To celebrate the reunion now purified of self-interest, Krishna initiates the Rasa Krida or circular dance, also known as the Rasamandala. The circular dance began with the gopis locking arms and moving joyously around their lord. In order that each gopi might feel that he belonged to her alone, Krishna used his yogic powers to multiply himself so that each gopi danced by his side.

The two paintings of this subject shown here are from the same Central Indian court and were painted about twenty-five years apart. Both paintings show two phases of the rasa dance. On the left of each picture the gopis dance raucously around Krishna and Radha, the maiden who has stolen his affections.

The Rasamandala (Bhagavita Purana), ca. 1720 Central India, Malwa Opaque watercolor and gold on paper Edwin Binney 3rd Collection, 1990:969

On the right, Krishna has magically multiplied himself to dance with each girl.

So great was the joy of the gopis in this frenzied dance that their wreaths and ornaments were loosened and falling, and they were too beside themselves to keep hair or clothing in place.

As Krishna began his wild and ecstatic dance, the celestials , seen in the upper registers of these pictures, pulled up their chariots to watch. The celestial damsels, while witnessing Krishna's love sports, fainted, and even the moon-god with his retinue of stars was too amazed to continue on his nightly journey and halted. In their pleasure, the gods sprinkled down flowers upon the dancers.

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