Ardhanarisvara 37

Vishnu the Preserver

This Lord Vishnu Chola Lost Wax Bronze is 2 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 20kg.  As with all of our one of a kind Chola Lost Wax Process bronzes the face of this statue is as individually unique.    Because Vishnu maintains the cosmic order of the universe or dharma, he is characteristically portrayed standing upright and balanced.  While Vishnu has many forms, this four-armed form is most common in the historic record of Antique Chola Lost Wax Bronze Icons as seen in museums and temples throughout India. In his four arms, he holds a Shankha a conch shell (upper left hand), used as a war horn to signal troops and Chakra (disc-upper right hand) are emblems of Vishnu.  The Chakra named Sudarshana is a powerful weapon that is time personified and symbolizes dharma. Vishnu is wearing jewels around his neck and a beautiful ornate crown.  The fine detail on the crown blends flawlessly all the way around. The crocodile shaped earrings he wears are called Makara Kundala.  Notice the small triangular mark near his right shoulder. This mark is called Srivatsa and was inflicted by Shiva’s trident during a duel between Shiva and sage Narayana who was an incarnation of Vishnu. However, Vishnu bears this mark with reverence as Lord Shiva who is extremely dear to Vishnu.  His right hand is raised in Abhaya Mudra (assurance or granting fearlessness) and left extends and rests near his waist in Katyavalambita Mudra.  His perfect and unique waist is adorned with a powerful Demon like center and 4 ornate belts blend into the classic leg pattern seen on this form historically.  The sculpture stands on a solid round pedestal. In order to accommodate a neat round base, this statue does not have the sometimes seen the two upward pointing bars on the pedestal are usually meant to slide over and fit onto a vertical Prabhavali the ornate arch around South Indian statues.