While a unique zoomorphic form of Varaha is still present in Khajuraho – complete with carvings of sages, gods, and the saptmatrikas – we have greater evidence of anthropomorphic forms of this Vishnu’s avatar, like the Gupta-era wall panel in Cave five at Udayagiri. Varaha’s iconographic depictions have been detailed in the Agni Purana, Vishnudharmottara Purana, Matsya Purana, Narada Purana, Skanda Purana, and other texts. As the Nri-Varaha, or ‘human-boar,’ Varaha is presented in a combative ‘alidhasana’ with one leg resting on a turtle and the other on the king of all serpents, Sheshnaga. In a glorious manner, Varaha looks up in reverence to Bhudevi, who is held carefully on one of his elbows. His other three hands carry the attributes commonly related with Vishnu: the ‘shankha’ or conch, the mace Kaumodaki, and the war discus ‘sudarshana chakra.’
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