Bengal School Lithograph
Region / Date
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
1895
Popular devotional print tradition
Key Features
This striking lithograph presents Krishna in his rare six-armed (Shad-bhuja) form, identified here as Shri Shri Gauranga Avatara-a powerful synthesis of Krishna and the devotional saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, central to the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
At the center, the divine figure stands gracefully upon a blooming lotus, symbolizing spiritual purity and transcendence. The six arms reveal a composite identity:
-
One pair plays the flute, representing Krishna’s enchanting, प्रेममय (love-filled) aspect.
-
Another pair holds the bow and arrow, associated with Rama, signifying dharma and righteous kingship.
-
The final pair carries a staff and water pot (kamandalu), evoking the ascetic devotion of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
This unified form expresses a profound theological idea-the oneness of divine incarnations across time, merging love (Krishna), duty (Rama), and devotion (Chaitanya).
The figure is crowned with a radiant halo, emphasizing divinity, while adorned with jewelry and flowing garments that reflect both regal and devotional identities.
The setting is uniquely theatrical: a Victorian-style stage framed by draped curtains, with a receding tiled floor creating depth and perspective. Behind the figure lies a painted backdrop of a Bengali rural landscape, complete with rivers, temples, and village life—blending sacred vision with contemporary cultural context.
This fusion of European theatrical staging and Indian devotional imagery is characteristic of late 19th-century Calcutta lithographs, where traditional subjects were reimagined through modern visual language.
The title “Gauranga” refers to the golden-hued form associated with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is revered as an incarnation of Krishna and the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. His teachings emphasized bhakti through music, dance, and ecstatic devotion, transforming spiritual practice into a deeply emotional and communal experience.
The print reflects this spirit-dynamic, expressive, and immersive-inviting the viewer not just to observe, but to feel devotion.
Museum-Grade Poster Details
Size: 18 × 24 inches
Paper: 350 GSM archival matte paper
Print Quality: High-resolution reproduction preserving vibrant colors and lithographic textures
Finish: Non-glare museum matte finish
Ideal For: Home temples, Krishna devotees, Gaudiya Vaishnava followers, and collectors of Bengal print art
Why You’ll Love It
This artwork is a rare and powerful representation of Krishna’s unified divine form-blending mythology, devotion, and cultural artistry into a visually captivating piece.
Order Now
Bring home the divine presence of Shri Shri Gauranga Avatara, a symbol of प्रेम (love), भक्ति (devotion), and spiritual unity.
Available in 18 × 24 inches, with framed and unframed options, exclusively at The Soma Store.
