An illustration to a Harivamsa series: the Parijata-Harana episode, Satyabhama presents gifts and the Parijata tree to Narada, the sage, India, Guler, circa 1780

With a palpable air of tranquility, Satyabhama sits in her courtyard demurely facing the sage Narada with his gold vina beside him, his palms open in acceptance as she offers him gifts - including the beautiful Parijata tree onto which Krishna has been bound by a slender red cord. A handmaiden stands behind Satyabhama holding a morchal (ceremonial fan). Ritual implements spread out before them. Fine details of gold embellishment in Narada’s bejewelled vina, Krishna's crown, and Satyabhama's veil imbue the scene with a glow befitting the intense religious rite about to unfold. Gracefulness of line and a subtle palette of orange, pinks, green and yellow unify the scene.

In the Parijata-harana (removal of the Parijata tree from heaven) narrative relayed in the Harivamsa, at a religious ceremony (the vratodyapana) on behalf of Rukmini in the Raivataka mountains, Narada handed to Krishna a fragrant flower from the celestial Parijata tree. After Krishna gave the flower to Rukmini, Narada declared to her that “this flower will return to heaven after a year. Since Krishna has presented it to you, you appear to be his second self.” After Satyabhama learned of the event, her ensuing rage and jealousy prompted Krishna to promise her that he would uproot the tree from Indra’s garden and plant it in her garden where it could remain indefinitely. Krishna then learned from Narada that at previous times the wives of several gods had donated to him the exquisite Parijata tree as a pious gift in an effort to achieve religious merit.

Despite Narada's pleas to Indra to release the Parijata tree to Krishna, a fierce battle commenced between Indra and Krishna. At some point the battle took Krishna to the Pariyatra mountain where Indra was waiting for him. The fighting stopped for the night at sunset, with Indra departing and Krishna remaining on the mountain for his night’s rest. Desiring the waters of the Ganges, it then soon appeared before him, whereupon Krishna bathed in the river. He worshipped Shiva with its waters and with the leaves of the Bilva tree. Krishna was given a boon from Shiva because of his reverence and devotion.

The battle resumed the next day. At the behest of Brahma, Aditi and Kasyapa intervened, and upon seeing them, both Krishna and Indra stopped their combat. Aditi announced that Krishna could take the tree temporarily but that it needed to be returned to Indra's garden after Satyabhama performed the Punyaka vow (the vow of fidelity and chastity to one's husband). Krishna then uprooted the tree from Indra's celestial garden and returned with it to Dvaraka to plant in Satyabhama's courtyard. He then merely thought of Narada who almost instantly appeared before the couple. Satyabhama began her sacred ritual by making pious offerings to Narada along with the Parijata tree onto which Krishna was bound. The sage then playfully declared that if Satyabhama offered other treasure, namely “a brown cow with a calf, and a pot filled with sesamum and gold, [he] would release Krishna.” Narada's requests were accepted; Krishna was promptly released, whereupon he presented the heavenly, ever-flowering tree to all his relatives to see. At year’s end he sent the Parijata tree back to Indra’s heaven. It is in the Harivamsa text that follows (the Punyakavrata) that the Punyaka vow is described at length.

The subject of our painting, with Krishna bound to the Parijata tree, is described in detail by the renowned Sanskrit scholar, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi (1893-1985) in Literary & Historical Studies In Indology, New Delhi, 1975, pp.7-15. According to Mirashi this is the second earliest version of the Parijata tree legend.