Karttikeya, the God of War
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Here, the god of war is in his youthful manifestation, with a dagger secured at his waist. He holds a javelin and rooster, the latter associated with speed and aggression. The tail feathers of his peacock are visible behind his feet. The handsome, young god has a Shiva-like chignon and large elliptical earplugs in the Indian manner of the sixth-century Gupta period.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.