Here Krishna , also known as Mohan ( the one who enchants ) or Shyam ( the dark one ) wears a crown with a peacock feather. Krishna’s charm is described in the dasam granth on page 682 as thus:

ਕਮਲ ਸੋ ਆਨਨ ਖੁ ਭਉਹੈ ਬਾਨੀ ਸੁਰਸਰ ਜਾਹਿਕੁਰੰਗ ਤਾਕੇ ਬਾਕੇ ਨੈਨ ਕਟ ਸਮ ਕੇਹਰਿ ਮ੍ਰਿਨਾਲ ਬਾਹੈ ਐਨ ਹੈ ॥ ਕੋਕਲ ਸੋ ਕੰਠ ਕੀਰ ਨਾਸਕਾ ਧਨੁ ਲਾਗੈ ਨਹਿ ਚੈਨ ਹੈ ॥

Kamala So Aanana Kurang Taake Baake Naina Katta Sama Kehari Marinaal Baahai Aaina Hai ॥ Kokala So Kaanttha Keera Naaskaa Dhanukhu Bhauhai Baanee Surasara Jaahi Laagai Nahi Chaina Hai ॥

कमल सो आनन कुरंग ताके बाके नैन कट सम केहरि म्रिनाल बाहै ऐन है ॥ कोकल सो कंठ कीर नासका धनुखु भउहै बानी सुरसर जाहि लागै नहि चैन है ॥

His face is like lotus, the eyes are winsome, his waist is like iron and his arms are long like lotus-stalk; his throat is sweet like that of a nightingale, the nostrils are like that of the parrot, the eyebrows like a bow and the speech pure like ganges.

ਦਸਮ ਗਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਪੰਨਾ ੬੮੨ ਪੰ. ੭

A delicate see through fabric covers Radha’s hair as a mang tikka hangs on her forehead. One can almost hear her earrings dangling in the air. Covered in ornaments, her choodiyan, or bracelets slide against her wrist. In her innocence, she exudes a feminine grace that every woman strives for. This is why Krishna fell for her beauty.

In the Dasam granth page 755 she is described as thus:
ਭੂਖਨ ਅੰਗ ਸਭੈ ਸਜਿ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਆਂਖਨ ਭੀਤਰ ਕਾਜਰ ਦੀਨੋ ॥ ਤਾਹੀ ਸੁ ਤੇ ਕਬਿ ਸਯਾਮ ਕਹੈ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਕੋ ਚਿੱਤ ਚੁਰਾਇ ਕੈ ਲੀਨੋ ॥੫੫੭॥

Bhookhana Ang Sabhai Saji Suandara Aaaaʼnkhana Bheetara Kaajara Deeno ॥ Taahee Su Te Kabi Sayaam Kahai Bhagavaana Ko Chitta Churaaei Kai Leeno ॥557॥

भूखन अंग सभै सजि सुंदर आंखन भीतर काजर दीनो ॥ ताही सु ते कबि सयाम कहै भगवान को चित चुराइ कै लीनो ॥५५७॥

The gopis, adorning all their limbs with ornaments, applied antimony to their eyes; the poet Shyam says that in this way, they stole the mind of Lord Krishna.557.

ਦਸਮ ਗਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਪੰਨਾ ੭੫੫ ਪੰ. ੯

Here, Radha surrenders to Krishna as he teaches her how to play the flute.This can be seen in the delicate positioning of the hands, including the fingertips.

The notes of the different raagas vibrate in the air, forming a symphony of sounds that casts a magical spell on Radha and her surroundings. As though intoxicated by his spell, her doe like eyes remain half closed. They exude bliss and even the soil, rocks and flowing waters seem to share in her joy. The fragrant flowers and lotuses sway, almost dancing with the cosmos as Radha and Krishan become lost in each other. Two bodies become one.
Radha’s bright complexion reminds us of the moon and as they merge with the earthly realm, they also become one with the natural elements.

In this unparalleled masterpiece, the artist Tejpal Singh Mann instills the viewer with a sense of awe. He takes us along a heavenly dimension where all you can hear are the enchanting melodies of Krishna’s flute.
Their love is divine.
Radha Krishan’s love is so strong that they become adwait, a state in which there is no duality left. Up till now, in temples Krishna’s statue is considered incomplete without Radha. The devotee has to call upon Radha and chant her name in order to get Krishna’s blessings.
And although a lot of gopis were attracted to him his heart belonged only to Radha. Amongst all those who took part in the raas leela, Radha was his favorite. The purity of her feelings were as sacred as the first rays of light filtering through, illuminating them with a certain glow.

In this twilight zone, stars gleam on the top left taking us beyond day and night. Theirs was a realm that could not be described in words. And although they were part of the earth, this painting portrays a love that was more than just the physical.
Radha Krishan were celestial beings who came onto the planet with a purpose. Krishna, in his godly form (Visnu) is part of the trinity, which includes Brahma- creator, Shiva-destroyer and Visnu himself, the preserver.
Radha was his shadow, his other half.

As we sit, the shapes, colors and orientation of the surrounding vegetation brings the viewer’s eyes back to the couple. The artist is very successful in making Radha Krishana the focal point of the painting. The composition is such that everything is framing them, literally putting them in the limelight. Radha Krishana enter the painting to interact with us, giving us a glimpse of their world. They were to show us what true love was like.

As we delve ourselves into the painting, we are reminded of a timeless love. An unconditional love towards God, towards one’s guru and towards one’s beloved. This is in contrast with the self serving love that we see today. Nowadays relationships are shallow, fickle.

The artist Tejpal Singh Mann shows his mastery in creating an aura of serenity. His talent is shown in they way he creates one stroke leaves as seen on the tree.
Even the colors on the lotus perfectly match the couple, as though they blossomed just for them. One can also see other details. Just look at the lines on the palms of Radha’s hand and the tilak on Krishan’s forehead. These little thought out additions make the painting come alive.

When looking at this painting, one can’t help but take a deep breath. This painting reflects a certain calm, a deep love and connect that we all yearn for.

Krishna: “The only way you can conquer me is through love and there I am gladly conquered”.

Oil on canvas
24” x 24”
TSM Gallery
9353 120th Street Delta, B.C.
For gallery visiting hours
778 885-2197