Chakra-Purusha, the Personified Discus Weapon of Vishnu

10th–early 11th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 240
Early in the evolution of Hindu iconography, a convention emerged of representing the weapons of the gods as minor deities in human form. The ayudya-purusha (weapon-man) anthropomorphic forms evolved uniquely in South India as freestanding icons, worthy of worship independent of their source deity—in this case, Vishnu. This personified weapon is thus revered as an ansa, a partial incarnation of the god himself.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Chakra-Purusha, the Personified Discus Weapon of Vishnu
  • Period: Chola period
  • Date: 10th–early 11th century
  • Culture: India (Tamil Nadu)
  • Medium: Copper alloy
  • Dimensions: H. 22 3/4 in. (57.8 cm); W. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm); D. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Louis Herlands and Tommy Yang Guo Gifts and The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Foundation Fund, 2016
  • Object Number: 2016.429
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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