A famous Harappan seal shows a seated figure surrounded by animals, which some scholars identify as an early form of:

A famous Harappan seal shows a horned figure seated in a yogic posture, surrounded by animals, and many scholars have identified it as an early form of Shiva as "Pashupati" (Lord of Animals).

About the "Pashupati seal":

• It was found at Mohenjo-daro.
• It is made of steatite and is about 3.5 cm square.
• The figure wears a horned headdress and sits cross-legged, with the heels pressed together, in a posture similar to a yoga position.
• It is surrounded by four animals: an elephant, a tiger, a rhinoceros and a buffalo.
• Two deer (or antelopes) are shown below the seat.
• Some scholars believe the figure has three faces.
• There is a short inscription at the top.

Why it is called "Proto-Shiva":

• Shiva is known as "Pashupati" (Lord of Animals) and as the greatest yogi in later Hinduism.
• Because of the animals and the yogic posture, early archaeologists described the figure as "proto-Shiva" (an early form of Shiva).
• However, this identification is debated; NCERT notes that we cannot be sure, as the script cannot be read and the figure could represent something else.

Religion of the Harappans:

• Many female terracotta figurines have been found, which some scholars think represent a "mother goddess".
• Stone objects that look like lingas have been found.
• Some seals show trees and animals that may have been sacred.
• Fire altars have been found at some sites.
• Animals such as the humped bull may have had religious importance.

Today:

The Pashupati seal is kept in the National Museum, New Delhi.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Vishnu, Indra and Brahma are not identified with the figure on this seal.