Devki Feeding Lord Krishna

Devki Feeding Lord Krishna

Kalachuri Dynasty,11th Century AD,Bhopal Museum.

          An unusual sculpture which depicts Devki feeding Krishna.  According to Bhagwat Puran Lord Krishna was born in prison where his parents were detained by Kansa, the Raja of Mathura.  There is no mention of Devki feeding Krishna for the moment he was born, his father, Vasudev carried him to Nanda 's house across Yamuna River. Yet here we see Krishna not only being fed,  but also protected by a five headed snake. The guards stand outside while a maid massages Devki's foot. This is called artistic licence!  

          Interestingly like our paintings, even in sculpture the perspective is flat. Krishna is shown in side view, Devki in side and frontal view. The concept of space is a complex one.

          Also notice the simple furniture and utensils. With the amount of jewellery worn by Devki, she is rich, yet the furniture is a simple one. Simple living, high thinking ! We all live in a prison of our own.  

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati Playing Chaupar

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati Playing Chaupar


Kalachuri Dynasty,10th Century, Jabalpur Museum

           According to Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana, the divine couple  plays 'Chaupar' a game of dice. In the game Lord Shiva wages his trident, his drum and even Nandi, the bull. And loses them all to Goddess Parvati.  While he wants to quit the game, she wants to go on playing. Meanwhile in the bottom row Ganesh and Skanda watch this divine game of win and lose. Shiva 's 'ganas' try to play with the bull. It is a joyous moment, full of fun and laughter. But the message is a serious one : the dice is time, the pieces are the human being. Our fortunes change as the time changes. Despite our intellect (Shiva), ultimately Nature (Parvati) wins. Our creativity (Ganesh) our destructive impulse ( Skanda) merely watch from the sidelines. Like the bull, our senses need to be controlled.  Nature is supreme. Tao teaches us the same philosophy : human beings are merely a speck of dust in Nature.

Vaman Avatar ( The Dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu )

Vaman  Avatar ( The Dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu )

Kalachuri Dynasty,11th Century AD

         According to Hindu mythology Lord Vishnu has incarnated nine times. His tenth incarnation,  as Kali , is yet to come. Each of his incarnation teaches something to us. 

       This is his fourth incarnation as Vaman ( the dwarf). In order to humble King Bali, Lord Vishnu appeared as a dwarf. He  asked King Bali  to grant him just three steps of land. Bali granted him the request. Lord Vishnu covered the underworld in one step, the sky in the other step and asked Bali where he should place his third step. Humbly Bali offered his head. With the pressure of His step, King Bali went to the underworld.  He was given the boon to visit his Kingdom once in a year. Hence spring when the earth resurrects itself. 

       The story teaches us that humility  (having small ego--dwarf) is a big thing. In order to subdue the arrogant, one should have humility like a monk. King Bali was wealthy, but it is the intellect which conquers the three spaces-- the underworld, the earth and the sky. As the Chinese say "the bamboo is the perfect example of a gentleman. In high winds, it touches the earth with humility.  And raises its head heavenward once the wind has died down.

Woman Cajoling Her Lover

Woman Cajoling Her Lover

Kalachuri Dynasty, 11th Century AD

         Not as well known as the Pratihara -Paramar Dynasty, but the Kalachuri Dynasty carried on the artistic traditions of the former two dynasties.
        This is a unique piece of sculpture as it depicts a scene  from King Hala's Gatha  Saptashati, a love poem. Written in Shringar Ras (romantic mood), these poems deal with different aspects of love.
        The heroine is lost in the company of her friends while the lover waits for her. When she reaches his house, he is angry with her. He lies on the bed unmindful of her presence. She cajoles him with kisses. But he pretends to be mad with her. The lover's game go on.
        Notice the furniture depicted in this piece: the cushions on which the ladies sit, the bed on which the Hero lies. Also notice the pot of water under the bed. The lovers are under a tree. The presence of the water pot indicates that it might be the summer season. Such minute details liven up the sculpture.