Chakra-Purusha, the Personified Discus Weapon of Vishnu
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
- 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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