Vaishnavi Dancing in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, June 2018

Vaishnavi Dancing (Primary Title)

Unknown (Artist)

Date: 9th century

Culture: Indian

Category: Sculpture

Medium: red sandstone

Collection: South Asian Art

Geography: Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan, India

Dimensions: Overall: 29 1/2 × 14 1/4 × 6 in. (74.93 × 36.2 × 15.24 cm)

Object Number: 68.8.12


This dynamically posed figure is Vaishnavi, who-like Varahi at the far right-is one of the Matrikas (Mothers). Though their number varies, the Matrikas were most often shown in sets of seven, accompanied by Ganesha and Shiva. As the shakti (power) of the god Vishnu, Vaishnavi holds his attributes-flaming discus, conch shell, mace-and wears his miter-shaped crown. Vishnu's bird-man mount, Garuda, stands to her right, paired with a female attendant on her left. Shown in the act of dancing, she probably comes from a set of Matrikas who all danced to the beat of Shiva- shown as Lord of Music (Vinadhara) or Lord of Dance (Nataraja).


Text from: www.vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-17733052