Previous Year Question
Who among the following deities is represented in art as holding a plough?
Krishna
Balarama
Kartikeya
Maitreya
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
In Indian sculpture and painting, the plough is a principal weapon/emblem of Balarama. For this reason, he is also known as Haladhara and Halayudha—meaning one who carries the plough or uses the plough as a weapon.
Balarama is also known as Balabhadra and Sankarshana. He is regarded as the elder brother of Krishna, and his iconography has a strong association with agriculture and rural life.
Along with the plough, the pestle or Musala is another important attribute of Balarama. In some images, he is also represented with a Naga or multi-hooded serpent.
A direct archaeological example is a 9th-century image of Balarama from Nalanda, preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi. In this four-armed image, Balarama carries a plough in his upper left hand and is shown beneath a seven-hooded serpent.