Gajendramoksham - Kerala Mural Archive

Alangad, ASG_P043 — Vishnu: detail view 1 of 6

Detail Photos

Alangad, ASG_P043 — Vishnu: detail view 2 of 6

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Alangad, ASG_P043 — Vishnu: detail view 6 of 6

Alangad, ASG_P043 — Vishnu: full panel view

Deity: Vishnu Location: Alangad Sree Santana Gopala Murthy Temple Theme: Non-narrative

Blue-skinned Vishnu is seen atop his mount Garuda, about to release his weapon sudarsana chakra at the crocodile Makara. Garuda is holding a snake in its claws. Sreedevi and Bhoodevi are on either sides of Vishnu The elephant Gajendra in seen standing over the river, crying and holding up a lotus flower in distress. His leg is being attacked by the crocodile Makara emerging from the water.

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: This scene shows Gajendra or the elephant being attacked by a crocodile Makara, but in a moment of devotion, prays to Vishnu holding up a lotus flower. Vishnu appears atop his mount Garuda and rescues Gajendra from the clutches of the crocodile. The elephant is actually the reincarnation of the devoted King Indradyumna who was transformed into an elephant due to the curse of Agastya. As Gajendra surrendered himself completely to Vishnu, he attained moksha. This tale invites the devotee to completely surrender themselves to God in order to attain moksha.
Episode: Non narrative

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Vishnu
Secondary Figures: Bhoodevi, Gajendra, Garuda, Makara, Sreedevi
Iconographic Form: Vishnu
Iconographic Attributes: Blue-skinned, six-armed Vishnu is seen atop saffron-skinned Garuda. Garuda has a golden-coloured snake in it's claws. Vishnu is holding Sreedevi and Bhoodevi by the waist in two of his hands, a shankh or conch, Sudarshana chakra are being held in his other hands. Gajendra is black-skinned and is depicted as crying out in prayer while holding up a lotus flower towards the sky. The crocodile is minuscule compared to other figures.
Visual & Formal Features: Background pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 43
Adjacent Panels: Kadhakali and Venugopalan (2)

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple authorities
Date of Documentation: 08/08/2024
Artist: Neelakantan Ilayath
Identifier: ASG_P043
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.