Krishna Lying on a Banyan Leaf

This is a bronze sculpture of Krishna done in Vijayanagara style. Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu, is portrayed like a baby, sucking his toe and in a reclining position. The infant Krishna is represented naked except for his makara kundala, rings, bangles, armlets, waistband, anklets, toe rings and necklaces. His hair is also curled up and meticulously represented. The reclining position implies a banyan leaf which lends its name to this iconography- ‘vatapatra’ (banyan leaf) ‘shayi’ (reclining). An additional detail that is unusual here is the presence of Brahma on the lotus stalk that emerged from Krishna’s navel. Brahma—the creator god was himself created from Vishnu’s navel.

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