Ashtabuja Venugopala - Kerala Mural Archive

Kadavil Thrikkovil, KTK_P023 — Krishna: full panel view

Detail Photos

Kadavil Thrikkovil, KTK_P023 — Krishna: detail view

Deity: Krishna Location: Kadavil Thrikkovil Sreekrishna Swamy Temple Theme: Non-narrative

Eight armed Krishna is sitting in padmasana. He has eight arms each holding a lotus flower, mace, shankh, chakra. Two of his arms are held in dhyana mudra and the remaining two are playing a flute. He is flanked on either sides by four Gopis, two of them pouring water over Krishna, doing the abhishekam. The rest are waiting in line with small pots filled with water to do abhishekam.

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Krishnan is the ninth reincarnation of Vishnu. Born to Vasudeva and Devaki, krishnan was transferred to the custody of Nandagopa and Yashoda who raised him like their own son. This was done to protect krishnan 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 krishnan. In this posture, he usually is surrounded by Gopis or cowherd women of Vrindavan.
Episode: Non-narrative

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna
Secondary Figures: Four Gopis
Iconographic Form: Ashtabuja Venugopala (eight armed form of Krishna)
Iconographic Attributes: Ashtabhuja Venugopala, or eight-armed Sri Krishna, sitting in padmasana. He is golden-skinned. 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 four gopis. A green-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 white-skinned gopi is standing to the left of Krishna. She also has a pot of water, which she is pouring over Krishna. Below the green-skinned gopi, there is a golden-skinned gopi holding a pot in her hands. Below her is yet another green-skinned gopi holding a pot in her hand.
Visual & Formal Features: Background pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 23
Adjacent Panels: Damodara Leela and Green Sage

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Good
Deterioration Type: Other
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple priest
Date of Documentation: 15/07/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: KTK_P023
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.