Pichhwai of Raaslila for Sharad Purnima (Autumnal Full Moon Dance)
Nathdwara; early 19th century
Cotton, painted with pigments, gold and silver
L 232 cm; W 185 cm
TAPI 07.43

"When you realize that you are the self, supreme source of light, supreme source of love, you transcend the duality of life and enter into the unitive state".
                                                                      Mukund Upanishad, III

A circle of opalescent light beams from the fully waxed autumn moon on to a clearing in the dense grove. The gopis have hastened to the spot in a state of rapturous enchantment, each craving to be with Krishna alone. A divine lila ensues as Krishna miraculously manifests himself eight times, dancing in the ring with pairs of gopis leaving each one spellbound and fulfilled. The raas or divine dance culminates when Krishna, as Shrinathji, presents his darshana by appearing in the centre of the circle. A faint but visible rectangular frame drawn around him in the centre establishes his swarupa as Govardhannath, fanned by a pair of gopis bearing peacock-feather whisks.