Tricksters. Young Krishna

For today's addition to the week of Krishna, it's a translation of the ancient Sanskrit Harivamsa, which is sometimes called the Harivamsa Purana, and which is also considered to be part of the Mahabharata. You can read more about the Harivamsa at Wikipedia, and here is an English translation: Young Krishna by Francis G. Hutchins. 

Hutchins also provides a detailed introduction to put the story in context, and the translation is a great way to get a sense of the Sanskrit style which is full of both dramatic action and vivid description.

The book is illustrated with wonderful Indian art from the Harivamsa manuscript tradition. Here, for example, Krishna's mother ponders the strange events that keep befalling the young Krishna, like the incident of the mortar and the two trees (that's the illustrations on the cover, if you were curious!):

This book is the last of the "young Krishna" books for this week, and tomorrow and the day after I'll be sharing some bigger books which embrace the whole scope of Krishna's adventures. Meanwhile, enjoy this lively English translation of the Harivamsa... and the art too!

Young Krishna

by Francis G. Hutchins