Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman Rest in the Forest

Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman Rest in the Forest

late 18th Century - late 19th Century

India, Kangra-style

Opaque watercolor on paper

Image: 9 x 6 1/2 in. (22.9 x 16.5 cm)
Page: 9 1/4 x 7 in. (23.5 x 17.8 cm)

2012.014.001

After Ravana kidnaps Sita, Rama journeys to rescue his wife. On the way, he meets Hanuman, who becomes his faithful servant. In this scene, Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman rest in the forest on a leaf mat in a moment of quiet devotion that contrasts with the scenes of ritual and violence depicted in other paintings in the exhibition. Rama’s bow and arrows lie on the ground in front of the leaf mat. Holding Rama’s foot in his hand, Lakshmana tenderly removes a thorn from Rama’s foot as Hanuman places his arm around Rama’s shoulder.
Because this scene does not appear in textual versions of the Ramayana, it is possible that this painting was produced for devotional purposes. Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman often function as moral exemplars. Here, Hanuman and Lakshmana are the ideal devotees of Rama, understood to be God incarnate.

Gift of Jayantilal K. and Geeta J. Patel & Family to further the study of Hinduism

MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, February 22, 2013 - October 27, 2014

MCCM Newsletter, Fall/Winter 2012.

© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Bruce M. White, 2012.

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