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 pursuit. To evade the shower of arrows released by his pursuant, Nikumbha creates a wall of smoke before them.

Acquired from the Royal Library of Mandi in 1969