Chapter 49 - Characteristics of forms of ‘Fish’ etc. of Viṣṇu

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Lord said:

1. I shall describe to you the characteristics of the ten manifestations (of Viṣṇu) beginning with the Fish. The Fish (form of Viṣṇu) should resemble a fish. The Tortoise (form) should resemble a tortoise.

2. The terrestrial boar (manifestation) should have a human body and as carrying a mace and other (weapons) in the right hand, and the conch, (the goddess) Lakṣmī or a lotus in the left.

3. Or (the goddess) (is represented) as resting on the left elbow and the earth and (the serpent) Ananta at the feet. The installation of the figure secures for a person a kingdom and (such a person) gets across the ocean of mundane existence.

4. The Man-lion image (should be represented) as having a wide open mouth and having the killed demon (Hiraṇyakaśipu) on the left thigh. His chest should wear a garland and (his arms) should hold disc and mace.

5. The Dwarf-form may hold an umbrella and a stick or have four arms. The figure of Paraśurāma may hold the bow and arrow, a sword and an axe.

6. (The figure of) Rama should have the bow, arrow, sword, conch or two hands or may have four arms holding a mace and. plough.

7. The plough may be provided on the left half (upper arm) and the auspicious conch on the lower arm. The mace may be provided on the right half (upper arm) and the auspicious disc on the lower arm.

8. The figure of Buddha (should be made) as calm, having long ears, white complexion, wearing a cloth, and seated on a lotus with its petals upwards and as conferring favour and protection.

9. (The figure of) Kalki is (to be represented as) a twice-born endowed with a bow and quiver and as destroying the foreigners. Or (he should be represented as) seated on the horse and endowed with a sword, conch, disc and arrow.

10. I shall describe the characteristics of nine forms of Viṣṇu commencing with Vāsudeva. The mace (is placed) on the right half (upper arm) and the excellent disc on the left half (upper arm).

11. The image of Vāsudeva may be made as before or as having four hands or two hands, one holding a conch and the other as conferring boons and having Brahmā and Īśa (Śiva) always on either side.

12. (The figure of) Balarāma (is represented) as holding a plough, mace, club and lotus. (The image of) Pradyumna (is represented as having) thunderbolt and conch on the right arm and the bow in the left arm.

13. Or Pradyumna (is represented) as having the mace resting on the navel with pleasure or holding the bow and arrow. Aniruddha may be (represented as) having four arms. In the same way Lord Nārāyaṇa (may also be represented).

14. (The image of) Brahmā is (represented as having) four faces, four hands, big belly, long beards, matted hair, and (having) swan as the vehicle in front (of him).

15. (There should be) a rosary and a ladle on the right hand and a water-pot and vessel to hold the sacrificial clarified butter. Sarasvatī and Sāvitrī (consorts of Brahmā) (should be placed) on the left and right sides.

16. (The image of) Viṣṇu (is represented) as having eight hands, Garuḍa (the vehicle), (holding) a sword, mace, and arrow in the right hand and as conferring gifts and (holding) the bow and mace in the left hand.

17. (The figure of) Narasiṃha (is represented) (as having) four hands holding the conch and disc and piercing (the body) of the mighty demon (Hiraṇyakaśipu).

18-22. (The figure of) Varāha (is endowed with) four arms holding the (serpent) Śeṣa in (one of) the hands and the earth in the left (hand) and (his consort) Kamalā (Lakṣmī). The earth should be made as resting at the feet and (goddess) Lakṣmī as seated at the feet. Trailokyamohana (one who stupefies the three worlds) (should be represented as riding) the Tārkhya (the eagle-vehicle) and possess eight hands, holding the sword, mace and goad in the right hand and the conch, bow, mace and the noose in the left hand. (Images of) Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī should be endowed with lotus and lute (respectively). Then (the form of) Viśvarūpa (of Viṣṇu) (should be endowed) with the club, noose, spear and arrow in the right hand and conch, bow, mace, noose, tomara (javelin), plough, axe, staff, sword and leather sling in the left hand.

23-24. The Harihara (Śiva and Viṣṇu) form of Viṣṇu (should be placed) on the right or left (side), (being endowed with) twenty hands, four faces and three eyes. He should either be lying on his left or reclining on the water. (He should further be represented) as his leg being held by the goddess Śrī (Lakṣmi). He should also be shown as being attended to by (the female divinities) Vimalā and others. He should also have the fourfaced (Brahmā) in the navel-lotus.

25. The form of Viṣṇu bearing the marks of Rudra and Keśava should hold a spear and sword in the right hand and the mace and disc in the other and be in the company of Gaurī and Lakṣmī (the consorts of Śiva and Viṣṇu).

26. The Hayaśiras (horse-headed) form of Viṣṇu (should be represented) as holding the conch, disc, mace and the Vedas. The left foot should rest on (the serpent) Śeṣa and the right on the back of tortoise.

27. The form of Dattātreya may have two arms, the goddess Śrī (Lakṣmī) being seated on the left lap. The Viṣvaksena form of Viṣṇu (may hold) a disc, mace, plough and conch.