As the supreme feminine pontificate of the great triad or ‘Trimurti’ of Hindu gods, we have with us this articulate ‘panchaloha’ bronze image of Devi Uma as Bhogashakti. It is the manifestation of Parvati that embodies ‘bhoga,’ or pleasure, and ‘shakti,’ meaning energy – quite literally accompanying our supreme destroyer Shiva’s potency and projecting sexual energy. In popular traditions, especially in South India, the presentation of Bhogashakti is usually witnessed just before the devotee enters the inner sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
