c. 1720

Rama Kicks the Demon Dundubhi

Rama, hero of the epic Ramayana, and his brother Lakshmana wear leaf garments: skirts and hats of leaves, with the stems still attached to the crowns of their foliage caps. The text says that they abandoned everything of value before beginning their forest exile. Here, however, they are draped in jewels. This ornamentation serves as a visual symbol of the brothers’ divine status. The illustration depicts one of the tests of strength given to Rama by Sugriva, the monkey king. Using his divine might, Rama had to kick the demon corpse (lower left) a great distance; he achieved it with only his big toe.