The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 24, 2024

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

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

1700s
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.
  • ?–2006
    Eugene and Joan Savitt, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2006–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Life and Exploits of Krishna in Indian Paintings (Indian art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 1, 2021-February 6, 2022).
  • {{cite web|title=Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhan, from a Persian translation of the Bhagavata Purana, c. 1625|url=false|author=|year=1700s|access-date=24 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2006.203