Object Number: ECMAG.1963

Collection: Social History

Object Name: picture

Description: Framed print, depicting a scene from the Bhagavad Gita, part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, specifically referencing Chapter 2, Verse 47. The central focus is a chariot drawn by four white horses, depicted mid-gallop, wearing ornate harnesses and bridles. Seated at the front of the chariot is Lord Krishna, identifiable by his blue skin, serene expression, and elaborate garments. Behind him sits Arjuna, his posture conveying trepidation as he listens to Krishna’s wisdom. Together, they embody the pivotal moment in the Gita where Krishna counsels Arjuna on duty, detachment, and righteousness. Golden hues in the sky lend the scene an ethereal and divine quality, while faint outlines of soldiers in the background suggest the impending battle on the plains of Kurukshetra. Two lines of Sanskrit text are inscribed in the top left corner: "karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana | mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi |", which translates to: "You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction." The scene is framed in a decorative gold border. Formerly displayed in the Hindu temple at Redfield, Bristol, this artwork reflects the spiritual, cultural, and artistic significance of the Gita’s teachings.