Vishnu as the boar Varaha

ca. 11th century

Vishnu, in his descent as the cosmic boar, rescued the earth goddess from the depths of the ocean and the clutches of a serpent demon. The earth goddess is depicted here as a beautiful young woman seated at Varaha's elbow. Varaha, with a boar's head on a man's body, appears in a victory pose upon a lotus pedestal that is supported by an entwined naga and nagini. He carries Vishnu's attributes-the mace, the discus, and the conch shell. In the upper right and upper left corners, Brahma and Siva look down from above.

Sandstone

30 3/4 x 20 in. (78.11 x 50.8 cm)

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

69.43

Not currently on view

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM