The painting shown below is a Bhagvata Purana folio of the Pahari schools. Observe the painting and read the passage, then answer the question.
The pain of the gopis is real when Krishna suddenly disappears. The gopis recall and enact his various lilas or feats. Some of them being — the killing of Putana, liberation of Yamala-Arjun after Krishna was tied to a mortar by Yashoda, lifting of Mount Govardhan, subduing of serpent Kaliya, and the intoxicating call and allure of Krishna’s flute. The gopis take on different roles and emulate his divine sports.
How does the gopi on the extreme left, at the top of the painting, enact Krishna?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → By sucking the bosom of another gopi
Option (1) By dancing on the serpent Kaliya — Incorrect. The gopi who dances like Krishna on Kaliya is at the extreme bottom right. Her blue garment takes the form of the serpent.
Option (2) By being tied to a mortar — Incorrect. This is the group further to the right. One gopi acts as the mortar, and the gopi playing young Krishna is tied to it with a cloth band.
Option (3) By sucking the bosom of another gopi — Correct. On the extreme left, a gopi plays Krishna. She bends forward and appears to suck the bosom of another gopi, who plays Putana.
Option (4) By lifting Mount Govardhan — Incorrect. Mount Govardhan is shown in the adjoining group, where a gopi in a turban lifts her piled up odhni.
NCERT (2026-27): “Re-enacting Krishna’s deeds The artist captures and evokes these sensitive images exquisitely in this folio. On the extreme left, a gopi enacts Krishna’s part as she bends forward and appears to suck the bosom of another gopi, who plays the role of Putana and raises her hand to the head in response, as if dying while her breath is being sucked away. Next to them, another gopi enacts the character of Yashoda, who along with other gopis, holds out her garment in a gesture of removing the evil eye after the young Krishna performed the brave feat of killing Putana.”
Re-enacting Krishna’s deeds, Bhagvata Purana, Guler–Kangra, India, 1780–85, Private Collection |
