Rajput Painting, Being an Account of the Hindu Paintings of Rajasthan and the Panjab Himalayas from the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Century v2.c19.373

v2.c19.373

**The Divine Herdsman: Cowdust.** Krishna returning with the cows to Brindāban, accompanied by other *gopas* making music, and welcomed by the *gopīs*, some of whom have brought water from Yamunā ghāṭ, and others looking from the balcony windows. Father Nand above, in the central compartment of the *barādari*, Yaśodā with Balarāma in the yard. The moment represented is the Hour of Cowdust (*go-dhūli berā*), when the cows are brought in from grazing. *Vāyavya*, or the wind that is mixed with the dust that is raised by the cows, is held so pure as to be classed amongst the seven substitutes for bathing, if unavoidable circumstances prevent the use of water: in our picture there shines a like transfiguration of every-day experience. Pahāṛī (Kāṅgṛā), late 18th century. Size of original. Collection of the author. Vol. i, pp. 24, 30.