Ashtabuja Venugopala - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Krishna Location: Mattancherry Palace Theme: Non-narrative Visual Feature: Background pattern Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

Krishna as Venugopala, or the one who plays the flute, is one of the most common depictions of Sri Krishna. In most depictions, he wears a yellow dhoti and holds a flute to his lips using both his hands. In this sketch also, he is holding the flute to his lips using both his hands, and as if he is playing the flute. He wears an ornate crown with feathers on it. Krishna's music is supposed to be attractive to the nature around him as well as the gopas, gopikas and the cows that he is in charge of.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna
Secondary Figures: Eight Gopis
Iconographic Form: Krishna (Vishnu's reincarnation)
Iconographic Attributes: Ashtabhuja Venugopala, or eight-armed Sri Krishna, sitting atop a pedestal. He is golden-skinned. He is sitting below a tiled canopy. Of his eight arms, two are held in dhyana mudra. Two hold the lotus flower and the mace. Two hold the chakra and shankh, or conch. Two are holding the flute which he is playing, wearing an ornate crown, wearing yellow dhoti with red and green bands in the upper half. He is surrounded by eight gopis. A yellow-skinned gopi stands to the right of Sri Krishna. She is holding a pot of water in her hands and pouring it over Krishna. A green-skinned gopi is standing to the left of Krishna. She also has a pot of water, which she is pouring over Krishna. Below the golden-skinned gopi, there is a green-skinned gopi holding a pot in her hands. Below her is yet another white-skinned gopi holding a pot in her hand. Beside her is a green-skinned gopi collecting water from the river below. To the right of the panel, below the green-skinned gopi, there is a golden-skinned gopi holding up a pot of water, waiting in line to pour water over Krishna. There is another green-skinned gopi holding a pot of water. A golden-skinned gopi is seen taking water from the river. The river is depicted at the bottom with swirly patterns. It has lotuses growing. There is a crocodile-like being, several fishes in the water. The background is made up of swirly branches and leaves, set against a red backdrop.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Temple: Palace interior
Zone within Temple: Ramayana Chamber
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: Not Applicable
Adjacent Panels: Ramayanam and Ramayanam

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Krishna is the ninth reincarnation of Vishnu. Born to Vasudeva and Devaki, Krishna was transferred to the custody of Nandagopa and Yashoda who raised him like their own son. This was done to protect Krishna from the clutches of Kamsa. In his depiction as ashtabuja Venugopala, he is depicted with ashta or eight buja or arms, two of which is holding a venu or flute raised to his lips. This is a rare depiction of Krishna. In this posture, he usually is surrounded by Gopis or cowherd women of Vrindavan.
Episode: Non-narrative

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Good
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: ASI permission
Date of Documentation: 01/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: MCP_P027
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.