Sphinx of India
by Raja Deekshithar

Is the sphinx of India the same as the sphinx of Egypt and Greece?
At this point of my research I could not answer this question
positively or negatively either way. Could it be concluded from the
visual and textual evidence I have gathered through my research and
presented in this website, that this mythological composite being
called purushamriga is identical with or possibly related to the
sphinx known from other parts of the ancient world? The description
is fitting, and so is the definition. Also the functions are almost
similar. And in case we could prove or establish a relationship,
would it have its source in synchronicity, be rooted in an
archetypal origin, or would it be one of derivation? And if the
sphinx was a cultural derivation, we would have to answer the
question whether it was derived from one part of the ancient world
to the other, or from a common source.

On the one hand we have found the basic form of a lion body with a
human head. Other remarkable parallels with the depiction of
sphinxes in the ancient art of West Asia and the Mediterranean area
are the pairing of male-female purushamriga, the placement near
temple entrances, their depiction on thrones, as vehicles of
deities, and trampling on a warrior. The representation on animal
friezes also reflects the sphinx's place in reliefs and freezes
depicting various animals, as found in West Asian and Mediterranean
monuments.

On the other hand we have the specifically Indian artistic idiom, as
represented by the mane, fangs, elongated human ears with studs or
ear disks, and jewelry. The portrayal of the purushamriga as a rishi
or seer worshipping a Shivalinga or as a musician playing an
instrument is also specifically Indian.

We have also recognized artistic and stylistic influence from
Hellenistic sources. This was probably short-lived, in the north-
western and central Gangetic plain from the 1st century till the 2nd
century BCE. Sometimes the sphinx is here depicted with wings.
Although this influence doesn't seem to have existed beyond this
time and area it does show possibly a certain exchange did take
place. But according to the doctrinal and oral traditions of south
India, the purushamriga is first mentioned in the Yajur Veda, which
is dated to a period long before the time of the Greek influence on
Indian art. And its ritual role continues till today, in the lamp
ceremonies in south Indian temples.

This brings us to the function of the sphinx in India. There are
many similarities in the functions of the purushamrga in India and
the sphinx of the ancient world. The latter is described as a being
of secret and sacred knowledge. In India the purushamriga is said to
be a great yogi and depicted as a rishi or seer. Both the sphinx and
the purushamriga guard the entrances of temples and ward off evil.
Both are portrayed as worshipping and as announcing the epiphany of
the deity. Both are also sometimes functioning as the vehicle of
deities. But although the civilizations of Egypt, West Asia and the
Mediterranean see the sphinx as primarily a solar symbol, in the
Yajur Veda it is stated to be dedicated to the Moon.

Are the purushamriga in Indian sculpture and ritual associated to
the sphinxes of other parts of the ancient world? Are they derived
through artistic or mythological influence? And if so, was the
derivation from West to East, or from East to West. Or is the sphinx
a mythological concept that originates from human civilization
beyond our historical horizon? From an as yet un-identified common
cultural source? Or do they derive from the archetypal and
mythological sub-conscious of ancient peoples? The research is at
present in too early a stage, with only a fraction of the material
relating to the anthropomorphic lion (sphinx type) in India having
been identified or studied. Only a more complete survey and analysis
will enable us to answer these questions and bring definite
conclusions.