Parthasarathy - Kerala Mural Archive

This panel is a depiction of Parthasarathi form of Krishna, where he acts as the charioteer to Partha or Arjuna during the Mahabharata war.

Textual Source: Mahabharata
Mythological Tale: Krishna as Parthasarathi is depicted in this panel. He acts as a charioteer to Arjuna in the Mahabharata war. As the war was about to begin and Arjuna saw the faces of his guru and people whom he knew, he became very hesitant to engage in a war with them. So he asked Krishna to turn back the chariot and that he will not engage in the battle where his relatives are also involved, where he would have to kill them. At this moment Krishna convinces Arjuna that death is also part of life, and he gave many other teachings to Arjuna in order to convince him. These teachings together became known as the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most important philosophical texts in Hinduism.
Episode: Bheeshma parvam

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna
Secondary Figures: Arjuna
Iconographic Form: Krishna
Iconographic Attributes: Blue-skinned Krishna, sitting on the charioteer's position and talking to Arjuna. There are four horses that he is trying to control with his right hand. The right hand also holds a whip. Arjuna sits on top of the chariot, his hands in Anjali mudra, his legs. He is kneeling down, praying to Krishna. The chariot is ornately decorated with a flagstaff on top.
Visual & Formal Features: Background pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

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_P047
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.