Shiva quells an earthquake by subduing the demon Ravana, who had disturbed the god and his consort by by shaking their home on Mount Kailasa. In this sculpture Ravana (always with multiple heads and arms) is shown in large scale below, while Shiva, Parvati, and their retinue are carved in very small scale above. This is an exception to the general rule that in Indian art, relative importance is indicated by size.