Thursday, December 22, 2016

Image: Dasaratha and Vishvamitra



Dasaratha and Vishvamitra
circa 1780
(Image sourceMetropolitan Museum)

From the Museum site: In the central scene, the ascetic sage Vishvamitra asks King Dasaratha if his sons Rama and Lakshmana can help rid him of the demons Marichi and Subahu. After much debate the king agrees, and the brothers are seen with Vishvamitra departing through a gateway (lower right) and in a distant pavilion. This event sets the stage for Rama’s and Lakshmana’s interactions with ascetics in the forest and anticipates their many battles with demons throughout the Ramayana. 

Detail: