Krishna in his boyhood form is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one of the most popular and widely revered among Indian divinities. Krishna's childhood illustrates the Hindu concept of Lila, playing for fun and enjoyment and not for sport or gain. Legends describe him as an enchanter and playful lover of the gopis (milkmaids) of Vrindavana. His interaction with the gopis at the rasa dance or Rasa-lila is an example. Krishna plays his flute and the gopis come immediately, from whatever they were doing, to the banks of the Yamuna River and join him in singing and dancing. Krishna here is depicted wearing a peacock-feather wreath or crown, and playing the bansuri (Indian flute) accompanied by a peacock. The peacock represents Krishna’s love for dance.
