- Title
- Krishna Makes Kubja Beautiful, Folio from a Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord)
- Date Made
- circa 1645
- Medium
- Opaque watercolor on paper
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 8 3/16 x 6 1/2 in. (20.8 x 16.51 cm); Image: 7 x 5 7/8 in. (17.78 x 14.92 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.72.1.27
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial Notes
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 of Vishnu, the Hindu God of Preservation. To fulfill his role as the guardian of the world and savior of humanity, Vishnu appears as a succession of heroic animals and semi-mortal saviors, called avatars, through which he intervenes in times of crisis or unrighteousness.
This painting depicts the blue-skinned Krishna and his brother Balarama walking in Mathura and encountering a hunchbacked maidservant of the evil King Kamsa who was carrying a tray of fragrant ointments she had made for the king. Her name was Kubja or Trivakra (she who is bent in three places). When Krishna asked for some ointment, she gave both Krishna and Balarama lavish amounts. Krishna was so struck by her generosity and beautiful face that he miraculously straightened her back and she instantly became a gorgeous woman. After her transformation, she began to desire Krishna physically and asked him to visit her home (Bhagavata Purana 10:42:1-12). Later, Krishna alleviated her torment and enjoyed her company (Bhagavata Purana 10:48:1-10). The story of Kubja illustrates that Krishna’s love embraces all level of society.
A slightly earlier Malwa illustration of this episode is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1974.116). It is from the same series as M.73.88.1.
- Selected Bibliography
- Rosenfield, John. The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
