The Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord) is traditionally ascribed to the legendary poet-sage Vyasa in the 8th-10th century CE. It stresses the path of devotion (bhakti) to Krishna, the eighth incarnation or avatar of Vishnu, the Hindu God of Preservation.
This folio [#102] depicts the fortress of the Demon King Narakasura, the ruler of the legendary kingdom of Pragjyotisha believed to have been in present-day Assam. Krishna’s wife Satyabhama, who was an avatar of Narakasura’s mother, the earth-goddess Bhudevi, convinced Krishna to attack Narakasura because of his kidnapping of 16,000 women. After a furious battle involving magical weapons, Krishna killed Narakasura, married all the women, and Bhudevi returned to Krishna the celestial artifacts stolen by Narakasura (Bhagavata Purana 10:59:1-38). Here, after defeating Narakasura, Krishna and Satyabhama riding on the divine mount Garuda enter the Demon King’s palace to free the abducted women. On the right, Bhudevi returns to Krishna the earrings of Indra’s mother Aditi, Vishnu’s flower garland, Varuna’s parasol, and the peak of Mandara Mountain (not shown).
This painting, and its series mates M.71.112.2 and AC1999.127.2, are from a dispersed Bhagavata Purana of more than 100 illustrations. The series is distinctive for its aerial perspective of temples and palaces in the Kathmandu Valley.
Additional folios from this series are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1975.409.2, 1985.398.10, 2019.64, 2019.65).
