Krsna and Baladeva as Attendant Figures in early Indian Sculpture

Summary

The article explores early sculptures depicting the goddess Ekanamsa flanked by Krsna and Baladeva. While medieval images of this trio were known, no examples predating the Gupta period had been published. The author reports two Kushana‑period red sandstone reliefs from Mathura, now in the Karachi Museum. One relief shows Krsna’s combat with the bull‑demon Kesin, potentially the earliest sculptural representation of this episode. The second relief features a two‑armed goddess between two male figures identified as Baladeva (holding a plough) and Krsna, who holds weapons and stands in abhayamudra. The author suggests these reliefs may have been used as exercise weights because they have handles carved on the sides. He also notes an eighth‑century statue from Amjhara in which miniature figures of Baladeva and Krsna appear below Lakshmi’s knees, indicating continuity of the motif. The article concludes that these early reliefs push back the antiquity of the Ekanamsa cult and provide unique examples of Krsna and Baladeva serving as attendant figures in early Indian art.