About the symbolism in the four hands of Hindu God Vishnu, Gopal Uttar Tapani Upanishad says:
"In my lower right hand, which represents the revolving or creative tendency, I hold the conch, symbol of the five elements.
In the upper right hand, which represents the cohesive tendency I hold the discus, shining like an infant sun, symbol of the mind.
In the upper left hand, which represents the tendency towards dispersion and liberation, I hold the lotus, symbol of the causal power of illusion, from which the universe rises.
In my lower left hand, which represents the notion of individual existence, is the mace, symbol of primeval knowledge."