Varaha ascending from the Cosmic Ocean, shale, Fathabad, India, 12th century

Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu, lifting the earth goddess, Bhumi, from the primeval ocean. The incarnation- a human form with boar's head- stands with raised left foot resting on a large lotus flower, beneath which sit a naga and nagini (male and female divinities) with their coils entwined. His right foot is placed on the back of a tortoise. Of the four arms, one rests on the right hip, the other three hold the symbols of Vishnu, the mace, conch shell and disc. The left elbow supports the earth goddess, who sits gazing at the Boar with hands pressed together in the anjali (adoration) pose. Above the main figure is an inverted lotus-leaf, placed umbrella-wise, indicating that the Boar has just risen from the depths of the ocean. Flanking the lotus-halo behind the head are the seated figures of the two other members of the Hindu Trinity, Brahma (left) and Shiva (right). Midway, two celestial worshippers are seated on lotuses and at the bottom are two ayudapurushas (personified symbols), one holding the conch-shell (left), the other the disc of Vishnu (right).

The central figure of Varaha is carved in the round with the back slab cut completely away from behind and round him, while the surrounding figures are carved in high relief against the sides of the slab. This has a plain rectangular base which projects forwards under the central figure. It rises to a semi-circular cresting with incised flame motifs emanating from the god's circular nimbus.

Purchased from H.C.Fanshawe, Esq. C.S.I., 72 Philbach Gardens, Earl's Court, S.W.5

Stated to have been found in the neighbourhood of Fathabad in the Hissar District of the S.E. Punjab. Purchased from Mr H C Fanshawe in 1921, 18 objects for £50.

Purchased from H.C.Fanshawe, Esq. C.S.I., 72 Philbach Gardens, Earl's Court, S.W.5. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

R.P. 1921-4789 & 4604

Fatehabad District, Hisar Division, Haryana (formerly part of Punjab), North India (Chauhan Style)

Vahara, the boar incarnation of Visnu, lifting the earth goddess, Bhumi, from the floor of the primeval ocean, where she had been immersed by the demon Hiranyaksa. This creation myth is perhaps rooted in a Vedic memory of a Great Flood; certainly Varaha is amongst the oldest of the Visnu avataras and among the first to be celebrated and worshipped in monumental sculptures, as seen at Eran and Udayagiri, both early Gupta-period sites in Madhya Pradesh.

Varaha stands with raised left foot resting on a large lotus flower, beneath which sit a naga and nagini, male and female snake divinities. The right foot is placed on the back of a tortoise, emblematic of the Universe. Of the four arms, one rests on the right hip, the other three hold the symbols of Visnu, the mace (gada), conch shell (sangka) and discus (cakra). On his left elbow Varaha supports the diminutive figure of the earth goddess who gazes at him with hands pressed together in adoration (anjali) and in acknowledgement of her deliverance. Above Varaha’s boar-head is an inverted lotus-leaf, serving both as an honorific umbrella and as an indication of their emergence from the depths of the ocean. Flanking the lotus-halo are the seated figures of Brahma (left) and Siva (right). Midway, two worshippers are seated on lotuses and at the bottom are personifications (ayudapurushas) of Visnu’s conch and discus attributes.

IM.307-1921