Varaha Rescuing the Earth from the Demon Hiranyaksha
Date1800-1850
(not assigned)India
MediumOpaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions26.5 x 19.4 cm (10 7/16 x 7 5/8 in.)
ClassificationsNon-Western Miniatures
Credit LineGift of Boris Kirski
Object number1959.39
Label TextThe painting depictsthe Hindu god Vishnu in the third of his ten incarnations, Varaha ("Boar"). When the demon Hiranyaksha stole Earth (personified as the goddess Bhudevi) from the universe and hid it in the primordial waters, Vishnu appeared as Varaha to rescue her and restore cosmic balance. Here, Varaha is shown vanquishing Hiranyaksha and retrieving Earth, lifting her up on his tusks.ProvenanceBoris Kirski, Boston MAOn View
Not on view
