Krishna and Raja Bhishmaka

The Mughal emperor Akbar (r. 1556-1605) had major Sanskrit texts translated into Persian, the language of the court and of the elite of the empire. This page is from a dispersed illustrated translation of the Harivamsa, the life of Krishna appended to the Mahabharata, and was done in about 1590. The painting was later added to an album and given decorated borders, probably in Lucknow in the 18th century.

In this episode, Krishna has decided to marry and discovered a ceremony had been arranged in which Rukmini, the daughter of Raja Bhishmaka of Vidarbha, would choose a husband. Krishna appeared among the assembled princes and was courteously received but due to the plotting of Krishna's enemies, the ceremony was not held. When Rukmini was eventually betrothed to another king, Krishna abducted her.