Krishna & Balarama leaving for Mathura | Pattachitra Painting

Product Description

This story is from Bhagavatam about Krishna & Balarama leaving for Mathura with Akrura which leaves the gopikas and gopalas of Brindavan grief-stricken.

Then the Lord Himself gives gyan or knowledge to all the Gopikas and Gopalas that even the love for God which is in one’s own interest is mere selfishness. And thus one must transcend the ego and bodily attachment to cultivate Selfless Love to attain the state of Bliss & Divinity.

Akrura was a man of great wisdom and a devotee of Lord Narayana. He knew that Narayana has incarnated as a cowherd boy, Krishna in Brindavan. Akrura was a highly purified soul with no bodily attachment and has persevered for countless lives to achieve Divinity.

Krishna's maternal uncle, Kamsa also knew this truth and thus hand-picked Akrura for the task of inviting Krishna to Mathura to attend the Dhanur-Yajna, but with a wicked scheme to kill Him there and rule undisputed forever after. Kamsa had realized that Krishna and Balarama would never come to Mathura if they were invited by anyone other than Akrura. Akrura’s heart was so pure that God could never refuse him anything. 

Krishna and Balarama accepted the invitation and got ready to go to Mathura. Seeing Balarama and Krishna mounting Akrura’s chariot the next day, the gopikas and gopalas blocked the pathway, thereby not allowing Akrura to take their Krishna away from them. They were not worried about any harm that might be caused by the evil-minded Kamsa; instead their fear was that Krishna might not return to Brindavan. The gopikas and gopalas were drowned in sorrow. 

Gopikas said that we do not desire any worldly ends. We want You for our mental satisfaction. People desire various things from You. We pray to You for You.

Then Krishna gave them jnana to get rid of ego and attachment and recognize the truth about Atma. "The One who exists in you is ‘I’ and the One in me is ‘I’ also. Ekovasi Sarva Bhoota Antar-aatma - The One God exists in all beings. So, do not feel sad. It is every man’s duty to fulfill the purpose for which the body is given. We must go to Mathura to fulfill our Mission."

Gopikas and Gopalas had to admit that keeping Krishna in Brindavan was an act of selfishness on their part. But despite the jnana they had just heard, gopikas and gopalas could not transcend their ego and attachment. They blocked the path to the chariot. They panicked and cried loudly, "Please don’t leave! How can we live? Take us with You!" They pleaded in many ways, even using harsh words on Akrura. Balarama and Krishna did not want to prolong their agony. They moved slowly forward, smiling, blessing and consoling all the time. This incident caused a few hours of delay. 

• This painting or chitra is painted on a pure Tussar Silk cloth, which lends durability and gives longevity to the painting.
• It is a detailed handmade art work by authentic artist of Odisha.
• The Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha have their own style of painting Pattachitras & differ in their use of motifs and each style has been accorded Geographical Indicator Tag by the Govt. of India.

* The finer the artwork is, the more value it adds to the painting.