MANDI, NORTH INDIA, SECOND QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

The story of Krishna and Sudama is very popular in the Bhagavata Purana. Sudama was a childhood friend of Krishna and a poor Brahmin. At a desperate time, encouraged by his wife Sushila, he set out to seek the help of Krishna carrying with him a bag of rice as a present. The moment depicted in this painting is the arrival of Sudama at the palace gates at Dwarka when he offers the bag of rice to the gate keeper to take to Krishna. On hearing of his arrival, Krishna rushes out to embrace his friend.