Vishnu and Gajendra
Painting
ca. 1830 (made)
ca. 1830 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Gajendra moksha, Vishnu saves the elephant king, Gajendra, from the crocodile, while the elephant herd sport nearby. Garuda stands in worship with a serpent between his hands, symbolising the victory of the solar principle over the water creature (which takes place in the ensuing conflict).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Vishnu and Gajendra (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper |
| Brief description | Painting, Gajendra moksha, Vishnu saves the elephant king, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Kangra, ca. 1830 |
| Physical description | Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Gajendra moksha, Vishnu saves the elephant king, Gajendra, from the crocodile, while the elephant herd sport nearby. Garuda stands in worship with a serpent between his hands, symbolising the victory of the solar principle over the water creature (which takes place in the ensuing conflict). |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Vishnu saves the elephant king, Gajendra, from the crocodile, while the elephant herd sport nearby. Garuda stands in worship with a serpent between his hands, symbolising the victory of the solar principle over the water creature (which takes place in the ensuing conflict). |
| Style | |
| Gallery label | VISHNU SAVES THE ELEPHANT KING
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper
Kangra, Punjab Hills
c. 1830
IS.191-1955
Purchased with the assistance of
the Art Fund
In this scene, Gajendra moksha, the king of
the elephants has been seized by a monstrous crocodile. Other elephants scatter in terror into the forest but the god Vishnu rescues the elephant-king. He holds three of his attributes (conch shell, mace and lotus) and has just thrown his flaming chakra (discus) at the crocodile. The man-eagle Garuda, Vishnu’s vahana or ‘vehicle’, stands reverently behind him. Garuda is a solar symbol and vanquisher of snakes.
(27/9/2013) |
| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.191-1955 |
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| Record created | October 30, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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