Vastraharana (Krishna steals the gopis’ saris)
Hira Lal Karmakar Indian
Not on view
This image depicts Krishna stealing the milkmaids’ clothing while they bathe in the Yamuna River. The god sits in a tall tree having hung the women’s saris on branches beyond their reach. Some of the gopis implore him to return the saris to restore their modesty. This is a favorite subject among the adolescent pranks of Krishna’s youth, and foretells the passionate devotionalism (bhakti) celebrated in the rasalila dance and Krishna’s dalliance with Radha. The unusual title given to this subject, Vastraharana, comes from Marathi word ‘to disrobe.’
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