The Death of Demon Sankhucuda in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, September 2019

The Death of the Giant Shankachura: Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of Lord Vishnu)
1680–90

Object Details

Title: The Death of the Giant Shankachura: Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of Lord Vishnu)

Date: 1680–90

Culture: India (Bikaner)

Medium: Ink and opaque watercolor on paper

Dimensions: Overall: 8 7/8 x 12 1/4in. (22.5 x 31.1cm)

Classification: Paintings

Credit Line: Gift of Jeffrey Paley, 1974

Accession Number: 1974.219

As the songs of Krishna were driving the gopis (female cowherds) wild with delight, the giant Shankachura, a minion of the god of wealth Kubera, appeared and led them away. They appealed to Krishna, who, with his brother, Balarama, uprooted two teak trees and charged the villain. Krishna killed him with a single blow and took the jewel from his head. In the text, he hands it to his brother, but here he appears to be giving it to his beloved, Radha.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/37864