Vasudeva carries the Infant Krishna across the Yamuna River by Anonymous

Vasudeva carries the Infant Krishna across the Yamuna River c. 1720

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This 18th-century Indian miniature painting depicts the Hindu deity Krishna as a baby being carried across the Yamuna River by his father, Vasudeva. The scene is filled with symbolism, with the serpent, Shesha, representing protection and the tiger symbolizing danger. The depiction of the celestial bodies in the sky adds a sense of divine presence to the narrative. The composition, with its vibrant colors and detailed figures, exemplifies the style of Indian miniature painting prevalent in the Mughal period. This small-scale artwork is a beautiful example of the rich artistic tradition of India, illustrating a pivotal moment in the life of Krishna.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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This charmingly naive picture illustrates the scene from the Bhagavata Purana that occurs immediately after Krishna's birth. Because Kamsa, the wicked king of Mathura, threatened Krishna's life, the baby's father, Vasudeva, secretly took him to the countryside as soon as he was born. Here, rain falls from a dark night like strings of pearls. The swollen Jumna river threatens, but the multiheaded serpent Vasuki rises up to shield Vasudeva and his infant son from the downpour. The father struggles to cross the swirling torrent, shown here running diagonally to the left, while a roaring tiger offers protection on the opposite bank. After his foster parents, Yasoda and Nanda, raise Krishna, he returns to Mathura and slays King Kamsa.