Like M.69.13.2 and M.80.6.2, this Kashmiri representation of the Hindu god Vishnu is endowed with four heads: a central human face, the profile heads of a boar and a lion flanking it, and the face of a demon with a flamboyant crown on the rear. Various interpretations were postulated by different religious and philosophical sects devoted to Vishnu and his preeminent avatar, Krishna. The Pancharatra sect considered the lion, boar, and demon faces to be emanations of Vishnu that respectively symbolize his divine power, sovereignty, and cosmic energy. Another interpretation purports that Vishnu’s lion and boar faces also refer to his Narasimha and Varaha avatars (see M.81.90.20 and M.72.53.8 respectively).
Vishnu is depicted here seated on his half-avian, half-human mount, Garuda, who crouches on a lotus pedestal and hold his hands in the gesture of adoration (anjali mudra). Garuda’s stylized wings and tail feathers on the rear of the sculpture are a particularly demonstrative feature of the sculpture. Vishnu’s wife Lakshmi sits on his left thigh. He is nimbate and wears a tall crown surmounting his four heads, an auspicious ornament (shrivasta mangala) on his chest, a long garland of flowers (vana mala), and the Brahmanical sacred thread (yajnopavita) over his left shoulder. He has four arms. His upper right hand holds his club (gada). His lower right hand holds a long-stemmed lotus (padma). His upper left hand holds his discus (chakra), which is behind Lakshmi. His lower left hand holds his conch shell (shankha).