Nyaogradhashayin form of Vishnu is associated with Vishnu as
a child floating on nyagrodha leaf.
Nyaogradhashayin form – the child Krishna floating
on ficus leaf – in Hinduism is a symbolic representation of the first form of
life on earth (or the only form of life).
As per Hindu tradition, at the end of one cycle of creation
the heat produced by Surya, the sun god, reduces all that is on earth into
ashes. This continues for eight thousand yugas. Then Vayu, the wind god, blows
relentlessly for many years and huge clouds are formed. It rains incessantly
creating a great flood – deluge. The entire earth remains under water for
millions of years.
On this water lies, Child form of Vishnu (Krishna) on Ficus
Leaf known as nyagrodha.
This wonderful incident is mentioned in the Markandeya
Purana.
Markandeya Rishi was blessed that he will be able to witness
the great deluge. The Rishi saw destruction all around. Water submerged
everything. For millions of years there was only water all around the Rishi.
Finally, He noticed the Nyaogradhashayin – Krishna floating on the
ficus leaf. Child Krishna was sucking His toe and lying on the leaf.
When Markandeya went near, the baby took a breath and the
Rishi was sucked in. Inside the Rishi witnessed thousands of universes and
myriad of living forms. When the baby exhaled, Rishi came back to earth.