49 - Characteristics of forms of 'Fish etc. of Vishnu

The Lord said:

1. Ishall describe to you the characteristics of the ten manifestations (of Vishnu) beginning with the Fish. The Fish (form of Vishnu)should resemble a fish. The Tortoise (form)should resemble a tortoise. 

2. The terrestrial boar (manifestation)should have a human body and as carrying a mace and other (weapons) in the right hand, and the conch, (the goddess) Lakshmi or a lotus in the left. 

3. Or (the goddess) (is represented) as resting on the left elbow and the earth and (the serpent) Ananta at the fect. The installation of the figure secures for a person a kingdom and (such a person) gets across the ocean of mundane existence. 

4. The Man-lion image (should be represented) as having a wide open mouth and having the killed dcmon (Hiranyakasipu) on the left thigh. His chestshould wear a garland and (his arms)should hold disc and mace. 

5. The Dwarf-form may hold an umbrella and a stick or have four arms. The figure of Parasurama may hold the bow and arrow, a sword and an axe. 

6. (The figure of) Ramashould have the bow, arrow, sword, conch or two hands or may have four arms holding a mace and plough. 

7. The plough may be provided on the left half (upper arm) and the auspicious conch on the lower arm. The mace may be provided on the right half (upper arm) and the auspicious disc on the lower arm. 

8. The figure of Buddha (should be made) as calm, having long ears, white complexion, wearing a cloth, and seated on a lotus with its petals upwards and as conferring favour and protection. 

9. (The figure of) Kalki is (to be represented as) a twiceborn endowed with a bow and quiver and as destroying the foreigners. Or (heshould be represented as) seated on the horse and endowed with a sword, conch, disc and arrow. 

10. Ishall describe the characteristics of nine forms of Vishņu commencing with Väsudeva. The mace (is placed) on the right half (upper arm) and the excellent disc on the left half (upper arm). 

11. The image of Vasudeva may be made as before or as having four hands or two hands, one holding a conch and the other as conferring boons and having Brahma and Isha (Siva) always on either side 

12. (The figure of) Balarama (is represented) as holding a plough, mace, club and lotus. (The image of) Pradyumna (is represented as having) thunderbolt and conch on the right arm and the bow in the left arm. 

13. Or Pradyumna (is represented) as having the mace resting on the navel with pleasure or holding the bow and arrow. Aniruddha may be (represented as) having four arms. In the same way Lord Narayana (may also be represented). 

14. (The image of) Brahma is (represented as having) four faces, four hands, big belly, long beards, matted hair, and (having) swan as the vehicle in front (of him). 

15. (Thereshould be) a rosary and a ladle on the right hand and a water-pot and vessel to hold the sacrificial clarified butter. Sarasvati and Savitri (consorts of Brahma) (should be placed) on the left and right sides. 

16. (The image of) Vishņu (is represented) as having eight hands, Garuda (the vehicle), (holding) a sword, mace, and arrow in the right hand and as conferring gifts and (holding) the bow and mace in the left hand. 

17. (The figure of) Narasimha (is represented) (as having) four hands holding the conch and disc and piercing (the body) of the mighty demon (Hiranyakasipu). 

18-22. (The figure of) Varäha (is endowed with) four arms holding the (serpent) Śesha in (one of) the hands and the earth in the left (hand) and (his consort) Kamalà (Lakshmi). The earthshould be made as resting at the feet and (goddess) Lakshmi as seated at the feet. Trailokyamohana (one who stupefies the three worlds) (should be represented as riding) the Tärkhya (the eagle-vehicle) and possess eight hands, holding the sword, mace and goad in the right hand and the conch, bow, mace and the noose in the left hand. (Images of) Lakshmi and Sarasvatishould be endowed with lotus and lute (respectively). Then (the form of) Visvarūpa (of Vishņu) (should be endowed) with the club, noose, spear and arrow in the right hand and conch, bow, mace, noose, tomara (javelin), plough, axe, staff, sword and leather sling in the left hand. 

23-24. The Harihara (Śiva and Vishnu) form of Vishņu (should be placed) on the right or left (side), (being endowed with) twenty hands, four faces and three eyes. Heshould either be lying on his left or reclining on the water. (Heshould further be represented) as his leg being held by the goddess þri (Lakshmi). Heshould also beshown as being attended to by (the female divinities) Vimal, and others. Heshould also have the four faced (Brahma) in the navel-lotus. 

25. The form of Vishņu bearing the marks of Rudra and Keśhavashould hold a spear and sword in the right hand and the mace and disc in the other and be in the company of Gauri and Lakshmi (the consorts of Siva and Vishņu). 

26. The Hayasiras (horse-headed) form of Vishņu (should be represented) as holding the conch, disc, mace and the Vedas. The left footshould rest on (the serpent) Sesha and the right on the back of tortoise. 

27. The form of Dattatreya may have two arms, the goddess Śri (Lakshmi) being seated on the left lap. Thę Vishvaksena form of Vishņu (may hold) a disc, mace, plough and conch.