Underground Shrine Queens Stepwell Patan

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

Page 18

Visņu : Various Forms
on the walls of the wells and step-wells. Thus a direct link of Sesaśāyi or Jalašāyi Visņu is established with Visņu. Hence its importance in Queen's step-well is such that as many as three panels have been sculpted one over the other, facing east wherein each image is facing the respective window of each storey.
Vişņu is shown as reclining on the cosmic waters holding conch in his left hand, right hand is broken, probably it held the lotus. The other right hand the head with the mace lying nearby. Brahmā is shown as seated on the lotus connected by the stalk emerging from Vişņu's naval. The whole body of the Sesa Nāga is lying like a couch. The hoods of the serpent do not hover like a canopy over the reclining head of Vişņu as is commonly seen but they roll in like a pillow to give support to Visņu's head. Lakşmi the divine consort, is sitting near His feet ever serving the supreme. She is the creative faculty of the Lord or Mahā Māyā, the ever active principle that pulsates in the entire creation. She is also called Bhūdevi or the earth goddess where the poets have described the wavy ocean as her dress. The great Lord Vişņu is the supreme artist "Kalanidhi”. This is so beautifully narrated by Sri Vallabhācārya.
नमामि हृदये शेषे लीलाक्षीरब्धिशायिनम् ।
लक्ष्मीसहस्रलीलाभिः सेव्यमानं कलानिधिम् ॥ Just behind the image are carved the demons and gods engaged in a fierce battle. There are five warriors on each side. Above this rectangle panel is another pattikā showing the 9 planets popularly called the Navagraha Pattikā. Over this panel is a serene image of Lord Visņu sitting absorbed in a deep meditation. He is Yogeśvara seated in the Padmāsana pose or sitting in lotus pose. This reminds us of the hallowed image of Lord Badarinātha where Vişņu is meditating for the welfare of his creation. This is a unique conception of God who is highly concerned for His creation and mankind at large.
This panel of seşaśāyi Vişņu is repeated thrice keeping in view the astronomical position. When the light of the Sun enters through the respective windows facing these images it lights the panels directly. Michel Pastel tells us, “The step-well is almost due East since it is oriented 87.23° on the compass (without magnet correction). The Sun on or about the equinox must light up Vişnu, across the forest - of pillars at a precise time, perhaps three times, since it is super imposed in three niches. It is to Him that the shrine is dedicated. He is originally the Solar Deity.”
Though Jalašāyī Vişnu's images are common in the Jalāsayas or water reservoirs, in Nepal a large image of Viņņu is supine reclining on the water itself. But we have several other reclining images of Visņu worshipped in the temples or shrines