Crowned with a hood of seven snakes, this form of Vishnu is associated with a well-known creation myth. In the myth the god reclines on the serpent Shesha, who keeps the god afloat in the primordial ocean prior to the creation of the universe. Drowsing between the cyclical destructions of the universe, Vishnu suddenly rouses to create it anew. This manifestation is known by many names, such as, “Narayana Lying on the Water” and “Sleeping Vishnu.” In this sculpture he stands upright, perhaps having just awakened from his cosmic slumber.