Krishna in Indian Art

Exploits of Lord Krishna

First Online: June 27,2001
Last Updated: March 09,2008

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!
• Krishna and Radha Enjoy Nature
• Krishna in a Rajasthani Painting
• Krishna Lifts a Mountain to Shelter Cows and Women
• Krishna Licking Butter off his foot
• Krishna Milking a Cow
• Krishna Playing a Flute
• Krishna the Butter Lover
• Krishna the Clothes Thief
• Krishna's Wartime Counsel
• Lord Krishna as an Envoy
• Naked Women asking Krishna for their Clothes
• Lord Krsihna goes on Picnic!
• Vasudeva Gives Away Boy Krishna to Yashoda
• 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