Ramayana in Pahari Miniature Painting

Author(s): Jutta Jain
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 57

The Rāmāyaṇa In Pahari Miniature Painting
puspaka-vehicle with the demoness Trijatā and Sita looking down to the battlefield is seen. In sorrow Sita rests her head on her knees. (Välmiki VI, 47 end). loc. Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay, no. 81-19.
not published elsewhere.
36. Again the same setting is seen in this picture as in no. 35. Here only Sitā seems to have been cheered up. She is sitting upright in the heavenly vehicle and talking to Trijatā. Full of sympathy for Sita the demoness has disclosed to her the secret that Rama is not dead. (Valmiki VI, 48 middle part).
loc.
not published elsewhere.
Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay, no. 81-18.
37. The puspaka vehicle with Sita and the demoness Trijatā returns back and Sitā is again placed under the Aśoka tree in Aśoka grove, surrounded by numerous rākṣasi. Remembering what she had seen on the battle-field she again falls into deep grievance bending her head downwards. (Valmiki VI, 48 end). loc.
Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay, no. 81-15.
not published elesewhere.
38. Out of a heavy storm in the clouds suddenly Garuda appears in the sky. Out of immense fear for him all the snakes which were binding Rama and Laksamana as arrows quickly take flight and disappear in the ocean. As soon as Garuda touches Rama, which is very feelingfully depicted, Rāma wakes up and regains his strength and energy again. (Valmiki VI, 50, 33-35).
Garuda has a rather estranging, stressingly human figure, even the head is that of an actual human with natural ears and eyes. Only the bent beak of a parrot and the attached angel-like wings denote that he is a bird. A similar depiction of Garuda appears in one miniature from Bikaner of late 17th century, published in 'A flower from every meadow' as pl. 32.
Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay, no. 81-17
loc.
not published elsewhere.
ill. 45
39. In anger about his unsuccessfulness Ravana calls his son Indrajit and orders him, who had successfully defeated Indra, to kill the Raghu-brothers. In order to secure his powers Indrajit makes an offering to God Agni. He is
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