2022-03-07 Mon

The Kushan coinage depicted Lord Shiva with his different yet familiar attributes. There are numerous coin issued by kushan citing Lord Shiva as Osho, but in this article we have narrow it down to four coins depicting Osho on the reverse.

The first is the gold dinar minted in King Vasudeva reign depicts Lord Shiva in standing position with Nandi (bull) in the background. He is holding the trident in right hand and tamgha in the upper left field with label Osho.

The Other three coins also depict Lord Shiva but with different attributes. The second known gold coin was minted in Kanishka I reign depict four-armed Shiva without Nandi seen in the image. The third gold dinar depicts three headed Shiva with Nandi. The Fourth dinar minted in King Huvishka reign depicts Lord Shiva with Four hands and three heads.

It is quite fascinating to study that a single coinage that illustrates Lord Shiva with different attires and attributes. So much variation in one segment makes you wonder regarding the perception of Lord Shiva in that era.

image Courtesy: Todywalla auction