Artwork

Krishna watches the milkmaids circumambulating a sacred tree: The month of Jyestha (May–June), from a Barahmasa (The Twelve Months)

Krishna watches the milkmaids circumambulating a sacred tree: The month of Jyestha (May–June), from a Barahmasa (The Twelve Months) is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The painting depicts a ritual observed on Jyestha Purnima, when married women, after a three‑day fast, walk in a circle around a banyan tree to invoke longevity for their spouses. In the scene, a group of milkmaids encircles the tree, while a blue‑skinned Krishna watches from behind a stand of banana plants.

Subject & Meaning

Typically the ceremony is a plea for husbands' long lives, but here the gopis have already accepted Krishna as their supreme deity and direct their prayers toward his welfare, reversing the customary intent of the rite.

Technique & Style

The artist renders the participants with vivid, patterned skirts and intricate jewelry, and gives careful attention to the tangled roots of the banyan, creating a sense of depth and liveliness. The contrast between the bright clothing and Krishna’s blue hue emphasizes the divine presence.

Context

The work belongs to the Barahmasa tradition, a series of twelve paintings each representing a month of the Hindu calendar. The month of Jyestha corresponds to May–June, a period associated with monsoon growth and fertility rituals.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of a collection that includes other Barahmasa scenes from the Rajput kingdom of Bundi, a regional court known for its detailed narrative miniatures.