Sheshashayi Vishnu: The image which struck me at the first glance and perhaps the most magnificent piece of art at Deogarh is the south wall niche which contains a unique and large sculpture of Chaturbhuj (four-handed) Vishnu, depicted as reclining on the serpent Shesha Naga with seven hoods forming a shade over his crowned head, with his head raised above on support of one of his hands. An image which leaves one mesmerized especially during the hours of Sunset when light falls upon the head of Vishnu is rare since it is without any attributes, generally seen in most Vishnu sculptures.

Lakshmi (Vishnu’s consort), along with her two attendants, are depicted at Vishnu’s feet while beside him is depicted Garuda as a male figure holding a snake around his neck. Another lady figure is shown standing behind the former female figure. Brahma is depicted as emerging from somewhere behind Vishnu while other gods including Kartikeya and Indra on their respective mounts, Shiva with Parvati on Nandi accompanied with a gana and celestials are seen watching this display.

In another panel below this are shown five males and a female who have been understood to represent the two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, getting ready to attack but being repulsed by the four ayudhapurushas (anthropomorphic forms of weapons) of Vishnu which from proper right represent Kaumaudki gada (club) in female form and Sudarshana Chakra (discus), Sarnga dhanush (bow) and Nandaka (sword), all in male forms.

According to another interpretation, the lower panel depicts the five Pandavas and their common wife Draupadi positioned in the corner, with Yudhisthira being in the centre with Bhima and Arjuna on his left, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva on his right. This interpretation of the sculpture may also hold merit keeping in view that the epic Mahabharat may have influenced the sculptor’s theme as the temple also depicts the rare Nara and Narayana sculpture so important in the epic. The same is mentioned in the board put up by the ASI at the temple site.

To be continued......