In the tale of Pralamba, the demon disguises himself to join in a game with the gopas, in which the losers carry the victors on their back. When Pralamba lost, he chose to carry Balarama, as he knew he could not kill Krishna. He starts by walking around with Balarama on his shoulders, then reveals his demon form and begins to fly in the air. When Balarama cries out for help, Krishna reminds him to “take your true form. You have been destined to share the burden of the earth, along with me. So use your powers to kill him.” Balarama then assumes his divine form, with a thousand heads and arms, and rains blows on the demon’s head. The other boys join in the fray as Krishna looks on, and soon the demon is dead.

This painting comes from a series that was originally owned by a Bilaspur noble family, most of which is now in the Svetoslav Roerich Collection in India. For a discussion of this set, see W.G. Archer, Indian Painting from the Punjab Hills, 1973, vol. I, pp.241-242 and vol.II, pp.188-189.