Ashtabhuja (Eight-Armed) Vishnu
Carved into the left-side extension of Cave 3, this beautiful sculptural relief of Vishnu portrays him with eight hands, each holding a symbolic object.
Vishnu, one of the Trimurti, is the supreme god who preserves order and maintains harmony in the universe.
The carvings of Vishnu with standard iconography show him with four arms, but in this relief, he has four additional arms. This feature indicates that he is Maha Vishnu (Great Vishnu) to whom Cave 3 is dedicated. Because of his role as the primary creator, i.e., the creator of the creator, Vishnu is known as Maha Vishnu.
Check the Vishnu page for a description of Vishnu’s standard iconography. Check the Maha Vishnu page for a description of Maha Vishnu.
As you can see from the image, Vishnu is wearing beautiful jewelry around his neck, arms, hands and waist, and a tall crown on his head. He is standing elegantly with a stern face. Each of his hands holds an object. Here are his four signature objects:
1. Chakra (A disc-like weapon) – right hand, first from the top
2. Gadā (Mace) – right hand, third from the top
3. Padma (Lotus) – missing, left hand, second from the top
4. Shanka (Conch shell) – left hand, first from the top
Here are objects in the other four hands:
1. Dhanush (Bow) – left hand, third from the top
2. Bāna (Arrow) – right hand, second from top
3. Sword (partly broken) – right hand in front
4. Rope – left hand in front
As the name suggests, Cave 3 is the third of the four rock-cut caves carved out of a red sandstone hill near Badami, Karnataka, India.
Check the other Ashtabhuja Vishnu sculptures:
– Ashtabhuja Vishnu in Angkor Wat, Cambodia
– Ashtabhuja Vishnu mounted on the outer wall of the Somanathapura Keshava Temple in Karnataka, India
Explore More About Badami Caves
– Badami
– Cave Temples of Badami
– Badami Cave 1, Badami Cave 2, Badami Cave 3, Badami Cave 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole
Explore Elephanta Caves
– Cave Temples of Elephanta
– Elephanta Main Cave (Cave 1), Elephanta Main Cave Ground Plan
– The Mystery of Elephanta Cave 2
– The Smaller Caves of Elephanta: Caves 2, 3, 4, and 5
– How to Reach Elephanta Caves
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