forms and manifestations of Vishnu

Hampi is home to countless shrines dedicated to Vishnu. One can see a number of sculptures depicting Vishnu in various forms. The ten forms- Dashavatara -is easy to identify, however the other forms are less known. I too was ignorant of Vishnu's manifestations until I came across this particular site. Under the overhanging rocks are three sets of sculptures. Let's move on to the following images and take a closer look. 

A board planted close by describes this site as follows:

ವಿಷ್ಣುವಿನ ದಶಾವತಾರದ ಉಬ್ಬು ಶಿಲ್ಪಗಳು ಕೋಟಿಲಿಂಗದ ಪೂರ್ವಕ್ಕೆ ಬೃಹತ್ ಬಂಡೆಗಳುಳ್ಳ ಕಲ್ಲಾಸರೆಯಲ್ಲಿವೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಮೂರು ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕ ಬೃಹತ್ ಬೃಹ ಬಂಡೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹಂಸಿಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಅಪರೂಪದ ಹಾಗೂ ವಿಷ್ಣುವಿನ ವೈವಿಧ್ಯಮಯ ರೂಪಗಳುಳ್ಳ ಶಿಲ್ಪ ಪಟ್ಟಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡೆಯಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಅವುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ತರದ ಬಂಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಷ್ಣುವಿನ ದಶಾವತಾರಗಳಾದ ಮತ್ತ್ವ, ಕೂರ್ಮ, ವರಾಹ, ನರಸಿಂಹ, ವಾಮನ, ಪರಶುರಾಮ, ರಾಮ. ಬಲರಾಮ, ಮತ್ತು ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ವಿಷ್ಣು ಶಿಲ್ಪಗಳಿವೆ. ದಕ್ಷಿಣದ ಬಂಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನರಸಿಂಹನ ವಿವಿಧ ರೂಪಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಮಧ್ಯದ ವಿಶಾಲವಾದ ಬಂಡೆಗಲ್ಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಷ್ಣುವಿನ ೨೪ ವಿವಿಧ ರೂಪಗಳಿವೆ. ಅವುಗಳೆಂದರೆ ಕೇಶವ, ನಾರಾಯಣ, ಮಾಧವ. ಗೋವಿಂದ, ವಿಷ್ಣು. ಮಧುಸೂದನ, ತ್ರಿವಿಕ್ರಮ, ವಾಮನ, ಶ್ರೀಧರ, ಹೃಷಿಕೇಶ, ಪದ್ಮನಾಭ, ದಾಮೋದರ, ಸಂಕರ್ಷಣ, ವಾಸುದೇವ, ಪ್ರದ್ಯುಮ್ನ, ಅನಿರುದ್ಧ. ಪುರುಷೋತ್ತಮ, ಅಧೋಕ್ಷಜ, ನರಸಿಂಹ. ಅಚ್ಯುತ, ಜನಾರ್ಧನ, ಉಪೇಂದ್ರ, ಹರಿ, ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಶಿಲ್ಪಗಳಾಗಿವೆ. ಇವುಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಯಾರೂಪದ ಹೆಸರುಗಳನ್ನೂ ಕಡೆದು ನಮೂದಿಸಿರುವುದು ವಿಶೇಷ. ದಕ್ಷಿಣದ ಬಂಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಠಲ, ವಿಷ್ಣು, ನರಸಿಂಹ ಮತ್ತು ಉಘ್ರ ನರಸಿಂಹನು ಹಿರಣ್ಯ ಕಶ್ಯಪುವಿನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹೋರಾಡುವ, ಹಿರಣ್ಯ ಕಶ್ಯಪುವಿನ ಕರುಳನ್ನು ಬಗಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಉಬ್ಬು ರಚನೆಗಳಿವೆ. ಇವುಗಳು ಪುರಾಣದ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ಸೂಚಿಸುತ್ತವೆ.

To the east of Kotilinga stand massive steep boulders which have unique carvings of the many incarnations and forms of Vishnu. One can see these on each of the three separate boulders. Dashavatara sculptures are carved on the northen boulder and they include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama and Krishna. The southern boulder has the various forms of Narasimha sculpted on it. The boulder in the centre has a uniquely carved compilation of the 24 different manifestations of Vishnu. These incarnations include Keshava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu. Trivikrama, Vamana, Shridhara, Madhusudhana. Hrishikesha, Padmanabha, Damodara, Sankarshana, Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Purushottama, Adhokshaja, Narasimha, Achyuta, Janardhana, Upendra, Hari and Sri Krishna. What is exceptional is that these names are mentioned on each carving. On the southern boulder, there is a bas-relief sculpture of Vittala, Vishnu, Narasimha, and Ugra Narasimha is shown fighting with Hiranyakashyapa, clawing at his stomach. These reliefs indicate the importance given to the stories of puranas (mythology) at the time of Vijayanagara.

On this boulder are nine of the ten Avatars- Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama and Krishna.

The boulder in the middle has a long sculptures with 21 characters. However the site description gives out 24 names: Keshava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu. Trivikrama, Vamana, Shridhara, Madhusudhana. Hrishikesha, Padmanabha, Damodara, Sankarshana, Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Purushottama, Adhokshaja, Narasimha, Achyuta, Janardhana, Upendra, Hari and Sri Krishna.

Lastly on the third boulder is a set of sculptures showing Vittala, Vishnu, Narasimha, and Ugra Narasimha. Next to Vittala is an engraving of Hanuman doing namaskara to the 21 manifestations of Vishnu. The engraving seems to be a later addition.

Apart from this groups of sculptures one can see a sculpture of Anantashayana on one of the boulders close by.

......... 

paintings at Anjanadri Betta

Dec 2024. It was an early morning visit to Anjandri with Sridhar. I happened to notice a few paintings on the way up, and at the top as well.

This painting of Shabari offering fruits to Rama and Lakshman. Shabari was an ascetic known for her devotion towards Sri Rama. Her story is a part of Ramayana. During Rama-Lakshmana's search for Sita, they arrive at sage Matanga's ashram where Shabari resided. Shabari, who was awaiting Rama's darshan had collected berries which were offered to Rama. It is said that Shabari tasted a bit of every berry to make sure they were good enough to be offered to Rama. Such was her devotion and love for Rama.

The next painting is a circular infographic with three rings. At the core is a picture of Rama and Anjaneya hugging each other. Rings around the core have Devanagari text of terms associated to spiritual practices, names of four Vedas and lines praising our holy epic Ramayana.

Next is Vishnu Nama painted on a rock which is next to the path connecting the hill's base to summit. The painting seems to be a few years old since it has faded a bit. One has to admire the artistic appeal of depiction of the holy symbol.

Close by are two more lovely paintings- Hanuman as a youth and as a child. Whoever are the artists, their creations are marvelous.

Talking about paintings, one must see the painting of Rama-Lakshmana meeting Sugreeva at Chintamani.

.........