Shiva and Andhaka
1590
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1590
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting shows Shiva, the blue-skinned Hindu god, with a third eye, standing over a monster named Andhaka. The monster was born from Shiva’s sweat and grows stronger when he bleeds. This image comes from a Persian book about Krishna, translated for the Mughal emperor Akbar. The book’s pages were later cut apart and framed with fancy borders in Lucknow. You can see the real thing at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
