Mask of Vaikuntha Vishnu, late 5th century. Learn more about 5th century masks
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A benevolent form of the Hindu deity Shiva in which he appears with the bull Nandi, his mount or vahana. The bull-mount is referred to in Sanskrit as vrishavahana. Meaning ‘bull-mounted one’, the name Vrishabhavahana — or Rishabhavahana, Vrishabhantikamurti or Vrishavahanamurti — is an epithet for Shiva in the Shiva Purana and other scriptures in which he grants blessings to devotees. In art, Shiva as Vrishabhavahana is typically shown leaning on or riding the bull.