Krishna, Balarama, and Nanda receives Akrura

In the eighteenth century, Pahari hill painters created this illustration of Krishna for the “Large” Guler-Basohli Bhagavata Purana manuscript. The folios are traditionally attributed to the descendants of the painter Pandit Seu, most notably his grandson Fattu, who was the son of Manaku. Consistent with the rest of the manuscript, the work depicts episodes from the tenth book of the literary classic, the story of Krishna’s exploits. The painting is set in the Mathura kingdom, where the villainous king Kansa has ordered the death of his sister’s children. The king has invited the protagonist Krishna and his friend Balarama to visit the festival, which is supposed to be a trap to kill the young men. However, the villain’s beloved disciple, the Brahmin Akrura, has secretly decided to save Krishna’s life and warns him and Balarama, as well as their foster father Nanda, about the danger. Despite the danger, the young men have agreed to come to the festival to fight the evil king. The story is set in an open white marble pavilion with carved arches. The characters are seated on a carpet decorated with red patterns. Krishna, depicted with blue skin, a yellow dhoti, and a crown, sits beside his fair-skinned brother Balarama and their father Nanda. Akrura is also portrayed in light green clothes, his palms folded in a prayerful gesture as he bows before the main characters. A tall diagonal brick wall is seen on the right side, framing the pavilion. Overall, the miniature is bounded by thin black and white lines on a thick bright red frame, typical of the Pahari manuscript illumination.