Krishna in Indian Art

Exploits of Lord Krishna

First Online: June 27, 2001
Last Updated: January 11, 2013

While Lord Krishna is widely worshipped among Hindus as an avatar of Lord Vishnu, the cause for his popularity is his intensely human form as described in the Hindu epics.  His exploits (collectively called "Krishna Leela") are a popular theme for Indian artists over centuries. Krishna is often depicted as an overgrown, naughty child stealing butter, as a cowherd protecting cows, as a mischievous adolescent who stole women's clothes, and a slayer of demons. He is also the supreme diplomat, and especially the preacher of the sacred verse, Bhagavad-Gita at a time of war.

Depiction of Krishna in Indian Art

• The Clothes Thief
• Far Reach of Long Hands!
• Gopika Vastrapaharan
• Gopika-Vastraharan
• Killing of Pootani
• Krishna and Radha Enjoy Nature
• Krishna breaking pots of curds
• Krishna Climbs a Tree after Stealing Women's Clothes
• Krishna in a Rajasthani Painting
• Krishna Kills the Evil Crane
• Krishna Licking Butter off his foot
• Krishna Lifts a Mountain to Shelter Cows and Women
• Krishna Milking a Cow
• Krishna Playing a Flute
• Krishna the Clothes Thief
• Krishna the Butter Lover
• Krishna the Mischief Monger
• Krishna's Wartime Counsel
• Lord Krishna as an Envoy
• Naked Women asking Krishna for their Clothes
• Lord Krsihna goes on Picnic!
• Taming of the Evil Serpent
• Vasudev Crossing Yamuna River with Newborn Krishna
• Vasudeva Gives Away Boy Krishna to Yashoda
• Waking up of Kumbhakarna
• Yashoda with Infant Krishna

See Also:

• Lord Vishnu and His Avatars
• Ramachandra -- the perfect man and a perfect king

Books on Ramayana

• Books on Lord Krishna at Amazon