Krishna quells the serpent Kaliya (verso), from a Kalighat album

c. 1890

Krishna quells the serpent Kaliya (verso), from a Kalighat album, c. 1890. Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat. Gum tempera, graphite, and ink on paper; secondary support: 48.1 x 29.7 cm (18 15/16 x 11 11/16 in.); painting only: 25 x 20 cm (9 13/16 x 7 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2003.113.b The serpent Kaliya was poisoning the water of the Yamuna River near the residence of the cowherding community, where Krishna spent his youth. The animals were dying of the toxins. Krishna wrestled the mighty serpent then emerged from the water to dance on his head. Pleading with Krishna to set him free, Kaliya’s wives are shown like mermaids. Kaliya is one of the few foes whom Krishna did not kill, but permitted him to relocate to an island in the ocean.