Kaliya

This painting is one of a series of illustrations to the Bhagavata Purana, a Sanskrit text whose tenth book deals with the life of the god Krishna. The powerful, many-headed serpent Kaliya had poisoned the waters of the river Kalindi and all creatures merely breathing the winds bearing its moisture were dying instantly. Krishna vanquished Kaliya, dancing on his hoods. Kaliya’s wives are seen offering Krishna salutations. Kaliya was sent away to the ocean, but would be protected from his enemy, the eagle Garuda, by the marks of Krishna’s feet.