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Lot Essay
Narakasura was the son of Bhumi, the earth goddess, and Lord Vishnu. His mother sought the boon from Vishnu that her son be all powerful and have a long life, to which Vishnu readily agreed. Consumed by his immortality, Narakasura became a wicked ruler, defeating Lord Indra and imprisoning thousands of woman in his palace.
Meanwhile both Vishnu and Bhumi were reincarnated as Krishna and Satyabhama, one of his wives. Satyabhama became enraged at Narakasura's ill treatment of women, and requested permission from Krishna to wage war against the demon king. Krishna agreed and together they rode on Garuda to the king's city. In this painting, Krishna and Satyabhama, seated on Garuda, have just succeeded in beheading Narakasura, riding a white elephant. The inscription mentions Narakasura in battle with Bhagvan Kanhaiya, another name for Krishna.
The Bhagavata Purana chronicles the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, each of whom must save the world from danger, destroy the wicked and protect the virtuous. This painting is notable for its unified oval design, perhaps a reference to the cosmic egg associated with Vishnu. For other leaves in the same series, see Archer and Binney, Rajput Miniatures, 1968, pp. 64-66, no. 49 and P. Pal, Art of Nepal, 1985, no. P35a-b.
Meanwhile both Vishnu and Bhumi were reincarnated as Krishna and Satyabhama, one of his wives. Satyabhama became enraged at Narakasura's ill treatment of women, and requested permission from Krishna to wage war against the demon king. Krishna agreed and together they rode on Garuda to the king's city. In this painting, Krishna and Satyabhama, seated on Garuda, have just succeeded in beheading Narakasura, riding a white elephant. The inscription mentions Narakasura in battle with Bhagvan Kanhaiya, another name for Krishna.
The Bhagavata Purana chronicles the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, each of whom must save the world from danger, destroy the wicked and protect the virtuous. This painting is notable for its unified oval design, perhaps a reference to the cosmic egg associated with Vishnu. For other leaves in the same series, see Archer and Binney, Rajput Miniatures, 1968, pp. 64-66, no. 49 and P. Pal, Art of Nepal, 1985, no. P35a-b.