Surrounded by his attributes, Vishnu exudes strength befitting the guide and protector of the faithful. In his four hands he holds traditional symbols: a conch shell for life-giving water, a lotus blossom for rebirth or fertility, a flaming mace, and a solar disk for enlightenment. Female deities surrounding him (his consorts) are symbols of his power. In India, the attributes, style, and representation of Hindu deities are prescribed by religious law. The exceptional quality of the carving, made even more difficult by the hardness of slate, indicates that masterful hands created this superb work of art.