Essay name: Vaishnava Myths in the Puranas
Author:
Kum. Geeta P. Kurandwad
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
The essay studies the Vaishnava Myths in the Puranas by exploring the significance of the ten principal incarnations of Lord Vishnu as depicted in various ancient Indian texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas. The research also investigates the social, political, philosophical, and religious impact.
Chapter 5 - Iconography of Vaishnava Avataras
29 (of 51)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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from Vamana, termed Dadhi Vamana. The texts prescribed that
Vamana should carry pots, full of curds and water in his hands.
The idea behind this form seems to indicate Vamana symbolizing
the creative primciple of life as represented by the water and curd.
According to the same text Vamana should meditated upon as
standing under the golden umbrella flanked by the goddess Sri
and Bhumi. He should hold in his left hand a golden pot filled
with water. The description of Vamana in the Saradatilaka is
almost the same.
So far such of Vamana has come to sight.
The image to be executed to the Visnudharmottara Purana is
very peculiar. It says:
"The image of Trivikrama should be like the cloud laiden with
water, (of dark shade) and in his right hands he hold the staff, the
noose, the conch, the disc, the mace and the lotus. With his other
two hands he should blow the conch.
The Matsya Purana, the Manasollasa etc. do not throw much
light on the iconography of the Trivikrama image, hence for the
most we have to rely on the Vaikhanasagama ans the Atri Samhita.
The Vaikhasagama divides the image of Trivikrama into three
varieties according to the level of the upraised left foot. It should
either to be the level of the right knee, to the navel or to the
forehead inteded to represent him in the act of striding over the
