Sreekrishnaleela - Kerala Mural Archive

Alangad, ASG_P036 — Krishna: detail view

Detail Photos

Alangad, ASG_P036 — Krishna: full panel view

Deity: Krishna Location: Alangad Sree Santana Gopala Murthy Temple Theme: Bhagavata Purana

Yashoda tying the hands of a mischievous Krishna and asking him to open his mouth while Balarama looks on from behind a curtain. She's trying to ensure that he has not eaten any dirt.

Narrative

Textual Source: Bhagavata Purana
Mythological Tale: This is a depiction of one of the Sri Krishna Leelas, or mischievous tale of Sri Krishna's tale from Sri Krishna's childhood, when Krishna was asked by Yashoda whether or not he ate dirt. He replied that he did not. Yashoda did not believe him and tied both his hands and asked him to open his mouth. When Yashoda looked into his mouth, she saw the entire universe reflected in it. She was frightened by this and asked Krishna to close his mouth.
Episode: Krishna eating dirt

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna
Secondary Figures: Balarama, Yashoda
Iconographic Form: Krishna ( Vishnu's incarnation)
Iconographic Attributes: Krishna with a peacock feather on his head, wearing jewelry and no clothes. His hands held together using, tied together using a green cloth. Yashoda with one hand raised and one hand to the ground, sitting on a cot, white saree, white blouse, gajra in her hair, or flower garland in her hair. She is looking at Krishna. Krishna is opening his mouth. Behind her is Balarama, also looking at Krishna. He is hiding behind a green curtain. There is also a huge blue cushion behind Yashoda.
Visual & Formal Features: Background pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 36
Adjacent Panels: Sreeraman, and Yashoda with Krishna

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple authorities
Date of Documentation: 08/08/2024
Artist: Neelakantan Ilayath
Identifier: ASG_P036
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.