Lord Vishnu Sleeping on Sheshnaag

Lord Vishnu  Sleeping  on Sheshnaag

10th Century AD, Kota Museum

           This is another beautiful  sculpture  in the museum. There are various stories being narrated in this piece : firstly, Lord Vishnu sleeping on the coils of Sheshnag. The birth of Lord Brahma  from the naval  of Lord Vishnu. Goddess Lakshmi  massaging Lord Vishnu's foot. Two demons about to ensue a fight with Lord Vishnu.  They are  in the background. They are the two 'asuras' who emerged from the dirt accumulated  behind Lord Vishnu's ears. Both are about to attack Lord Vishnu. The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu along with the nine planets  are on the top frieze. This is a piece  with multiple  narratives.
             Life is not linear. Different  events happen simultaneously.  Life itself has multiple  narrations. The sculptor  has depicted  the various  layers of the cosmos.