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The Salvation of the Elephant (Gaj Mokasha)

Indian

Artwork Details

The Salvation of the Elephant (Gaj Mokasha)
circa 1815
Indian
paint on canvas
7 1/2 in x 10 1/16 in (19 cm x 25.5 cm)
Gift of George H. Lauff
2010/2.27

Description

Subject Matter:

The story of Gajendra moksha appears in the Bhagavatha Purana. It tells the story of an elephant named Gajendre who prays to vishnu for help when struggling with a water creature (crocodile, monster). Gajendra makes an offering of a lotus flower with his trunk. The prayers made by Gajendra became a famous hymn in praise of Lord Vishnu called Gajendra Stuthi. Seeing His devotee in distress, Lord Vishnu kills the crocodile and saves Gajendra.

Physical Description:

An elephant seems to walk on water from the bottom right corner of the composition, rising towards Vishnu in the upper left with a single lotus flower in its trunk. Vishnu, with 4 arms, steps on green hills surrounding the lotus covered pond, bending towards the elephant. Garuda flies in the upper right.

Usage Rights:

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