Sri Vishnu and his four-armed form in the Hindu tradition has become the most popular roopa (form) of the great preserver in the Indian art tradition. This watercolor on paper by Kailash Raj goes beyond the traditionally known visualization of Sri Vishnu and draws from the Narayana Kavachama (Narayana- another name for Vishnu, Kavacham- armor) from the great Srimad Bhagavatam.
The Narayana Kavacham evokes Sri Vishnu as an eight-armed, “Ashta-baahu” (ashta-eight, bahu- armed) divine being, who carries eight weapons- conch shell, discus, sword, mace, bow and rope and rides his powerful bird-mount, Garuda. In the top right corner of the painting, Ashta-bahu Vishnu, with the expansive blue sky serving as an extension of his blue-skinned aura, instantly attracts the eye.
Garuda, in a zoo-anthropomorphic form, holds his lord’s lotus feet in his hand devotionally with his upward bending wings in the back conveying a descent of the heavenly bird. Both Sri Vishnu and Garuda are adorned with rich ornaments with pearls and gems highlighted by vivid colors against a golden base. Vishnu’s benevolent gaze is cast downwards on the group of Devata (gods) standing on the lush green hilltop.
Headed by the four-faced Lord Brahma and Shiva, the gods including a red-hued Ganesha in a white dhoti, Indra, and a goat-faced Prajapati have their hands folded, looking at the sky in anticipation of the arrival of their protector. The sumptuous use of colors, attention to an individual subject and their costumes, a profusion of a pleasing green, and detailing of the elements in the background brings to this watercolor Lord Vishnu painting a hypnotic visual feel.
Leaving the background for Garuda and Vishnu simple, the artist has managed to pull our unhindered attention to the divinity of the preserver Lord who instills reverence in the heart with his supreme, battle-ready form. As the protector of the universe, Ashtabahu Vishnu or Maha Vishnu comes readily to help whenever his children are troubled.
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