Vaishnavi Dancing
9th century. Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan, India. Red sandstone.
Overall: 29 1/2 × 14 1/4 × 6 in. (74.93 × 36.2 × 15.24 cm)
This dynamically posed figure is Vaishnavi, who-like Varahi at the far right-is one of the Matrikas (Mothers). Though their number varies, the Matrikas were most often shown in sets of seven, accompanied by Ganesha and Shiva.
As the shakti (power) of the god Vishnu, Vaishnavi holds his attributes-flaming discus, conch shell, mace-and wears his miter-shaped crown.
Vishnu's bird-man mount, Garuda, stands to her right, paired with a female attendant on her left. Shown in the act of dancing, she probably comes from a set of Matrikas who all danced to the beat of Shiva- shown as Lord of Music (Vinadhara) or Lord of Dance (Nataraja).
(via Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)