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Standing Nagaraja (Serpent King)

ca. mid- 5th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 236
Nagas (serpent deities) are associated with water and agricultural abundance, but at the same time they are venomous and bring floods and destruction. Serpent worship goes back to remote antiquity and numerous representations of nagarajas (serpent kings) are known from as early as the second century B.C. Thus it is not surprising that with the emergence of the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist religious traditions we see the integration of naga deities. Although the names of many nagarajas are preserved in Indian literature, specific identification is difficult unless the sculpture is inscribed.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Standing Nagaraja (Serpent King)
  • Period: Gupta period
  • Date: ca. mid- 5th century
  • Culture: India (Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh)
  • Medium: Red sandstone
  • Dimensions: H. 59 in. (149.9 cm); W. 24 in. (61 cm); D. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Jeffrey B. Soref, in honor of Anthony Gardner, 1991
  • Object Number: 1991.83.1
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Standing Balarama or Nagaraja (Serpent King), Red sandstone, India (Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh)
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