Krishna subduing Kaliya

The Krishna Kaliya legend, as recounted in Book 10 of the Bhagavata Purana, tells of Krishna’s triumph over a mighty river snake-king (nagaraja) who has been poisoning the waters of the Yamuna River where the cowherd community (gopis) bathe. The community of cowherds appeal to the youthful Krishna to rid them of the naga Kaliya and restore the purity of the sacred river Yamuna. Krishna challenges Kaliya, who rises up from the depths only to be defeated by Krishna, who dances triumphantly on the snake’s hood, all the while playing on his flute. The nagas’ wives (nagini)—six are shown here rising from dark poisonous water with their hands raised in supplication (anjali)—plead with Krishna to spare their husband’s life. Krisna extends compassion to all and Kaliya is allowed to live, having submitted to Krishna’s grace and so been liberated from corruption and impurity. Although these events supposedly took place around Mathura and the nearby village of Vrindavan, the legendary locations Krishna’s birth and childhood in the plains of north India, the artist placed it in a mountain lake setting, surrounded by snow-clad peaks. Krishna wears his characteristic yellow dhoti and three peacock feathers displayed in his garland diadem, alluding to the peacocks’ dance honoring of the coming of the monsoon and the prosperity that flows from this boon.