This incomparable image of the revered Hindu sage Agastya is believed to be the only surviving representation of Agastya from medieval eastern India. The historical Agastya is believed to have been born in the 7th century in the ancient holy city of Banaras (modern Varanasi) in north India. In his early life, he was a great sage and religious ascetic. Then, after marrying a beauty queen and having a large family in order to fulfill a prophecy enabling his ancestors to go to heaven, Agastya moved to south India, where he and his descendants are credited with being responsible for the introduction of Hinduism and the worship of the important god Shiva. Agastya is also believed to have taught south Indians medicine and grammar, invented the eloquent Tamil language of south India, and even written a treatise on making religious images for temples. His biography was further embellished by being merged with the mythological exploits of another great sage, also named Agastya, whose momentous deeds had been praised in even more ancient Indian literary works. He is thus said to have had a miraculous birth, had mastery over mountains (hence, the meaning of his name: "Mover of Mountains"), and once even swallowed the entire ocean to expose a hoard of demon terrorists. This magical feat enabled him to travel to Cambodia and Indonesia, where he is recorded in ancient inscriptions and textual references as having founded numerous temples dedicated to Shiva. See also M.90.117.1.

• Huntington, Susan L. and John C.. Huntington.  Leaves from the Bodhi Tree: The Art of Pala India (8th - 12th centuries) and Its International Legacy. Dayton, OH: The Dayton Art Institute in Association with the University of Washington Press, 1990.

• El Universo de la India: Obras Maestras del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Angeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda, 2012.

• Mevissen, G., Banerji, A.Prajnadhara: Essays on Asian Art, History, Epigraphy and Culture in Honour of Gouriswar Bhattacharya. New Delhi:Kaveri Books, 2009