The Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) was composed by the Sanskrit poet Jayadeva (eastern India, circa 1170-1245). The celebrated poem marks the debut of Krishna’s paramour Radha. She is absent from the major early texts in which the life of Krishna is related: the Harivamsha (Lineage of Hari [Vishnu]), 1st century; Vishnu Purana (Ancient Stories of Vishnu), circa 450; and Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord), 8th-10th century. It describes the initial passion of Radha and Krishna, their temporary estrangement over Radha's jealousy of Krishna sharing his love with other cow-herdswomen, and their ecstatic reconciliation in Krishna's nocturnal bower of delight.
The folio illustrates the Sanskrit verses to be sung with Raga Vasant that are inscribed on the reverse: “He [Krishna] made himself soothe you with flattery. He made himself fall limp at your feet. Now he waits for sensual play in his bed on the bank of sweet swamp reeds. Madhu’s tormentor is faithful to you, fool. Follow him, Radhika.” (Gita Govinda 11:20:2) Radha’s confidante (sakhi) is attempting to persuade her to forgive Krishna’s dalliance. In a nearby grove, Krishna awaits her on a bed of leaves while playing a flute.
This now dispersed series was formerly in the ancestral collection of Maharaja Dhrub Dev Chand of Lambagraon, Kangra. Additional folios are in the Brooklyn Museum (72.43), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (17.2389-.2391), San Diego Museum of Art (1990.1296-.1297), and National Museum, New Delhi.
