Sreekrishnaleela 3 - Kerala Mural Archive

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P027 — Krishna: detail view 1 of 2

Detail Photos

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P027 — Krishna: detail view 2 of 2

Deity: Krishna Location: Chemmanthatta Mahadeva Temple Theme: Bhagavata Purana

The panel depicts a tale of infant Krishna. There are two sections to this panel: one shows a baby Krishna tied to an ural (traditional mortar) dragging it between twin trees. The second section shows the appearance of two gandharvas (celestial beings) who are green and yellow-skinned, their hands folded in anjali mudra.

Narrative

Textual Source: Bhagavata Purana
Mythological Tale: Yashoda, Krishna’s mother was fed up with Krishna constantly stealing butter. Inorder to teach him a lesson, she tied infant Krishna to the ural or huge traditional mortar found in ancient Kerala homes. Krishna would drag the ural across twin trees,who are actually two gandharvas forced to take up the tree form. As the trees fall, the gandharvas get freed of their curse and takes up their original form. Both gandharvas display their admiration and gratitude to Krishna by folding their hands in anjali mudra.
Episode: Non-narrative

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna
Secondary Figures: Gandharvas
Iconographic Form: Krishna (Vishnu’s incarnation)
Iconographic Attributes: Blue-skinned infant Krishna; decked in jewellery including armlets, necklaces, bangles, anklets,waistband; rings, crown and earrings; a jut of hair in a bun is visible above the crown and is decorated with peacock feathers; hands tied to an ural (mortar) with ropes; white coloured twin trees; Two Gandharvas yellow and green skinned; folded hands in anjali mudra; green upper garment; bangles, armlets, rings, crown and necklaces.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 27
Adjacent Panels: Shakthipanchakshari, Annapoorneswari

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Combined permission
Date of Documentation: 05/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: CMT_P027
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.