Wood sculpture, 'Image of Krishna'

Beautifully carved and painted by hand, this murti, or "image" depicts Krishna. A five-headed cobra rises behind him, spreading its hood over the young lord. Legend tells how people living along India's Ganges River were dying after drinking the water. Willing to help, Krishna dove into the river to find the cause. He found a nymph who was cursed and became a snake. The lord killed the snake and restored the nymph to her true form. Nyoman Sedayatana commemorates the story in this crocodile wood sculpture.