Krishna’s hidden Gunakathana, 1780 - 1790
Mandi, India
Tempera on paper
Inscribed in Devanagari on the flyleaf 'atha sri krishna ko prachhana guna kathana. savaiya. jo kaho kesav soma saroja sudhasura bhringani deh dahe hain. dadim ke fala srifala bidruma hataka...
Inscribed in Devanagari on the flyleaf
"atha sri krishna ko prachhana guna kathana. savaiya. jo kaho kesav soma saroja sudhasura bhringani deh dahe hain. dadim ke fala srifala bidruma hataka kotika kashta sahe hain. koka kapota kari ahi kehari kokila kira kuchila kahe hain. anga anupama va tiya ke unaki upama jahan beyi rahe hain. 23"
'Krishna's hidden Gunakathana: the Nayaka to himself, "I cannot compare her face to that of the moon, or the lotus, as the moon is tormented by Rahu, and the lotus by bees. Pomegranate, coconut, coral or gold will not suffice to compare her teeth, breasts, lips or her complexion as they are sold in the market. The same is true of other similies such as the chakor (breasts), pigeon (neck), elephant (gait), snake (braid), tiger (waist), cuckoo (voice) and parrot (nose) for they are ordinary animals and birds and do not stand up to her beauty. Such is her beauty that it is incomparable and unique." 23.'