Legends Of Krishna And Balarama

Candi Vishnu, Prambanan

Lively reliefs from the Krishnayana (Stories Of Krishna) are spread along the inside balustrade of Candi Vishnu. In these reliefs, the baby god and his brother Balarama fight and kill various foes. Since Krishna and Balarama are both avatars of Vishnu, such reliefs are appropriate decorations for the Vishnu temple.

In the panel on the left, Balarama is prying apart the jaws of Kaliya, a poisonous snake who had been infesting Krishna's childhood pond on the Jamuna River, while Krishna dances in triumph (compare: Hercules overcoming the snakes, from Pompeii.). Continuing to the center, Krishna tears apart the legs of a human (probaby his wicked uncle, Kamsa). At the far right, Balarama catches the legs of the ass demon Dhenukasura, swinging him around and smashing him in a move that will be familiar to any fan of TV wrestling, while the rest of the herd runs around in helpless panic.