| Summary: | This research discusses a pair of bearded figure in Central Javanese temple.
This research also tries to identify these figures which were depicted on the
Central Javanese reliefs. Moreover the research aims to to reveal the role and
meaning of the position of these figures. Temple was replica of Mount Meru
which was perceived as the place of gods in Indian mythology. As a place of
gods, temple was also built in order to imitate the celestial world. Thus, temple
had components depicting the celestial world as the place of gods. These
components are represented by kalpav�ksa, gods who inhabited the celestial
world, and other creatures. On the temple, the visualization of celestial milieu
could be represented in statue or reliefs.
One of the celestial world inhabitants was pariv�radevat�. Pariv�radevat� was
one of icons who was not placed in the main chamber of the temple, but surround
of temple corridor. Several pariv�radevat� figures had been already identified.
However, amongst of them were still not yet known including the bearded figures.
These bearded figures had been found in some Central Javanese temples. The
representation of these figures as statue on temple are often regarded as
Agastya, particularly in Hindu Javanese temple. On the other hand, the
representation of these figures on the temple�s reliefs is perceived as �ṣi.
Nevertheless, the representation of these figures on the both side of other figures
or which appears on temple doorstep has not been known yet. As a matter of fact
the representation of these figures on the temple is of course having particular
meaning related with temple cosmology. Based on this problem, a research
about a pair of bearded figures is undoubtedly needed. Furthermore, the ultimate
position of these figures on the doorstep of temple or on the both side of another
figure convincingly demonstrates its particular role.
The research method used in this research is descriptive-analytical in which on
the beginning of this research is aimed to describe the representation of bearded
figures in temple and its position. On the subsequent stage, these figures are
analyzed through scientific approach. The method to analyze these figures is
iconography in order to reveal this pair of bearded figure.
Key words: pair of bearded figure, reliefs, pariv�radevat�,
Indian mythology, iconography
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