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Loving Devotion: Visions of Vishnu

Krishna Playing the Flute with Gopies

Krishna-Playing-Flute-with-Gopies-300x220.jpeg
Krishna-Playing-Flute-with-Gopies-300x220.jpeg

Krishna Playing the Flute with Gopies
India, 16th century
Gouache
Brigham Young University Museum of Art, gift of Lorraine Allen, 920028300

This lively painting of Krishna and the gopis comes from the region of Orissa, on the northeastern coast of India. Krishna jauntily dances along with his esteemed gopis, the cowherdesses who, despite their youth, recognize Krishna as the embodiment of Vishnu and offer their unconditional devotion. Krishna and the gopis often engage in lila, or divine play, through which they express bhakti.

Bhakti is Love—BYU Museum of Art "Loving Devotion"

All photographs and videos have been provided by Entrepid Productions with support from Andrew Hair, Daniel King, and Garth Pratt.