纪录片《大英博物馆世界简史》 068湿婆与雪山女神像（5）（在线收听）

But in our sculpture, Shiva is not alone. Nestling in his lap, and lovingly encircled by one of his four arms, is his wife Parvati. Both are similarly dressed, with decorated loin cloths, naked torsos, and heavy necklaces and head-dresses. Husband and wife are turned towards each other, and look lovingly into each other's eyes, so engrossed in each other that they're oblivious to their swirling entourage. Their mutual devotion is mirrored by the animals at their feet, Shiva's bull echoing his master's doting gaze, while Parvati's lion smiles bashfully in response. There is such a strong erotic charge in this carving, that you might well imagine that Shiva and Parvati are about to move into a fuller, closer embrace. But no, or at least not yet, for this is a couple who are expecting guests or, more precisely, worshippers. Our sculpture would probably have been at the door of a temple, welcoming families as they approached, and offerings would have been made not just to Shiva but to Parvati, to the pair of them as a divine couple. Here's Shaunaka Rishi Das again:

在雕像中，湿婆并不是单独一人：他的妻子雪山女神坐在他腿上，被他四条臂膀中的一条紧紧楼着。二人的打扮极为相似，都只围着腰带，裸露着躯体，戴着沉重的项链与华丽的头饰。他们面对着面，深情地凝视彼此的眼睛，专注得忘乎一切存在。这份浓情蜜意感染了他们脚下的动物。湿婆的神牛目光如主人一样满溢宠溺，雪山女神的狮子则羞涩地微笑回应。整座雕像透着强烈的情色氛围，让人觉得下一秒钟他们便会紧紧相拥。当然，事实上并不会，至少暂时不会，因为他们正等待着来客，或者更准确地说，是等待着信徒的到访。这座雕像原本应被置于神庙的门楣之上，用以欢迎来访的家庭。供品不仅是献给湿婆的，也是献给雪山女神的。

这尊喜气而性感的神像所要表现的并非只是一对让世间夫妻效仿的模范伴侣湿婆与雪山女神，也是对神的本质进行的思索，因为他们其实是同一位神的两个化身。夏纳格·瑞西·达斯解释说：