This is Vishnu standing on the pedestal formed by Sesha’s, the cobra associated with Vishnu, body. This pose, standing without any bend and with the weight balanced evenly on the two legs, is called Samapada.

Vishnu’s front hands are in Abhaya (protection) and Varada (boon bestowing) mudra. The rear hands are holding his trademark attributes, Shankha, and Chakra.

This Vigraha is meant for home worship, and it is about 7 cm in height.

Deities standing on the pedestal formed by the coiled body of Sesha appear to be a popular theme. Below are some of the examples from my collection. From left to right they are Vishnu, Navneetha Krishna, Surya Narayana and Krishna as cowherd.

Vishnu is one of the very few Hindu deities depicted standing, sitting, and lying down. I was just lucky to have all three poses with Sesha, a unique group. See the photo below. From our left Vishnu (from Karnataka), Reclining Vishnu (From Tamil Nadu) and seated Vishnu (From Kerala).

The subject of this blog, like its counterpart cowherd Krishna, is from Karnataka and may be dated to the nineteenth century.