuṣ ṇa imagery conflates elements from both deities when representing Oešo in Northern areas of Central Asia and China, and when depicting ivĀ in the Southern areas in the subcontinent. V. Overall conclusions.
I. 1. A brief survey of Kuṣ ṇa aiva images in Mathura and GĀndh rĀ
For over fifteen ĪeĀrs I’ve hĀd ivĀ on my mind. What I have found so puzzling is the great discrepancy between the way ivĀ is represented in Mathura and GĀndh ra during the same timeframe. Mathura was the cradle for creating acceptable representations of Brahmanic, that is, early Hindu deities. ivĀ is a Hindu deity. He stems out of the earlier Vedic/Brahmanic religious tradition1. In Mathura this tradition is reflected in the threefold typologies associated with ivĀ’s icons. GĀndh ran art does not reflect this religious tradition. ivĀ has numerous features in GĀndh ran art that cannot be explained by recourse to the major religious traditions originating in the subcontinent, although his features in GĀndh ran art are often - and surprisingly - not at odds with symbolism found in these religions. I have often wondered why GĀndh ran images of ivĀ are so atypical. They are, as Ā group different from MĀthurĀ ivĀ images. And they tend to be, 65
individually, quite distinct from each other. Corroborating my impression is CĀllieri’s finding āĀsed on his studĪ of Northwestern seals and sealings. He calls the ivĀ seĀls “the least homogeneous “of all the seal sub-groups in the
Northwest.” 2