Padmanabha- he who has a Padma (lotus) emerging from his Nabhi (navel) is an epithet for a distinguished roopa of Sri Vishnu, at the threshold of creation. According to the sacred Hindu texts, from the body of Sheshashayi Sri Vishnu, Lord Brahma seated on a lotus emerged, and eventually began the task of creation. As the origin of Srishti (creation) and Srishtikarta (creator), this roopa of Padmanabha Swami is revered amongst Vaishnavas as an auspicious and eternally gracious form of Vishnu.
In this Tanjore painting, Shree Padmanabha Swami is in the center of the composition, exuding heavenliness, surrounded by divine beings, sages, gods, and goddesses. A brilliant artistic trope, to highlight and instill mutual respect between the Shaivas and Vaishnavas is the dangling hand of Padmanabha Swami, reaching a Shiva Linga near his Shesha shaiyya (bed of Adishesha), offering a floral adulation of Mahadeva.
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