South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c8.s7.33

c8.s7.33

VISH- VAKSĒNA. Vishvaksēna, a synonym for Vishnu also found in the lexicon Amarakōsa, is recognized as a Vaishnava god who, like Ganēsa of the Saivas (described below), is worshipped by the Srī-Vaishnavas, at the beginning of every ceremony in order to avoid obstacles. He has his face turned towards the south and is a guardian deity in Vishnu temples. In three of his hands he holds the usual Vaishnavite symbols, viz., the conch, discus and the club and in the fourth exhibits the threatening finger-pose called tarjani. He is seated with his right leg hanging down from the pedestal and the left bent crosswise and placed on the same [fig. 160 (c), below].