Recto: Krishna Swims with the Gopis; Verso: Krishna Suddenly Disappears (Primary Title)
Page from an Illustrated Manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana
(Series Title)
Unknown (Artist)
This page—in the traditional, horizontal Indian format—is from a copy of the Bhagavata Purana, probably produced fora court patron in modern-day Maharashtra. Illustrations on the front and back depict verses from the stories of Krishna’s amorous adventures with the gopis of Vrindavan. Here the cow maidens are shown frolicking with Krishna in the cool waters of the Yamuna. The handsome young god stands in the river at the center of the composition. His upper hands hold two of Vishnu’s primary attributes—the discus and the conc hshell—while his lower hands mischievously touch two of the nude gopis who throng the river. The accompanying text describes Krishna stretching out his arms to embrace the cow maidens, touching their hands, thighs, waists, breasts, and hair.
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