Images
https://piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di?e=678A40BB06054F87DD6172D6D6A748A01D0144CFDDB1FDF2B1A48A177CBA1FB5&s=24247294&se=1056373366&v=6&f=%5Cd4600%5Cu281946000%5C2022.45_o2.jpg
https://piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di?e=B1B69EB821C36A0621A564E95E8CE3D1239BD1CF8211A4271EA760DEFF41D707&s=24247294&se=1056373366&v=3&f=%5Cd6737%5Cu282067374%5C2022.45det01_o2.jpg
May 27, 2022
Jun 2, 2022
Krishna and Satyabhama Storm the Citadel of Naraka, folio 97 from a Bhagavata Purana
Krishna and Satyabhama Storm the Citadel of Naraka, folio 97 from a Bhagavata Purana
c. 1775
Gum tempera and ink on paper
Paper: 55.5 x 36.2 cm (21 7/8 x 14 1/4 in.); Painting only: 32.2 x 51.5 cm (12 11/16 x 20 1/4 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 2022.45
Location
Download and Share
Did you know?
Krishna’s arrowheads are crescent-shaped, meaning that they have the destructive power of special mantras.
Description
From a series depicting the life of Krishna, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, this scene takes place at the demon king Naraka’s citadel. Seen from above, the mountaintop fortress is surrounded by concentric fortifications that recall the format of a mandala.
In the upper left chambers, Naraka sits with nymphs he abducted from heaven. At the right, coming to rescue them, the blue Krishna with his wife blasts through the fortifications on his man-eagle mount Garuda. He prepares to shoot a crescent-shaped arrowhead that has the magical power of a mantra capable of destroying the multiheaded red demon guard.
Contact us
The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.
To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.
All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.