Picture Details
Balarama, the god of agriculture embracing Yudhishtira
Partner:
British LibraryImage reference:
BL.Add.Or.2783Origin:
North, IndiaArtist / Date:
Hajji, c.1598Size:
207 x 110 mmDescription:
Click here for more details
This opaque water-colour miniature by the artist Hajji shows the Hindu god of fertility and agriculture, Balarama, being embraced by Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandava princes. This manuscript leaf is from the section 'Sabhaparvan' (Book of the Assembly) in the Razmnama, the Persian translation of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The painting shows Balarama, the brother of Krishna, dressed in a blue 'dhoti', holding his plough over his shoulder. Yudhishthira embraces Balarama while the courtiers stand in a semi-circle and the Pandu brothers watch from the left. Yudhishthira has just risen from his throne, which can be seen set on a dais in front of the pavilion.
