Vasudev Crossing the Yamuna with Baby Krishna

Description

Originally published by the Ravi Udaya Vijaya Photo Litho Works in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, as a popular devotional oleograph for domestic shrines.

Historical context

This sacred image depicts a pivotal moment in the Bhagavata Purana, where the father Vasudev carries the divine infant Krishna across the storm tossed Yamuna river to safety. Shielded by the multi headed serpent Shesha, the child radiates a luminous glow that pierces the dark of the night. This work embodies the deep devotion of the era, where lithographic prints brought the tales of the divine into the living spaces of countless families, fostering a personal connection with the deity through art that serves as a conduit for grace and protection.