What is the interpretation of a figure shown seated cross-legged in a "yogic" posture, sometimes surrounded by animals, on Harappan seals?
1) A depiction of "proto-Shiva," an early form of a major Hindu deity
2) A representation of a mother goddess
3) A mythical, composite creature
4) None of the above.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option 1 - 1
1) A depiction of "proto-Shiva," an early form of a major Hindu deity
Attempts have also been made to reconstruct religious beliefs and practices by examining seals, some of which seem to depict ritual scenes. Others, with plant motifs, are thought to indicate nature worship. Some animals – such as the one-horned animal, often called the “unicorn” – depicted on seals seem to be mythical, composite creatures. In some seals, a figure shown seated cross-legged in a “yogic” posture, sometimes surrounded by animals, has been regarded as a depiction of “proto-Shiva”, that is, an early form of one of the major deities of Hinduism. Besides, conical stone objects have been classified as lingas.