Krishna talking with Yudhishthira and his brothers Krishna talking with Yudhishthira and his brothers (probably an episode from the Harivamsha) Date: 1750-1800 Medium: Opaque watercolors on paper Place of Origin: India former kingdom of Guler Punjab Hills Himachal Pradesh state Credit Line: Gift of George Hopper Fitch Label: The five Pandava brothers, led by Yudishthira, […]
Krishna talking with Yudhishthira and his brothers Read More »
Sage Sukdeva and King Parikshit Illustration to the Bhagavatapurana: Sage Sukdeva and King Parikshit, c. 1775-1800 Small inscriptions above the men identify them as Sukdeva on the left and Parikshit on the right. Sukdeva was a learned sage or philosopher and the narrator of the Bhagavatapurana, the epic tale of the life and adventures of
In this miniature artist has narrated the opening episode of the epic, in which the Mahabharata was first recited by rishi Vaisampayana and Maharishi Saunaka at the occasion of Sarpa Yajna or snake sacrifice for king Janamajeya in the Naimesha forest. Artist has also written the test in four lines at the upper space of
Devayani rescued from the well by Yayati – A scene from Mahabharata During a bathing party where clothes were exchanged, a quarrel broke out between Devayani and Sarmishta , the daughter of Vrishaparva , the king of the Asuras. Devayani was hit and pushed by Sarmishta, causing her to fall into a well. Yayati helped
Wife of one of the Vasus is tempted to steal the wish-bearing cow (Nandini) The miniature depicting a cow grazing by a river as a husband holds out flowers to his wife, a small townscape behind with trees in the top right-hand corner, lines of Persian in elegant naskh above and on verso, set inside
Wife of one of the Vasus is tempted to steal the wish-bearing cow (Nandini) Read More »
Nikumbha assumes bird form The present and two following illustrations are from the Vishnu Parva of the Mahabharata which recounts the struggle between Krishna and the demon Nikumbha. Nikumbha abducted a Yadava princess named Bhanumati causing Krishna, Arjuna and Pradyumna to mount a rescue effort. Here the demon assumes the form of a giant bird
Death of Krishna – Illustrations from the Barddhaman edition of Mahabharata During nineteenth century the princely state of Barddhaman (Burdwan) in Bengal had patronized literature and arts immensely. Many ancient Sanskrit scriptures and Hindu epics were translated into Bangla and published regularly. The then ruler of Barddhaman, Maharaja Mahatab Chand Bahadur (1820 – 1879) encouraged
Krishna chase Nikumbha The present and three following illustrations are from the Vishnu Parva of the Mahabharata which recounts the struggle between Krishna and the demon Nikumbha. Here we see Nikumbha, who has assumed the form of a giant bird, carrying the princess Bhanumati in his talons while Krishna, Arjuna and Pradyumna are in hot
