Shiva Beyond the Myth

This artwork presents Shiva not as the tranquil ascetic of later iconography, but as the unbound masculine principle, the living current of cosmic awareness. Painted in 19th-century Rajasthan, it belongs to a visual tradition that sought to map the human and divine body as one sacred continuum.

The central figure of Shiva, multi-faced and serene, is both form and field, body and universe. Around him, smaller figures enact symbolic rituals that reflect the flow of life, death, and rebirth. Each detail-eyes, serpents, and geometries-represents facets of awakened perception.

Symbolism of Sacred Polarity

Every element in this composition reveals a Tantric truth. The multiple phallic yantras, serpentine energies, and mirrored figures are not depictions of sensuality but expressions of sacred polarity. They illustrate the eternal interplay between energy (Shakti) and consciousness (Shiva), between motion and stillness.

The cycle of creation and dissolution is portrayed through male and female forms, sun and moon motifs, and serpent imagery symbolizing kundalini energy rising through the subtle channels of awareness. The overlapping figures and multi-faced heads emphasize the omniscient gaze of consciousness that sees unity in all duality.

Raw Vision, Not Sanitized Spirituality

Unlike many modern reinterpretations of Tantra, this painting does not hide behind symbolism. It displays the sacred in its original, raw expression. Every explicit symbol here-lingam, yoni, third eye, and fluid energy-is an invocation of truth rather than a suggestion of taboo.

In the authentic Tantric understanding, the body is not a barrier to realization but the very instrument of it. This artwork communicates that principle through a direct and fearless visual language.

A Legacy from the Seward Kennedy Collection

Once part of the legendary Seward Kennedy Collection, known for its unparalleled assemblage of esoteric and erotic art, this piece has been preserved and restored for contemporary viewers. It carries the gravity of centuries-old wisdom and the authenticity of an artist who painted not for ornament but for awakening.

Now faithfully reproduced by The Soma Store, this work bridges ancient insight and modern aesthetics, offering an artifact that speaks across time and culture.

Why You’ll Love It

Tantric Shiva: The Cosmic Masculine Unbound is not just art for the walls-it is an initiatory vision. It invites you to see the divine as both immanent and infinite. It reminds the viewer that creation, destruction, and transformation are not separate acts but a single ongoing breath of existence.

For those walking the mystical or contemplative path, this artwork acts as a mirror. It reveals how consciousness itself moves through every polarity, every form, every shadow.

Museum-Grade A3 Reprint

Printed on 350 GSM archival matte paper, this A3 poster (11.7 × 16.5 in) preserves the texture, tone, and detail of the original 19th-century painting. The color palette, rich in ochre, indigo, and gold, has been restored to maintain the power of the original pigment and depth.

Perfect for sacred spaces, meditation studios, or collections that celebrate the unfiltered power of spiritual art.

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A revelation of divine polarity, timeless energy, and consciousness in its most liberated form.