Varaha is the third incarnation or avatar of Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation. According to the most common version of the tale, the demon Hiranyaksha had seized the Earth and dragged her to the depths of the cosmic ocean. Under the protection of a boon, Hiranyaksha recited the names of all humans, gods, and other creatures, who thus could not harm him. But he neglected to mention the boar. Upon realizing this, Vishnu manifested as a giant boar, his avatar Varaha, and dove into the ocean. He killed Hiranyaksha with his tusks, rescued the Earth, and lifted her up to the surface of the ocean. The Earth is typically personified as the goddess Bhumi (see M.72.53.8), but here Vishnu’s wife Lakshmi is shown being carried on Varaha’s thigh. Varaha is represented in a hybrid zoo-anthropomorphic form with a boar’s head on a human body. He has four arms and carries Vishnu’s standard attributes. In his upper right hand, he holds a discus (chakra). His lower right is held in the gesture of reassurance (abhaya mudra). In his upper left hand, he holds a conch (shankha). His lower left hand rests on the hilt of a mace (gada). He stands in the charming (lalita) dance posture on his right leg with his left leg raised and supported by the pericarp of a lotus flower (karnika). Lakshmi wears a striped lower garment (antariya) and ornate jewelry, including a chest ornament (channavira) between her breasts. She has two arms. Her left hand holds her lotus attribute, while her right hand embraces Varaha around his waist. See also M.82.41.2a.