Figure

This small processional image shows Vishnu seated in royal ease (‘lalitasana’) on a double-lotus throne. His upper hands hold the flaming wheel (‘cakra’) and conch (‘sangka’), while his lower ones hold the mace (‘gada’) and lotus stem and bud (‘padma’). The lotus is a feature of iconography of the Pallava period (about 300-888 AD) and was soon displaced by the hand gesture invoking protection of the devotee (‘abhaya-mudra’).

The lightly engraved ‘srivatsa’ mark on Visnu’s chest is a symbol of the natural elements and of the presence of his consort, Laksmi. He wears a cylindrical crown (‘kirita-mukuta’) and elaborate ear-ornaments (‘kundala’) with ‘makara’ design. He is richly bejewelled, with strings of pearls draping his shoulders and elaborate arm-bands.