Wood Mask of the Mahabharata Epic Character King Salya , "Salya"

The noble mien of Salya emerges through the symmetrical details of this handcrafted mask. Nyoman Indrawati Subrata of the Subrata Family carves the image by hand from luxurious mahogany wood. Salya is the king of Madra in the great Hindu Mahabharata epic. According to the story, Dewi Pujawati was a perfect wife: beautiful, polite, honest, and truly dedicated to her wise husband, Salya. On many occasions, she daringly defended her husband's life. Salya adored his wife more and more each day, proudly bestowing upon her the new name of Satyawati (Satya means "loyal").

King Salya was designated the chief warrior of the Korawa brothers. Before going to battle, he asked permission of Satyawati. He was wearing white clothes at the time, signifying that as a ksatria (warrior) he should bravely fight until his death, if necessary. Salya and Satyawati knew in their hearts that their days together were numbered. Solemnly, with respect to her husband, she said that she would follow him wherever he went. After Salya's death on the battlefield, Satyawati asked God for permission to end her own life, joining Salya by throwing herself onto his burning body. Their souls traveled together into heaven.