The sculpture of Vishnu, exhibited at Thalang National Museum, Phuket.

Here, in the middle of the room is the magnificent sculpture of ‘Vishnu Madhyama Yogasathanakamurti’ who has been standing for at least 1,100 - 1,200 years. He has become one of the most significant and famous artifacts in Thailand. First found in Khao Phra Narai archaeological source (Khao Wiang) in the Kampong District of Phang Nga province, he is now exhibited at the Thalang National Museum in Phuket.

A high relief sculpture, free standing and perfectly preserved, Vishnu cannot be missed as you enter this exhibition room. He is 235cm in height, 85cm in width and 25cm in depth, which is double the size of me. This large and impressive scale represents great power and energy. Apart from his size he is definitely not a regular-looking guy. He has four arms, his sense of fashion is fabulously captivating and as we see, his title is rather extraordinary too.

Who is he?

Vishnu is one of the Hindu Trinity, along with Shiva and Brahma. In this ideology, the universe is created, maintained and destroyed. Vishnu is known as the preserver god, while Shiva is the destroyer god and Brahma is the creator god. Vishnu is the Supreme Divinity of the Vaishnavism sect, one of major traditions of Hinduism. The God of Preservation is typically portrayed with four arms holding different icons – a conch shell, chakra, club and lotus flower. He is usually depicted wearing the finest garments and gems. Please be reminded that there are twenty-four combinations of Vishnu’s hand gestures and the items he holds. These different iconography represent his special forms.

In this particular sculpture, his upper right and left arm in the back are missing as they were not attached to the sculpture’s body, and made them more subject to damage. However, his right arm in the front performs Abhaya mudra, which symbolizes protection and the dispelling of fear, while his front left hand is placed at his waist. These two arms alone were enough evidence to identify the representation of the sculpture.

According to a well-known Thai Art historian, Chedha Tingsanchali, the sculpture’s style of dress and ornaments clearly states that this is the Lord Vishnu. The cylinder crown, a long dhoti with a festooned belt, stomach bands, waist bands and the sacred thread worn over the left shoulder and diagonally across the chest (upavita or yajnopavita), together with its two front arms proves his findings. The professor could even pinpoint that this sculpture is a fine example of the late Pallava period in South Indian Art history. (More information, please watch associate professor Chedha Tingsanchali (Ph.D.)’s presentation at Thalang National Museum (in Thai language). https://www.facebook.com/1836550776431130/videos/761639154587370)

The relationship between Vishnu and Yoga?

We know he is the Lord Vishnu, but what about his middle and last name - Madhyama Yogasathanakamurti? Does he burst out a yoga move here? Does yoga have anything to do with him at all?

I listen to the link I mentioned above and note that Professor Tingsanchali refers to the very interesting ancient book, Vaikanas-akama. In this book it classifies his whole name.

The sculpture of Vishnu Madhyama Yogasathanakamurti, exhibited at Thalang National Museum, Phuket.

image: https://www.facebook.com/ThalangNationalMuseum/photos/3583661068386750

Apart from the iconography, Vedic mythology also discusses the concept of the worshipper. In this exhibition room there are four exhibits that were found together in the excavation: the main sculpture Vishnu, the yogi kneeling down, the remaining part of a woman’s head and a lotus platform in front of Lord Vishnu on which he stands. The two sculptures of the man and woman by Vishnu's side are considered his worshippers. Therefore, Madhyama, indicates a medium amount of worshippers. Only one worshipper or a bigger group than two would grant sculptures different names.

Dividing his surmane Yogasathanakamurti into three parts; Yoga, sathanaka and murti, will allow us to make a clear meaning.

Let us start with the word ‘Yoga’. Yoga here in this context describes yogi or ‘Brahmins caste’, the top of the hierarchy in the old social stratification in India. It is actually named after the man who kneels down by the right-hand side of Lord Vishnu. His sitting position, his arm position, hair style and most importantly his sacred thread yajnopavita, worn across his chest, are significant clues for an art historian to discover his identity as a yogi. If the main sculpture was meant to be worshipped by kings or normal people the worshipping figures would be different as well as the names.

Vishnu and the two yogis kneeling down by his side at Trimurti cave, Mamallapuram, India.

image: https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/mahabalipuram-central-monuments-arjuna-penance/

‘Sathanaka’ specifies the position of the sculpture which means standing pose. The sitting or lying position would again cause the sculpture to be named differently.

Last but not least, murti is a Sanskrit word for an image or statue of a deity in Hindu culture.

So that is the overview of ‘Vishnu Madhyama Yogasathanakamurti’, a beautiful, large-scale sculpture exhibited at Thalang National Museum in Phuket. Still, I could not conclude if he performs a yoga pose, but he certainly has many things to do with yogic and historical aspects.

I am so grateful to have crossed paths with him at the museum. This statue is the only one of its kind in Thailand and lives in Phuket! He is the great Lord for many believers and has been very kind in guiding me to understand Yoga through Art history as it connects the present moment with the past in human activities.