Indian and Himalayan Art Krishna Kills Kansa c. 1740-50 Artist/maker unknown, India Opaque watercolor on paper Currently not on view 1988-77-5 Gift of Stella Kramrisch, 1988 |
LabelThe culminating events of young Krishna's life are depicted in this single illustration. Krishna and his brother Balarama have entered King Kansa's wrestling ground and are attacked by two huge wrestlers named Chanura and Mushtika. At the top left, Krishna battles Chanura, who then lies dead on the ground. Meanwhile, Balarama battles and kills Mushtika. Next, prominently depicted in the center of the page, Krishna grabs Kansa by the hair and pulls him from his seat high in a palace window. As Kansa's turban (said to be his crown in the text) falls off, Krishna leaps on top of him and kills him. The brothers then enter the palace and, at far right, release Krishna's parents Devaki and Vasudeva from Kansa's prison. |
