Important Notice

BENGAL, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY
Phyllite
25.75 in (65.6 cm) high

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Kolkata


Vamana, the 5th avatar of Vishnu in which he assumes the form of a dwarf, is rarely worshipped as a separate deity, and there are no extant temples known that are devoted to him. In this large, rare sculpture, Vamana is shown decked in jewellery. In his hands, he bears the mace, conch and discus, which are attributes conventionally associated with Vishnu. To his left, Saraswati, the goddess of learning, is seen holding a veena.

Vishnu assumes the avatar of Vamana to keep the power of the asuras in check at the behest of the devas. Bali, an asura king known for his benevolence, had assumed disproportionate powers and was perceived as a threat by the devas. Approaching Bali as Vamana, Vishnu requested that he grant him just the land that he could cover in three strides. Considering the dwarf-sized Vamana, the king happily agreed. Vamana grew in size and with his first stride, he covered the entire earth. His second stride covered the heavens. Not knowing where to place his foot for a third stride, he turned to Bali, who offered him his own head, and Vishnu pushed him into the netherworld with the third step. Impressed by Bali's humility, Vishnu granted him a boon: that he would be allowed to visit his kingdom every year, and that he would be reborn as the ruler of the heavens.

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