Posted on: 16 May 2010

Krishna Killing the Horse Demon Keshi
Gupta period (ca. 321–500), 5th century
India (Uttar Pradesh)
Terracotta

Vishnu appears in innumerable guises (avatars) on earth but none is more popular than that of Krishna, the warrior-king who freed his people from demonic threats. On one occasion, the youthful Krishna slayed the demon Keshi, who appeared in the guise of a horse. This subject probably has its origins in Hellenistic legends, most notably the labors of Hercules in which the Greek hero slays the horses of Diomedes. In this terracotta relief, Krishna restrains the ferocious Keshi with his foot while thrusting his elbow down the beast's throat. Below the combatants are the dead horse and balls of dung emitted at the moment of death. The graphically observed rendering of the subject is a reminder of the importance of horse sacrifices in early Indian Vedic cult practices, of which this Krishna myth undoubtedly preserves a memory. Temple building began in earnest in India only in the Gupta period, and these brick and stone structures typically were decorated with terracotta plaques of this type for which Krishna was a popular subject.

Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York


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One of the most splendid sculptures I have ever seen.

rare animation!

Splendid! Such clear lines and motion in terracotta

Can somebody explain what d terracotta is up to, name of d place or form of d material of which this sculpture is made up of?

Madhav Kusekar : This Wiki entry can probably clarify your doubts : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta

Thanx RBSI. U have been so kind to us.

When Kansa, King of Mathura, learnt that he would be killed by the eighth child of his sister Devaki, he put Devaki and her husband Vasudeva in prison. Devaki's seven children were killed by Kansa one after the otherruthlessly, as soon as they were born. But, Vasudeva succeeded in saving the life of the eighth child. Vasudeva took infant Krsna out from the prison as the guards slept, crossed Yamuna river through a roaring thunderstorm to reach Vrindavana on the other side of the river and left him with Yashoda, who also gave birth to a girl the same night .He brought the female child along with him in the prison without any knowledge of Yashoda or the prison sentries. Kansa did not spare the girl child. She was incarnation of Mahamaya. Before departing, She warned Kansa : 'He who would kill you will grow up in Gokula'. Kansa unleashed a succession of demons to kill Krsna without success. Kesi the horse is one of these demons. Reference : Srimadbhagabat , 10th chapter. Child Krsna's life has been depicted in 17th-19th century terra cotta temples of Bengal.