Another figure of Vishnu from Sultanganj, with some minor variations, is quite similar. Carrying a lotus bud in upper right hand and a conch shell in the corresponding left hand, one of lower hands is placed on a male figure to the right and the other on a female figure to the left. It is, however, difficult to identify the standing figures with the Ayudhapurushas as their emblems are not visible. A devotee is seen to the left. A third figure of Vishnu also shows him four-armed and in a standing position, and is similar, except in that Chakrapurusha stands to the right while Gada Devi is placed to the left. The drapery, however, is not diaphanous and is rather indicated by the deep incisions and covers the body from the waist to the knees only, probably representing acute degeneration in sculptural art with the passage of time. On stylistic ground, in view of such degenerated delineation of form and crudity of incised drapery, the figure has been assigned to a period not earlier than the 13th century A.D.

To be continued....