Saturday, February 16, 2019

Image: Hanuman battles the sea-demon Surasa



Hanuman battles a sea-demon
(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

From the Library site: The great monkey Hanuman has arrived on the shores of the southern ocean. His father was the god of wind, so he has special powers. Undismayed by the width of the ocean, he has swelled himself to an immense size and from the mountain Mahendra has launched himself across the ocean to the island kingdom of Lanka. The mother-of-serpents Surasa who dwells at the bottom of the ocean, has been pressed by the gods to test Hanuman. She has turned herself into a great sea monster with mighty fanged jaws. No matter how wide she expands her jaws, Hanuman matches them in size: he finally sails into them, reduces his size and emerges through her ear.

Detail: