TheDasavatara shrine is a miniatureHindushrine displaying theten incarnations of the Hindu deityVishnu, carved in ivory and wood. The Dasavatara shrine was made in the late 18th century CE inSouth India. It is presently displayed in theNational Museum,New Delhi.[1]
The termDashavatara refers to the ten mainincarnations of Vishnu, generally displayed together in panels and reliefs.[2]
According to the National Museum's curator, Anamika Pathak, the Dasavatara shrine is decorated with black paint, and the screen and the base of the shrine shows the signature style of craftsmanship of the Mysore school of ivory painting. All the images are fixed on a painted stepped base made of sandalwood. The base, covered completely with ivory sheet, has the traditional South Indian design of flowers, and is decorated with several knobs fixed at the bottom step. Two pillars support the fence in the background on both sides. The backdrop of the shrine is decorated with perforated ivory screen. These lattice work screens are divided into three parts by two small European style columns. An ivory strip on the wooden edges of the steps and base of the shrine depicts a foliage pattern.[3]
There are a total of ten images featured in the Dasavatara shrine, standing upon a total of four steps, each depicting an incarnation of Vishnu.
The first step features theMatsya avatar. The second step features theKurma andVaraha avatars. The third step features theNarasimha,Vamana, andParashurama avatars. The fourth step features theRama,Balarama,Krishna, andKalki avatars.
The Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha and Kalki images are depicted asfour-armed, which conveys the idea of Vishnu's supremacy. All of them hold Vishnu's attributes of theshankha andchakra in their two hands. Their other two hands express theabhayamudra andvaradamudra; Kalki is the exception, holding a sword and a shield.
The Vamana, Parshurama, Rama, Balarama, and Krishna images are portrayed as two-armed, and hold different attributes. Vamana holds anumbrella and akamandalam, while Parashurama carries an axe and a bow. Rama holds a bow-and-arrow, while Balarama carries a mace, his other hand expressing the abhayamudra. Krishna carries a flute and a shankha.
All the incarnations are depicted wearing adhoti as a lower garment, and are adorned with items of jewellery such as necklaces, bangles, armlets, and thekiritamukuta, a crown worn by Vishnu. Vamana is depicted without a crown.