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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1992.283
Title
Krishna Subdues the Serpent King Kaliya (painting, recto; text, verso), folio from a Bhagavata Purana series
Other Titles
Series/Book Title: The 'Dispersed' Bhagavata Purana Series; also known as the 'Palam' Bhagavata Purana or 'Sa Mitharam - Sa Nana' Bhagavata Purana.
Classification
Manuscripts
Work Type
manuscript folio
Date
c. 1520 - 1540
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-Agra region
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/213690

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions
17.5 x 23 cm (6 7/8 x 9 1/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. Gordon Douglas III, Class of 1957
Accession Year
1992
Object Number
1992.283
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
The folio depicts the blue-skinned Hindu god Krishna’s subjugation of the Serpent King Kaliya in the waters of the river Yamuna. The artist depicts Krishna three times to illustrate the various stages of his victory: Krishna jumping from a tree on the riverbank to handle Kaliya after hearing news of Kaliya’s poison affecting the river Yamuna’s water, Kaliya ensnaring Krishna in his coils at the bottom of the river Yamuna, and the final moment of triumph when Krishna subdued Kaliya under his foot by springing onto his head. During the long struggle, the people of Vrindavan hear the news of Krishna jumping into the river. In the registers on the left, the artist depicts the moments when Yashoda and Nanda faint at hearing the news and the cowherds gather at the banks of the river. Krishna’s elder half-brother Balarama, who has climbed up the tree to check in on Krishna, assures them of Krishna’s safety. Seeing Krishna trample over Kaliya’s hoods, his wives surround Krishna and, with joined palms, pray that he show mercy to their husband. Kaliya also recognizes Krishna's greatness and surrenders, promising he will not poison the waters of the Yamuna River. Even divine beings partake in the following celebrations, depicted as a row of female musicians and apsaras showering garlands on Krishna.

This painting belongs to the 'Dispersed' Bhagavata Purana series, produced in the early 16th century, possibly in Mathura. The series, possibly consisting of 360 such folios, is based on the tenth book of the Bhagavata Purana, which describes the story of Krishna, particularly his childhood and youth. This series was one of South Asia's earliest illustrated Bhagavata Purana manuscripts. Each illustration is also accompanied by the text corresponding to the image on the reverse, written in Sanskrit. Other folios from the same Bhagavata Purana series in the Harvard Art Museum’s collection are objects 1963.145, 1974.124, 1974.125, 1974.126, 1974.127, 1995.66, 1995.67, 1995.68. Caurapancasika-group style.

Text on Verso: Bhagavata Purana, Book Ten, Chapter 16, verse 1-14 (first half).

Exhibition History

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu