Lord Vishnu in His Universal Form (Virat Swaroop )

Lord Vishnu in His Universal Form (Virat  Swaroop )

Kachchhapaghata Dynasty,10th Century AD, Bhopal  Museum

        The Kachchhapaghata Dynasty is a minor dynasty which ruled around Gwalior area of Madhya  Pradesh  in the 10th century AD. It has left beautiful temples around this area. 

       The Universal form of Lord Vishnu is rarely depicted in Indian art. It is described in Bhagwat Gita-- a form seen by Arjun. 

God is said to be infinite, undesirable, an abstract entity. It is formless, 'nirgun'--one without specific attributes. But in order to be comprehensible, He takes human forms. The universal form is a human display of the infinite form. In a way the concept is self - contradictory.  One who is infinite becomes finite to display His infinity. But then the very concept of God is that He is an amalgamation of contradictions.

        Here we see a multi-armed Lord Vishnu. He holds a sword in His right hand, and shield, 'pasha'(noose), bow, conch shell, and his blade (Sudarshan Chakra) in his left hands. He appears to his devotees and to the myriad gods who have assembled to witness the infinite aspect of God.