Krishna played an important part in Hindu epic Mahabharata as a guiding force to the Pandava princes, including Arjuna (seen above). This is a Sandalwood, teakwood and ivory structure depicting Krishna in Kurukshetra (20th century AD, Mysore)

Nrityagopala or dancing Krishna was a theme popular with artists. Here, Balakrishna (Krishna in childhood) is seen dancing with a butterball (bronze, 16th century AD, Karnataka).