OBJECTS OF RELIGIOUS CEREMONIAL 99 



In this, the sixth incarnation, Vishnu appears as Rama, with an 

 ax, for the purpose of exterminating the Kshatrj^as, or warrior caste, 

 who had tried to oppress the Brahmans, or priest caste. It typifies 

 the bitter struggle between the two castes, which ended with the 

 victory of the Brahmans. Height, 12}^ inches. India. (Cat. 

 No. 154889, U.S.N.M.) 



27. Rama Chandra incarnation of Vishnu. — Statuette of marble, 

 painted and gilded. Represented standing, the right hand resting 

 on a block or stump, the left holding a bow. 



In this, the seventh incarnation, Vishnu was born as Rama, son 

 of King Dasaratha, who belonged to the solar race and the warrior 

 caste (Kshatryas) and waged war against Ravana, king of the demons 

 in Ceylon, who had carried ofl' his wife, Sita, and oppressed the gods 

 and mankind. Rama finally killed the demon with an arrow. The 

 story of the adventures of Rama in this war forms the main part of 

 the celebrated Hindu epic, the Ramayana. The birthday of Rama 

 {Rama navami) in March is kept by some as a strict fast. On this 

 occasion his temples are illuminated and his image adorned with 

 costly ornaments. Height, 12 inches. India. (Cat. No. 154883, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



28. Krishna. Eighth incarnation of Vishnu. — Statuette of marble, 

 painted and gilded. Represented kneeling on an open flower (or 

 vase) held in the mouth of a fish, the hands in the posture of holding 

 a flute which he is playing to the dancing shepherdesses; on either 

 side are small female figurines, Gopis or shepherdesses or his two 

 consorts, Rukmini and Satya, likewise emerging from the mouth of a 

 fish, holding the hands in the attitude of devotion. 



Krishna, originally the god of a clan, was later regarded as the 

 incarnation or manifestation of Vishnu. He was born, according 

 to the Hindu legends, as the eighth son of Vasudeva and Devald of 

 the lunar race, at Mathura (Madura). Being threatened by the 

 demon Kansa, he and his older brother, Balarama, were put in the 

 care of the shepherd, Nanda, and his wife, Yashoda, where he grew 

 up roaming in the woods with the shepherds and shepherdesses. 

 While still a boy, Krishna destroyed the serpent, Kalya, and lifted 

 up the mountain, Govardhana, on his finger, to shelter the shep- 

 herdesses (Gopis) from the wrath of the storm god (Indra). When 

 grown up, Krishna and his brother Balarama killed the tyrant 

 Kansa. Krishna became king of the Yadavas, cleared the lands of 

 monsters and waned against impious kings. His wife was Rukmini. 

 He died wounded in the heel by the arrow of a hunter. According 

 to some of the Hindu legends Krishna is not an incarnation of Vishnu, 

 but Vishnu himself, and the elder brother of Krishna, Balarama, is 

 sometimes substituted for him as the eighth incarnation of Vishnu. 



