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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1960.157
People
Unknown Artist
Title
Jambavan Offers His Daughter, Jambavati, to Krishna illustration from a Bhagavata Purana series
Classification
Manuscripts
Work Type
manuscript folio
Date
late 18th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Himachal Pradesh
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216414

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor with gold on paper
Dimensions
27.7 x 38.2 cm (10 7/8 x 15 1/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gifts for Special Uses Fund
Accession Year
1960
Object Number
1960.157
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
The continuous narrative features Jambavan, king of the bears, offering his daughter, Jambavati, to Krishna for marriage. Krishna is the eighth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, who is worshipped as a deity in his own right. The illustration can be divided into three vignettes. Starting from the left, Jambavan brings his daughter to Krishna. In the center, Jamabavati is offered to Krishna for marriage. On the right, Jambavan pays his respects to Krishna.
The illustration is part of a story from the Hindu sacred text, the Bhagavata Purana. It recounts how Krishna was falsely accused of stealing a precious diamond, Syamantaka. The diamond was given by the Hindu sun god Surya to the Yadava governor Satrajit. Satrajit gave it to his brother and counselor, Prasena. During a hunt, Prasena was killed by a lion who took the jewel. The lion then entered Jambavan’s cave where it met its demise. To clear his name, Krishna went on an excursion to find out what happened to Prasena and the diamond. He came across Jambavan, and fought with him for twenty-eight days, until the bear-king was defeated. Jambavan returned the diamond to Krishna and offered his daughter’s hand in marriage. Jamabavati is one of the Ashtabharya, the eight principal queen-consorts of Krishna. Pahari Style, Kangra School.

Publication History

  • Stuart Cary Welch and Milo Cleveland Beach, Gods, Thrones, and Peacocks Northern Indian Painting from Two Traditions, exh. cat., Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (New York, NY, 1965), page 94 & 123/figure 54

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu