Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Krishna’s childhood in pastoral Vrindavan was marked by bucolic bliss, miraculous events, and his frequent triumph over demonic forces. In this folio from a dispersed Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord), Krishna and the cowherds are shown sitting under the shade of a tree eating rice on banana leaf plates. The amiable lunch is described in the Sanskrit verses inscribed on the folio’s reverse (Bhagavata Purana 10:13:8-11):
In a wide circle happily facing inward, the boys of Vraja grouped in rows around Krishna. Thus sitting down in the forest, they looked as beautiful as the petals and leaves that make up the whorl of a lotus flower.
Some of them used flower petals as a plate while others used bunches of leaves, twigs, fruits, [the material of] their packets, the bark of trees or a slab of rock.
All of them allowed the others a taste of their own favorite food and thus they had a good time taking their lunch with the Lord while laughing and making others laugh.
With His flute tucked away in His belt and with the horn and the prod at His left side, He took the yogurt rice and pieces of fruit between His fingers. Keeping Himself in the middle of the circle of His comrades He made them laugh telling His jokes. The denizens of heaven thus witnessed how the Enjoyer of all Sacrifices was enjoying His childhood pastimes.
See also M.71.1.9, M.77.46, M.77.154.9, and M.81.272.2.
