Dating: 10th century CE

Provenance: Khuong My, Quang Nam Province

Inventory No.: BTC 89

Material: Sandstone

Krishna is one of the ten celebrated avatars (dashavatara) of the god Vishnu. This sculpture illustrates the legend in which Krishna persuaded the local cowherds to abandon their worship of Indra, the god of rain and storms, and instead venerate Mount Govardhana. In retaliation for the villagers’ defiance, Indra unleashed torrential storms and floods to destroy their crops and livestock. Krishna rescued the village by lifting Mount Govardhana with his hand for seven days and seven nights, creating a shelter beneath which the villagers and their cattle found refuge.

In this relief, Krishna stands firmly with his legs braced to generate power; his left hand rests on his thigh, while his right hand raises the mountain, depicted as a protective arc curving above his head.