Underground Shrine Queens Stepwell Patan

Author(s): Jaikishandas Sadani
Publisher: B J Institute of Learning & Research

Page 17

2. VIŞŅU : VARIOUS FORMS
Visņu is the supreme Lord who sustains the whole creation, after all he is the source of the entire creation. Brahmā, the creator himself is born from a lotus emerging from vişņu's naval, which we shall see in the three seşaśāyi images sculpted in the step-well. Queen Udayamati, who was gifted with great artistic sensibility, dedicated the step-well to Him.
The theme of Visnu reclining on the several hooded Eternal Snake or Ananta Nāga or Šesa, the indivisible one floats on the cosmic waters is very popular in Indian Iconography, ancient lores or purāņas, and the Indian literature of all languages. Such is the fascination of this wonderful image, that it went beyond Indian shores. We find Coleridge and Shelley profoundly moved by it.
I should much wish Like the Indian Visņu to float along an infinite ocean Cradled on the flower of the lotus and wake once In million years for a minute And go to sleep again. (Coleridge). Therefore from natures inner shrine Where gods and fiends in worship bend Majestic spirit, be it Thine The flame to seize the veil to rend When vast snake Eternity In charmed sleep doth even lie.
(Shelley : Daemon of the World, pg. 21) The vast "snake Eternity” is the anantanāga. The rending of the veil is the removal of the veil or curtain of Māyā which is attained by worshipping in the inner shrine. What could be more suitable a place than the Queen's step-well to install these beautiful images !
The images of Vişņu reclining on the anantanāga has been described by three names, Jalaśāyī, Sesaśāyī, Anantaśāyī. In Gujarat Jalašāyi and Seșaśāyi reclining on the coiled glossy cushioned bed of the Seșa-Nāga floating on ocean-waters is very common. The image of Jalaśāyi-Visņu is very popular in Kundas or reservoirs, and