The Elephant King Wrestles a Crocodile: Illustration from a Gajendramoksha Series
The sketch illustrates the story of the king Gajendra, who had been cursed and transformed into an elephant. One day, a crocodile seized his leg, and it was not until Gajendra appealed to Vishnu that he was saved and reached a state of moksha. This story is a metaphor likening the ignorance of the king to that of an elephant and suggests it is overcome only through unfettered devotion (bhakti).
Artwork Details
- Title: The Elephant King Wrestles a Crocodile: Illustration from a Gajendramoksha Series
- Date: late 19th century
- Culture: India (Rajasthan, Kotah)
- Medium: Ink and wash on paper
- Dimensions: Image (sight): 16 1/4 x 16 1/2 in. (41.3 x 41.9 cm)
Framed: 24 x 26 in. (61 x 66 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Subhash Kapoor, in memory of his parents, Smt Shashi Kanta and Shree Parshotam Ram Kapoor, 2008
- Object Number: 2008.359.53
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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