South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c8.s7.8

c8.s7.8

Lakshmi-Narayana is another of Vishnu's seated forms where, to the left of the god, by his side or sometimes on his thigh, is found seated the image of Lakshmi throwing her right hand round the neck of the god while she holds in her left a lotus. The left hand of Vishnu similarly passes round the waist of Lakshmi. A female deity called Siddhi stands near, with a fly-whisk in her hand. The vehicle Garuda is on the right side at the foot of the god. The sankha and chakra not being held by the god are carried by two dwarf male figures standing in front of him; Brahma and Siva also stand by, worshipping Vishnu with folded hands³ (fig. 34).