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Loving Devotion: Visions of Vishnu

Krishna with Butterball Standing on Shesha

Krishna-with-Butterballs-Standing-on-Shesha-171x300.jpeg

Krishna with Butterballs Standing on Shesha
Tamil Nadu, India, 19th century
Bronze
Collection of the Newark Museum. Gift of David R. Nalin, 1988 88.393

Holding two coveted balls of butter, Krishna stands on the coiled body of a five-headed snake. This sculpture reminds devotees that the mischievous child Krishna is also a god. The snake, called Shesha (“Remainder”) or Ananta (“Endless”), is an aspect of Vishnu and accompanies Vishnu in every manifestation of the god. Shesha is considered a primordial entity that encompasses the universe and is associated with creation.

Krishna stands atop the snake in a balanced stance that is more common in depictions of Vishnu, a reminder to the worshipper of Krishna’s capacity to establish and preserve order in the universe and his preeminent power as the god of creation. Shesha’s numerous hooded heads create an honorific covering for the deity, in whose hands the balls of butter become symbols of the universe, which, even in his child-form, he has power to encompass.

Bhakti in Different Forms—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.