The Brahman comes upon a lion who has a deer and a gazelle as his viziers, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-first Night

c. 1560

The Brahman comes upon a lion who has a deer and a gazelle as his viziers, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-first Night, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); painting only: 10.8 x 9.8 cm (4 1/4 x 3 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.150.a On the left, the wary Brahman approaches the great lion, who rests on the banks of a river. Before the lion can attack, the deer and the gazelle step in and council him to receive the Brahman kindly. The Brahman has wandered into the wilderness after losing all of his wealth, but the lion gifts him an immense treasure. The Brahman has a mark on his forehead identifying him as a worshipper of the Hindu god Vishnu.