Vishnu with Consorts - 02

Oleograph of 'Vishnu with Consorts' from the 1930s. Vishnu is riding on his vahana (vehicle) - the mythical bird Garuda, and on his two sides are Sridevi and Bhudevi. Garuda is generally known as a protector with power to swiftly go anywhere, ever watchful and an enemy of the serpent, represented here as a golden cobra clutched in his talons. The blue-skinned Vishnu carries the disc (chakra) - symbol of speed of thought, and the conch (shankha) - symbol of the five existential elements in his upper hands. In his lower hands he holds a lotus symbolizing purity and transcendence, and the gada (mace), a symbol of knowledge and power. His consorts wear red saris and hold chauris (fly whisks) in their outstretched arms.