South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c8.s7.2

c8.s7.2

Besides the *avatārs* mentioned above, there are other forms of Vishnu which are also often found in South-Indian temples. The most important of such is his reclining form, known by the names Anantasāyin (or Sēshasāyin), Padmanābha and Ranganātha.¹ The temples at Srīrangam and Trivandrum may be specially mentioned as the places where this form of Vishnu is worshipped. In Tamil he is known as Palligondān. A good illustration (fig. 32) comes from the old sculptures at Mahābalipuram. In the so-called Mahishāsura-mandapa, on the proper right wall of the front verandah is depicted the scene under reference. Here on the coils of the serpent Ananta sleeps on his back a gigantic figure of Vishnu with two arms. The right hand is carelessly thrown on the body of the serpent while the left hand is raised up at the elbow. The god wears a cloth round the waist, which reaches down to the feet. The usual *udarabandhana* is also tied round the lower part of the stomach in the form of a girdle, its ends gracefully hanging down and touching the right side of the serpent couch. The garland round the neck (i.e., the *vanamālā*) has slipped down the right arm of the god, thus emphasizing his sleeping posture. By the side of the serpent couch, near the feet of Vishnu, is the figure of Lakshmī kneeling down and worshipping him with folded hands. In front of her are two other figures also seated by the side of the serpent couch. These may be the two colleagues of Vishnu, viz., Brahmā and Siva, or the attendants Jaya and Vijaya. Above the sleeping god in the air are two flying figures, one a female and the other a fat figure, probably a goblin. Beyond his feet and looking him straight in the face are two stalwart figures standing one in a defiant attitude with a club in his hand and the other dissuading him from what looks apparently like a murderous attack on the god. The Padma-Purāna gives a description of Vishnu, which comes very near to what has been depicted above. It says: "The god of gods sleeps on the serpent. One of his legs lies on the thigh of Lakshmi, while the other is placed on the body of the serpent. He has two hands, one of which is stretched along the right thigh and the other is placed over his head. Brahma is comfortably seated on the lotus which springs from the navel of Vishnu. Entangled in the stem of the lotus stand the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. The symbols of the god, viz., the conch, discus, club and lotus are all represented about him, each assuming a body."¹ A similar description is given by Hemadri under the term Jalasayana.