Vishnu accompanied by his wives riding on Garuda who carries a cobra. Chromolithograph by R. Varma.

Vishnu is seen as a god of preservation and restoration powers in the forms of his incarnations. According to the Brāhmanas in the Mahābhārata and Purānas he is the second member of the Hindu triad, the embodiment of the Satawaguna, the quality of goodness and mercy. This print is notable for Ravi Varma's majestic portrayal of Vishnu's bird-transport Garuda, who is shown in traditional pictures as an ungainly creature with human legs