Rama speaks to the hermit Bharadvaja outside his Dwelling, From a Ramayana manuscript

Unknown artist

ca. 1700-1710

Opaque watercolour on paper

Aga Khan Museum

Two figures, one with dark blue skin and a crown, the other with a shaved head and a beard, converse in a landscape with a hut and trees. The figure with blue skin holds a bow and arrow. Two figures, one with dark blue skin and a crown, the other with a shaved head and a beard, converse in a landscape with a hut and trees. The figure with blue skin holds a bow and arrow. This version of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana uses images instead of words to tell how Rama, a manifestation of the Hindu god Vishnu, struggled to defeat the demon king Ravana. On this page, Rama is exiled to the forest, but the austere sage at left promises that he will soon return home. Although illustrations of this scene in texts of the Ramayana show the prince dressed in leaves, this version uses images, adorning Rama with robe, sword, and crown t