Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhan, from a Persian translation of the Bhagavata Purana, c. 1625

1700s

Southern India, Deccan

Medium

gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Measurements

Sheet: 32.3 x 24.1 cm (12 11/16 x 9 1/2 in.); Image: 23.5 x 18 cm (9 1/4 x 7 1/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Eugene and Joan Savitt in memory of Dr. and Mrs. E.K. Zaworski, her grandparents 2006.203

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

This page is from a rare, illustrated Persian translation of a Hindu sacred text.

Description

Indra, king of the gods and controller of rain and thunder, was furious when Krishna decided to eat his annual offerings. Perched on his white elephant, Indra sent storms to destroy Krishna and his cowherd community, but Krishna effortlessly raised the nearby Mount Govardhan like an umbrella, and everyone rejoiced in his protection. Krishna balances the mountain on one finger while fluting and taking refreshment (paan) from a milkmaid. Below the figure of four-armed Krishna, Indra is shown defeated, kneeling in acquiescence to Krishna’s superior power.