Question

How does the sculpture of Vishnu Sleeping (Anantasayin), dating back to 425 CE and located in the Dashavatara Vishnu Temple in Deogarth during the Gupta period, illustrate the depiction of Vishnu lying on the cosmic waters with the lotus emerging from his navel, and how do elements like Ganesha pointing to the proper direction of circumambulation and the cobra headdress contribute to the Gupta sculptural style and the symbolic richness of this representation?

Answer 1

The sculpture of Vishnu Sleeping from the Gupta Period represents Hindu iconography with Vishnu at the creation center and includes symbols like Ganesha and a cobra headdress, demonstrating Gupta art's fusion of symbolism and elegance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Gupta Period was a time when Hindu iconography was solidified, particularly in sculpture. The sculpture of Vishnu Sleeping (Anantasayin), from 425 CE in the Dashavatara Vishnu Temple in Deogarth, exemplifies the style of this era. The representation of Vishnu lying on the cosmic waters with a lotus emanating from his navel encapsulates his role as the preserver and creator within the universe. The inclusion of elements such as Ganesha pointing towards the right direction for circumambulation and the cobra headdress signify both directional importance and the serpentine energy often associated with Vishnu, contributing to the sculpture's symbolism. These stylistic elements align with the Gupta sculptural style, which is noted for uniting religious symbolism with artistic elegance. This period in history parallels the development of other sacred texts and socio-religious development such as the Kama Sutra, thereby underscoring the cultural and religious renaissance of the time.