Brahma Stems From The Navel Of Sheshashayi Vishnu Upon Dashavatara Base

A handsome prince lies (‘shayi’) within the coils of the multi-hooded Sheshanaga, dreaming the world into being. The tall crown on His head grazes the underbelly of the sacred serpent. In the posterior hands are the conch and the discus; a lotus in the anterior right, while the left He rests upon the hip as He lies on one side. At His feet are the beautiful and devoted Bhoodevi and Shreedevi, His wives, pressing against His muscles, lulling Him into divine slumber. From His navel emerges the stem of the padmasana (lotus-throne) of Lord Brahma, whose four heads have been carved with perfect detail despite the relative scale. He is Lord Vishnu, prince of paraloka, the absolute form of the oft-descended avataras.

The ten avataras, called dashavatara in the vernacular, are to be found in a row at the base of the ensemble. Each of the dashavatara figurines have been carved with superb precision and detail, just like the Lord Brahma miniature above. On either edge of the top of this base are seated Lord Garuda and Lord Hanuman, flanking the bed made by Sheshanaga’s coils. While the former is the divine mount (‘vahana’) of Lord Visnua, Lord Hanuman embodies unconditional love of Lord Rama, one of the dashavataras.

The aureole stems from either side of the central ensemble, perfectly symmetrical and finished with traditional engravings. From the tops of these pillars float a network of vines, within the lengths of which nestle a discus to the left and a conch to the right (Vaishnava implements). The large Kirtimukham at the zenith completes the composition.