Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Manuscript: Battle Between Krishna and the Fire-Headed Demon Mura

About 1500-1540

India, Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh

Opaque watercolor and ink on paper

H. 7 x W. 9 in. (17.8 x 22.9 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.55

Provenance

John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY; acquired from The Heeramaneck Gallery, New York, NY, 1970.

The Asia Society, New York, NY, bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, 1979.

Licensing inquiries

By the late 15th century, illustrated books on paper dealing with Hindu themes and stories were being produced in northern India. These books were generally commissioned by lay devotees, often as acts of religious merit. This folio is from an illustrated manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana. One of the best-loved works of Indian religious literature, the Bhagavata Purana recounts the exploits of the Hindu god Vishnu. This page is from Book Ten, which focuses on Vishnu's manifestation as the god Krishna. The painting illustrates Krishna's ferocious battle with the five-headed demon Mura, who sleeps under the water surrounding the city of Pragyyotishapura, depicted on the right. The dark blue-skinned Krishna, carried aloft by his mount Garuda, is seen fighting the demon on the left side of the page.