Varaha

Pallava, late 7th century AD
Varaha Cave Temple, Mamallapuram

Varaha lifts up the Earth Goddess, Bhu Devi, affectionately nuzzling her breast as he rescues her from the naga king (adoring, below Varaha's feet) who had abducted her under the ocean. Varaha's size in relation to the other participants, and his realistically modeled features, illustrate the naturalistic tendency of Pallava art, as compared to the Gupta representation of the same story at Udayagiri.

In contrast to the triumphalism of the Udayagiri sculpture, the present work evokes the tender relationship between Bhu Devi and her rescuer, in a mood of quiet devotion.