The Hindu god Vishnu has many avatars or reincarnations. One of them is Varaha, the Cosmic Boar [Not Cosmic Bore; though whenever I meet someone who is one I can’t help thinking about this sculpture]. The legend recounts that a demon imprisoned the Earth, known as Prithi or Bhu-Devi, in the depths of the ocean. Vishnu, as the powerful boar, dipped down into the ocean and brought Prithi up to the light of the heavens once again. This rock sculpture showing the event–Prithi is represented as a female figure, a goddess, being lifted in Varaha/Vishnu’s tusks–is found at a site called Udayagiri, which is near the town of Vidisha, India. It dates from the Gupta period, around 400 C.E. In the scene, a host of holy men witness the miracle of Vishnu’s power and the victory of order and good over evil. The Ocean, personified as a male figure with a hood of multiple serpents, worships Varaha. Good to see the good guys winning every now and again. He sort of reminds me of a 1600 year-old superhero, like Superman, who rescues Lois Lane…again. One suspect he had an emphatic “V” painted on his chest at one point.