Sripati, the lord of Sri or Lakshmi, Bhagwan Vishnu has taken the role of the preserver of the universe, looking after the smooth passage of the cycle of time or Kaal-Chakra. To carry on his duties as the benevolent parent, Vishnu takes human forms- known as the Dashavatara or ten incarnations, initiating growth and movement in the human realm, all the while observing the theatre of existence from his heavenly home- Vaikuntha. The abode of Vishnu extends in a circumference of 80,000 miles, adorned with gold and jewels, with goddess Ganga touching the feet of the great preserver and flowing as a celestial stream. The epic Mahabharata mentions that when Vishnu began the process of creating the universe, his powers were not limited (Kuntitha), due to which he came to be known as Vaikuntha Natha- lord of the boundless realm.
This Tanjore Vishnu painting presents him as the lord of Vaikuntha, sitting on the coils of the Adi-Shesha, the embodiment of time along with his wives- Lakshmi or Sri on his right, four-armed, holding her distinctive attribute, the lotus flower and Bhu Devi, the earth goddess on the left, with her hands folded in reverence, thanking the Lord for always coming to her rescue. The hoods of the serpent Shesha form a royal canopy over Vishnu, who is in the graceful Maharaja-lilasana, a regal posture. The divine trio is seen in this exquisite Tanjore painting, on the platform created by coils of Shesha, a blossomed white lotus, and a gold pedestal, surrounded by a number of divine beings, who are given an individual appearance through the use of various colors in the painting. Under Vishnu’s dangling foot, there are two lines of celestial maidens expressing their devotion to Narayana.
A profusion of glittering golden color is achieved by the 24 karat gold, following the traditional pattern of Tanjore art, which has laced this Sri Vishnu painting with a distinctive radiance. The outer structure of Vaikuntha has been visualized as a royal palace whose canopies and arches studded with attractive gemstones are in the style of authentic Tanjore painting. In the background, beautifying the vast blue sky painted with pleasing blue and white are the sun and the moon- the two powerful heavenly bodies who are lucky enough to witness the eternal Lilas (plays) of Vishnu.
In the midst of the gathering of beings who glow with the aura of their divinity, together with Sri and Bhu Devi, female deities who are the source of all beauty, regalia, and opulence, Vishnu in this Tanjore painting, glowing clad in golden ornaments that adorn his extra-terrestrial body appears to be “Neela Kamala”- the blue water lily that is the eternal fragrant source of exquisiteness for the waters (primordial ocean) that He inhabits.
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