Goddess Sarasvati

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In this rare representation of Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge and the arts is seen riding astride Vishnu’s eagle Garuda, flying high above rolling mountain ranges. Rather than holding her characteristic book of learning and her favored instrument, the vina, she displays the signature attributes of her Lord Vishnu in her four hands, the discus, conch, lotus and mace. She is stern and martial, more akin to Vishnu himself than to the gentle goddess of knowledge. Likewise, her body has assumed the blue hue of Vishnu rather than her characteristic white complexion. In the Bengali Vaishnava tradition Sarasvati is considered the first wife of Vishnu.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art