Base Frieze
The upper row shows the submission of Brahma (four-headed figure in the centre) to Krishna after returning cattle and herdsmen he had hidden in a cave. The returned animals and herdsmen surround these two figures. The lower register shows a rarely-depicted battle scene from the Bhagavat Purana in which Krishna (left) faces Rukma (centre) while Balarama (right) looks on. All the main figures are on makara-chariots with charioteers or flag-bearers. Behind Krishna is probably the figure of Rukmini, the main character in this episode, who was in love with Krishna but betrothed by Rukma (her brother) to Sisupala. Just before the wedding, Krishna snatched Rukmini and carried her away on his chariot. Rukma, Sisupala, and their ally Jarasandha decided to avenge this, but Balarama routed all the demons except Rukma who faced Krishna in the battle depicted here. He was taken captive, but later released on Rukmini's request. The wrestling scene (right-centre panel) may be of Bhima killing Keechaka or it maybe a social wrestling or malla-yudhha scene. (Thanks to Shyamal Chatterji for helping me decipher these panels)
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