Vishnu reclining on Shesha

Description

Originally produced as oleo-lithographs by the Ravi Varma Press in Mumbai, these prints became foundational icons in households across India, fostering a shared visual language of divinity.

Historical context

In this sublime depiction, we witness the Lord of Preservation, Vishnu, resting upon the coiled, thousand-headed serpent Shesha amidst the cosmic ocean. Beside him sits Lakshmi, his consort, the embodiment of grace and abundance. They are surrounded by celestial companions, including the divine musician Narada and the faithful Garuda, while Lord Brahma emerges from the lotus rooted in Vishnu's navel to begin the cycle of creation. This work captures a moment of profound cosmic tranquility: it serves as a bridge between the mortal realm and the eternal, inviting the viewer into a space of meditative stillness where time itself seems to dissolve into the divine presence.