Varaha incarnation of Vishnu
8th-9th century

Varaha is the 3rd incarnation of God Vishnu in the form of boar. In various texts, specially Puranas, he is described as a God who saved Bhudevi (the earth) from demon Hiranyaksha who is said to have hid goddess in primordial waters.

Varaha therefore is depicted as lifting the earth out of the cosmic ocean.

Varaha is either depicted in a complete animal form or half animal-half human body. This sculpture has shown varaha in an anthropomorphic form. He is depicted with four arms, one is broken.

The lower right hand is casually placed on his thigh, also showing the dagger kept in his lower garment. The rest two are visible with prominent attributes: shankha( conch) and Sudarshan chakra( round disc). The halo surrounds the head of the god.

Bhudevi is shown calmly resting on his elbow. She is adoringly looking at the God who just rescued her. It's interesting to see how the goddess's attire and ornaments are disorderly, who has just been escaped out of cosmic waters.

Her long necklace is not in a proper place, tangled around her waist, similar to the disorderly strings of girdle. The sculpture is a beautiful depiction of story.

@desi_thug1
@LostTemple7
@irudragaur

Source: The Cleveland Museum of Art