29" Enrapt Krishna Playing on Flute | Indian Handcrafted Brass Idol

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The artist has used an abundance of decorative frills all over the figure curling like floral and vine arabesques emitting from every zone of the image, from ornaments and costume, mainly those flanking the face from behind looking like components of headgear or ear-ornaments, stretching and clinging to shoulders and trailing further down across the arms, those attached to arm and wrist bands, some more elaborate pieces to waist-band and girdle, and a few to the ‘patta’ – decorative component of the ‘antariya’ attached to it for beauty in the centre of ‘antariya’ between the two legs.

Not exactly, Krishna manifests in his ‘tri-bhang’ posture 'lasya' – a mode of dance that defines love, beauty, creation and aesthetic delight, broadly all aesthetic aspects that reveal in an accomplished dance. Scholars have discovered in three curves of his figure or rather in any three numbers related to it a cosmic mystique. An incarnation of Vishnu, all three worlds are Krishna’s magnification and are at his command, a theory that acknowledges him as Jagannatha, the Lord of the universe. He controls entire cosmic course : creation, sustenance and dissolution.

Those advocating this theory perceive three curves of his figure as pervading the three worlds that comprise the cosmos. The image manifests other repeats of this analogy of three numbers. His headdress comprises three components : 'prabha' – circular disc on its back, crowning element on the forehead, and a towering apex which itself elevates into three steps, and further, in three rings that the ‘prabha’ has, three folds of neck, the form of girdle, and so on. As overwhelmed by divine melody pouring from his flute, the entire image appears to burst into divine rapture.

The bliss with which the face glows is the most outstanding feature of the iconography of the image. Strangely, it discovers its excellence in bold details but in their exceptionally sensitive treatment. Sharp nose, emotionally charged eyes, well-defined chin and lips with a smile floating on them are the features of the figure's iconography. Triply folded neck naturally aligns between the face and the torso. Good figure height, recessed belly, long and pointed fingers and beautifully curling hair falling on the back define the anatomy of the figure.

He is clad in a well-pleated 'antariya’ supported by a waist-band and beautified by a decorative central stripe, and two ‘patakas’ – decorative large scarves, designed like frills and attached to the girdle unfurling on the right and the left. The figure is enormously ornamented from head to toe and even the back of the hand has a traditional ornament rarely seen adorning a figure. Most delightfully, there perches on his left shoulder a tiny form of a peacock. Besides its long tail it has beautiful wings.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.

The Divine Beauty: Exploring the Meaning and Symbolism Behind Krishna Statues

Lord Krishna is known by various other names such as Govinda, Gopala, Giridhari, Madanmohan, Radharaman, Maakhanchor, etc. The Vedic scriptures mention Him as the Supreme Lord, the cause of all causes, and the controller of living entities. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna Himself says that there is no Truth superior to Him and that in all the Vedas, He is to be known. Different people see Him differently. Some people see Him as their son, some as their friend, some as their master, and some as their beloved. He is the source of all pleasure and bliss. There are so many pastimes described in the Vedic literature where it is seen that whoever approached and served Lord Krishna with full faith and devotion, was never bewildered even in the greatest calamities, and was always protected by Him. Lord Krishna is therefore the ocean of mercy.

Lord Krishna expands Himself into different forms to fulfill a particular purpose in the material world. For example, to save His five-year-old devotee Prahlad from the ghastly attacks of his demoniac father Hiranyakashipu, the Lord assumed a special form of half-lion and half-man, Narasimha, and appeared from a stone pillar and killed the demon with His sharp nails. This shows an interesting quality of Lord Krishna. He is very possessive about His devotees. He never tolerates blasphemy against them. Those who try to harm them in any way, the Lord punishes them the hardest way.

Is Krishna statue good at home?

If you want to please Lord Krishna with your service and devotion, keeping the deity of the Lord will be good for you. Wherever there is Krishna, there is opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. Worshiping the deity is one of the easiest ways to build a strong relationship with the Lord. There is no difference between the deity of Krishna and Krishna Himself. The Lord said in the Bhagavad Gita that we can worship Him by offering Him a leaf, a flower, water, or a fruit. If the Lord is pleased, you will feel great satisfaction within your heart and you will experience transcendental bliss. Therefore, keeping the deity of Lord Krishna at home and following the necessary rules and regulations in the deity worship process is highly auspicious.

Which Krishna statue can be kept at home?

There is nothing more sublime than serving the lotus feet of Lord Krishna for it is the very aim of human life. Therefore, you can worship any form of Lord Krishna as your heart desires. You can either keep the deity of the original two-handed form of Krishna playing His flute or the childhood form of Krishna eating butter. You may also keep the deity of Krishna along with Srimati Radharani, His internal potency. If you want to attract the causeless mercy of the Lord and engage in His offenseless service, worshiping the deity of Lord Jagannath, the most merciful form of Lord Krishna would be the best for you. Lord Jagannath does not take offenses of the devotees and only looks at their good qualities and intentions.