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Yoga Narashimha, Vishnu in his Man-Lion Avatar

Yoga Narashimha, Vishnu in his Man-Lion Avatar

 

Artist and nationality: unknown

Title: Yoga Narashimha, Vishnu in his Man-Lion Avatar

date/date range of the artwork: 1250

period or dynasty : Late Chola Period (900-13th Century)

country of origin: Southern India

Materials: Bronze. 57 x 31 x 23 cm.

Location: 243 Indian and Southeast Asian; Cleveland Museum of Art

 

A beautiful bronze rendition of the Hindu god Vishnu, Yoga Narashimha, Vishnu in his Man-Lion Avatar is a statue that was created in South INdia during the late Chola Period. Due to oxidation its bronze color has started turning colors with a light malachite green pigmentation towards the bottom and on the hands, but the rest of the figure remains a dark bronze. Vishnu is depicted in his half man, half lion avatar state which is thought to be his most impressive and powerful state. He is shown sitting cross legged and bound by a band, with two of his four arms leaning on his knees, and the other two hands holding objects that represent two of his symbols. One hand holds a flaming wheel, while the other holds a small conch shell. This statue also shows a striking example of symmetry which is another holy symbol in Indian culture. With his feet crossed, two arms up, two arms down, two eyes, two tongues, and two nipples he can almost perfectly be split down the center in a mirror image.

 

 

If you would like to learn more about it, please visit the Cleveland Museum of Art in person, or virtually at www.clevelandart.org/art/1973.187

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Uploaded on April 26, 2021