“Parthasarathy”- the sarathi or charioteer of Partha (Arjuna), is an epithet and aspect of Sri Krishna as the guide and teacher of his friend, on the battleground of Kurukshetra. The supreme wisdom received by Arjuna became the celestial Bhagavad Gita, and the role of Krishna was forever etched in the memory of his devotees and Indian artists, as the symbol of the readiness and benevolence of Krishna as “Jagadguru”, the universal teacher.

On this acrylic on canvas by Anupam Pal, Krishna, and Arjuna are represented in a modern rendition of the classic Gitopadesha theme. Against a backdrop of horses and chariots, Krishna stands wearing green attire and adorned with a garland of white flowers, holding his conch or Shankha, blow as a declaration of the beginning of war. His hand is raised in the gesture of teaching and imparting knowledge, guiding Partha, who sits on the left half of the canvas, wearing green and red with his quiver on his back, and hands in Namaskara mudra, hinting at his devotion to Krishna.

The gentle delineation of Krishna and Arjuna’s faces, hints of red on their palms and feet and an earthy color palette followed on the canvas give this artwork a calming and soothing aura as if recreating the feeling of Arjuna’s heart, whose tumultuous heart was pacified by the thundering yet sweet voice of Krishna before the Mahabharata war.