ManuscriptsIndian18th-19th century

Demons Approaching Rama and Lakshmana at a Fire Ceremony (Homa) (painting, recto), illustration from a Ramayana series

18th-19th century

Description

The painting depicts Rama, the blue-skinned, seventh avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, and his brother, Lakshmana, firing arrows at a group of demons. The horned demons wield weapons. Some have zoomorphic qualities. At the top right, a priest performs Homa, a ritual wherein an oblation or any religious offering is made into a fire. Offerings include those that are material and symbolic, such as grains, clarified butter, milk, incense, or seeds. Here, the priest seems to be offering milk to the fire. This folio possibly belongs to a Ramayana manuscript produced in Sirohi. Other folios from the same manuscript in the Harvard Art Museums’ collections are 1973.165, 1973.166.A, 1973.166.B, 1973.167, 1973.168.A, 1973.168.B, 1973.169, 1973.170.A, 1973.170.B, 1973.171. Rajput, Rajasthani, Sirohi School.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

18th-19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art