Jnana Vigraham

The overall iconography incorporates aesthetic design elements, Sanskrit words of reverence, and symbolic depiction of Guru's spiritual reform initiative, concepts of human equality and knowledge (arivu).

The aesthetic elements of the design of a Jñāna Vigraham conform to ancient eastern philosophic and religious iconography and carvings commonly seen across Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

It was primarily intended as a trendsetter to improve the quality of Narayana Guru's statues, kept in homes and in small chapel-like places of reverence and worship called 'Guru Mandirams'.

It is a lifelike figure of Narayana Guru, supposedly in his mid-life, in a seated posture and with hands in the ‘dharmachakra mudra’, the gesture of teaching usually interpreted as turning the wheel of righteousness.

The lower portion of the board figures the relief carvings of two elephants in outward facing and welcoming posture signifying Narayana Guru's openness to the views and beliefs of other religions and philosophies.