The significance of Viṡṅu reclining on the serpent

✍ Scribed by Arvind Sharma

• Book ID: 104270055
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 837 KB
• Volume: 16
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0048-721X
• DOI: 10.1016/s0048-721x(86)80001-x

✦ Synopsis

The principal types of Visnu images are grouped under three broad heads, viz., sth~naka (standing)i dsana (seated) and ~ayana (recumbent). 1 In the Jayana or recumbent category the principal type is represented by ~es.aJayana. 2 'The Ses~sayana or Anantagayana depicts the adult god recumbent on the folds of Adi or Ananta N~ga, the hoods of the latter serving as a canopy over his head; there are several other figures shown round him, the chief among whom is Laksmi who is shampooing his legs'.3 Figure 1 conveys a fair impression of this type of representation, although it depicts Visnu with two wives rather than one. 4 ~ ~,~ t ---z

The ~esa~yin representation of Visnu is both ancient and popular. 5 It certainly goes as far back as the 5th century AD, when it is found depicted in terracotta relief from the brick temple at Bhitargaon. 6 The ghanadv~ra representation at the stone temple at Deogarh 7 of 6th century AD has won acclaim from several art critics, a The representation is also found in the