Vishnu Liberating the Elephant Gajendra

In the ancient myth of Gajendramoksha, first told in the eighth book of the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu descends to liberate the elephant Gajendra, a devotee, shown here ensnared by vines in a lotus pond (a deviation from the standard iconography, in which a crocodile attacks the hapless elephant). After Gajendra pleads for intervention from Vishnu, who instantly liberates him, he attains moksha (spiritual release from rebirth) and accompanies the god to his celestial abode of Vaikuntha. The Kangra artist has evoked the warmth of pure devotion (bhakti).