Untitled

Unknown

late 19th century · Ink and wash on paper · Asian Art

The sketch illustrates the story of the king Gajendra, who had been cursed and transformed into an elephant. One day, a crocodile seized his leg, and it was not until Gajendra appealed to Vishnu that he was saved and reached a state of moksha. This story is a metaphor likening the ignorance of the king to that of an elephant and suggests it is overcome only through unfettered devotion (bhakti).

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 19th century

Medium

Ink and wash on paper

Culture

India (Rajasthan, Kotah)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Subhash Kapoor, in memory of his parents, Smt Shashi Kanta and Shree Parshotam Ram Kapoor, 2008