An exceptional carved wooden panel of a sadhu with an erection, tamil nadu, india, 19thc 51 x 20 cm. (20.07 x 7.87 in.)

An exceptional carved wooden panel of a Sadhu with an erection, Tamil Nadu, India, 19thC This wooden panel was used in a processional chariot in Tamil Nadu. The two Sadhus wear a Chignon, the kamandalu, a symbol of asceticism, on their heads. The Sadhu on the left has his hands folded in prayer. In Tantrism, these positions are called Sadhana (spiritual practices) and are used, among other things, to allow semen to flow back to the highest chakra, at the top of the skull. In Tantrism, retaining semen and delaying ejaculation is a central spiritual practice.