Vishnu Temple at Deogarh Relief of Vishnu c. 425
Vishnu is on the coils of the giant multi-hearded serpent, Ananta, who drifts endlessly on the eternal sea of milk. As the lord sleeps, he dreams the cosmos into reality. One of the most popular depictions of Vishnu is seated or lying upon Ananta the snake in the midst of the primeval ocean. From his navel grows the lotus out of which appears Brahma, who undertook the specific work of creation.
Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, is at his feet massaging his legs. Behind Laksmi is a female attendant holding the god's mace in readiness and next to him is, in human form the sky carrier, Garuda, the sun bird. At the bottom is a row of 6 figures who are thought to be the five Pandava brothers, heroes of the epic Mahabharata.
