Krishna killing a demon, possibly Pralamba, from a manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Tales of the Lord Vishnu)

Demons symbolize obstacles and vices; they disrupt the harmonious order of the world and create suffering. Krishna can overcome the most formidable demons because of his courage and skill. He can also see through their deceptively benign forms and perceive their true nature. Here the demon, probably Pralamba, appears in the guise of a young cowherd (gopa) who participates in a game with the young Krishna, his brother Balarama, and their companions, riding on each other’s shoulders. Standard accounts of the story involve Pralamba lifting Balarama on his shoulders and then attempting to fly away with him but Balarama kills the demon by hitting him on the head with his fist. In this painting, however, Pralamba is shown carrying Krishna (who is recognizable by his blue skin and seen twice) and not his brother. After Krishna slays him, the demon reverts to his true grotesque form, as depicted in the lower register.