Balagopastuti Bilvamangala thumbnail 1
Balagopastuti Bilvamangala thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Balagopastuti Bilvamangala

Manuscript Page
late 15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This painting is from a Balagopalastuti manuscript, a Hindu text in praise of the youthful Krishna, whose charmingly mischievous acts in infancy are a great source of delight. The verses of this text, given over to the loving adoration (bhakti) of Krishna, inspired some of the most celebratory painting of the period. The Sanskrit text reads (in part): ‘Tightly tied by Yashoda with a cow halter to a mortar… the Butter-thief gently weeps’.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Balagopastuti Bilvamangala (popular title)
  • Krishna (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted and written in opaque watercolour and ink on paper
Brief description
Manuscript page verso, Balagopastuti, infant Krishna tied to a mortar, opaque watercolour on paper, Gujarat, late 15th century
Physical description
Page verso from a manuscript of the Balagopalastuti, in opaque watercolour and ink on paper, with an image on each side. Image at left, text at right (Sanskrit script). The image depicts the infant Krishna tied around his waist to a mortar at left, a female figure at the right, three trees behind and a river at the top and left. Red background. A red dot at left and right of folio.
Dimensions
  • Folio height: 10.5cm
  • Folio width: 23cm
Content description
The infant Krishna tied around his waist to a mortar at left. A female figure at right. Three trees behind and a river at top and left.
Style
Marks and inscriptions
(Text on the verso, translated by W. Norman Brown. It consists of two Sanskrit verses. The text is from the Balagopalastuti. The verses are followed by an addition in a later hand.)
Translation
'Tightly tied by Yashoda with a cow halter to a mortar, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands, the Butter-thief quietly wept (21). Whether it was the mortar or the wish of those restraining him or the breast buds of the female cowherds, there was a triple bond to the world for the elephant calf Vishnu under the name of Murari (22).'
Gallery label
  • THE INFANT KRISHNA TIED TO A MORTAR Gouache and ink on paper Gujarat Late 15th century IS 82-1963 From a Balagopalastuti manuscript, a Hindu text in praise of the youthful Krishna. The verses of this text, given over to the loving adoration (bhakti) of Krishna, inspired some of the most celebratory painting of the period. The Sanskrit text reads (in part): 'Tightly tied by Yasoda with a cow halter to a mortar… the Butter-thief gently weeps'.(1990)
  • THE INFANT KRISHNA TIED TO A MORTAR Opaque water-colour and ink on paper Gujarat Late 15th century IS 82-1963 From a Balagopalastuti manuscript, a Hindu text in praise of the youthful Krishna. The verses of this text, given over to the loving adoration (bhakti) of Krishna, inspired some of the most celebratory painting of the period. The Sanskrit text reads (in part): 'Tightly tied by Yashoda with a cow halter to a mortar… the Butter-thief gently weeps'.(06/2008)
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceThe image illustrates an episode from a Balagopalastuti manuscript, a Hindu text in praise of the youthful Krishna. The verses of this text inspired some of the most celebratory painting of the period.
Summary
This painting is from a Balagopalastuti manuscript, a Hindu text in praise of the youthful Krishna, whose charmingly mischievous acts in infancy are a great source of delight. The verses of this text, given over to the loving adoration (bhakti) of Krishna, inspired some of the most celebratory painting of the period. The Sanskrit text reads (in part): ‘Tightly tied by Yashoda with a cow halter to a mortar… the Butter-thief gently weeps’.
Bibliographic references
  • Swallow, Deborah and John Guy eds. Arts of India: 1550-1900. text by Rosemary Crill, John Guy, Veronica Murphy, Susan Stronge and Deborah Swallow. London : V&A Publications, 1990. 240 p., ill. ISBN 1851770224. pp.32/33, no.19.
  • Jaina painting and manuscript culture : in memory of Paolo Pianarosa / [edited by] Julia A.B. Hegewald. Number: 9783868931747 (hd.bd.), 3868931740 (hd.bd.) p. 114, pl. 4.10
Collection
Accession number
IS.82/2-1963

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Record createdSeptember 6, 2013
Record URL
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