The beautiful Patachitra painting of Lord Hayagriva or Lord Matsya with Lakshmi is given a refine and detail treatment. Lord Hayagriva is an incarnation of the Lord Vishnu, who in His Matsya incarnation protected the Vedas.    

Long ago, when life first appeared on Earth, a terrible demon terrorized the people on Earth, who prevented sages and saints from performing their rituals. He even stole the Holy Vedas, taking refuge in a conch shell in the depths of the ocean. Brahma, one of the Trinity gods and the creator of the world, approached Vishnu for help and the latter immediately assumed the form of a fish and plunged into the ocean. He killed the demon by ripping open his stomach and retrieved the Vedas. Four forms emerged from the demon's stomach representing the four Vedas: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda, and Yajur Veda.

The beautiful painting depicts the four-handed Hayagriva looking at His consort Lakshmi, who is sitting on His lap.