Varaha Rescuing Bhu Devi
ca. 14th-15th century
Maker Unknown
Asian Art
The Hindu god Vishnu is said to have descended from heaven several times in order to save mankind. When he descends he assumes special forms, called avatars. He once became a boar, named Varaha, and plunged to the bottom of the primordial ocean to retrieve the drowning earth.
This image of Varaha shows him with the earth (in the form of a goddess) seated on his shoulder. He has the head of a boar, but the four arms and superhuman body of the god Vishnu, and his raised foot suggests that he is stepping out of the ocean.
This image of Varaha shows him with the earth (in the form of a goddess) seated on his shoulder. He has the head of a boar, but the four arms and superhuman body of the god Vishnu, and his raised foot suggests that he is stepping out of the ocean.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Bronze
- Medium
- bronze
- Locations
- Place made: Kerala, India
- Dimensions
- 12 3/4 x 7 3/4 x 5 1/8 in. (32.4 x 19.7 x 13 cm) mount: 12 3/4 × 7 7/8 × 5 1/4 in. (32.4 × 20 × 13.3 cm)
- Departments
- Asian Art
- Accession Number
- 78.259.1
- Credit Line
- Gift of Paul E. Manheim
- Exhibitions
- Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- Asian Galleries, Arts of South Asia, 2nd floor
Have a concern, a correction, or something to add?
