Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, India, circa 12th century

Beautifully carved in deep relief and with crisp detail, the present work likely depicts the story of Krishna subduing the serpent Kaliya, the figures within the pillars denoting different scenes in the narrative. Kaliya is the naga who poisoned the Yamuna river, living there to hide from Garuda. One day, when Krishna was playing by the river and dove into the water after a ball, Kaliya rose with his several hoods and trapped Krishna, wrapping him in his coils (likely depicted at far left.) But Krishna grew so huge that Kaliya had to lose his grasp, and then Krishna climbed atop Kaliya and danced on his several heads, beating him with his feet. Kaliya's wives prayed for Krishna to show mercy, and as Kaliya finally realised Krishna's extraordinary might, he surrendered and was released.
The ornate pillars, scrolling and foliate designs, florets, and pendants, evidence of the profusion of architectural motifs in use at the time, make this work exemplary of the decorative lyricism found in Indian Medieval sculpture.