The three major gods of Hinduism are Brahma, the god of creation; Shiva, the god of destruction; and Vishnu, the god who preserves and protects the universe. During the Pala period, Hinduism and Buddhism flourished in conjunction, and the worship of Vishnu was particularly robust, led by the Vaishnava sect. Vishnu was generally petitioned through private faith, rather than through ceremonial rites. Considered to be a gentle and benevolent deity, Vishnu often takes the form of humans or various animals in his role as the protector of our world. This stele demonstrates the characteristic iconography of Vishnu from the Pala period. Vishnu stands at the center, flanked by smaller images of Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort, and Saraswati, the goddess of river waters. He is wearing a tall jeweled crown and an assortment of accessories, including necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and earrings. His four hands hold a lotus flower, chakra, conch shell, and mace, respectively.