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
