Photo of collection object Sugriva challenges his brother Vali, King of the Forest Dwellers, to a duel, folio 10 from the Kishkindha Kanda (Book of Kishkindha) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey) — Sugriva challenges his brother Vali, King of the Forest Dwellers, to a duel, folio 10 from the Kishkindha Kanda (Book of Kishkindha) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1700–1720. Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper, Image: 16.4 x 26.8 cm (6 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); Page: 20.7 x 31 cm (8 1/8 x 12 3/16 in.); with mat: 36.3 x 49 cm (14 5/16 x 19 5/16 in.). Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1973.103. CC0.

Sugriva challenges his brother Vali, King of the Forest Dwellers, to a duel, folio 10 from the Kishkindha Kanda (Book of Kishkindha) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)

c. 1700–1720

Maker Unknown

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Sugriva challenges his brother Vali, King of the Forest Dwellers, to a duel, folio 10 from the Kishkindha Kanda (Book of Kishkindha) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), c. 1700–1720. Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, Rajput Kingdom of Nurpur, Court of Dayadhata (reigned 1700–1735). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; image: 16.4 x 26.8 cm (6 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); page: 20.7 x 31 cm (8 1/8 x 12 3/16 in.); with mat: 36.3 x 49 cm (14 5/16 x 19 5/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1973.103 The orange monkey Hanuman and the princes Lakshmana and Rama hide behind trees while Sugriva calls for Vali.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Medium: gum, tempera, ink, gold, paper
Dimensions: Image: 16.4 x 26.8 cm (6 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); Page: 20.7 x 31 cm (8 1/8 x 12 3/16 in.); with mat: 36.3 x 49 cm (14 5/16 x 19 5/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: [[verso, in Sanskrit]] evamuktastu sugrīvo rāmeṇa ripu ghātina gachāmī tpajavī hṛīshṛī ghayā tāsteya satvaram. kiṣkimdhyaṁ tvaritaṁ gatvā deshe pādapa saṁkule. vṛikshairātmā tamāvrīptate tiṣṭha nāhate chate. atha rāmo javī tatra sugrīvaṁ priyavādi namra. kurunadaṁ guhādvāri sthitva tvama kuto bhayaḥ. vali taṁ chaṣkaya yathā niṣyate ta guhā mukhāt. tamahaṁ niha niṣyā miśareṇā śani varcasā. evamuktetu vacane kākusthe nāmi tau jasā. nādaḥ [a]sti gadhotha gambhīro mahānā sītthadā divi. mālāca kāṁcanī divyānā nā ratnā vibhūṣitā. divaḥ sugrīva mūrchānama bhito nipa pātaha. sāca pitrā sutaste hādā ditpe na divau kasā. vāli no mālayā tulyā sutaste hai nirmitā. tato nadanmahānādaṁ valiṁ samāiyat. sugrīvo gaḍha saṁvīto nā daiṁrmi danti vāṁvaram. ityārthe rāṃyaṇo kiṣkiṁdhākāṁde valī samāhvanaṁ. Translation: Lord Rama, the slayer of adversaries, remarked to Sugriva, "You will soon depart for Kishkindha, and I will also enter this woodland where I cannot be seen." Rama, concealed in a grove of trees, spoke kindly to Sugriva, "Reach the entrance of [Vali's] cave and yell bravely to confront Vali so that he emerges from the cave. I shall kill him with flaming arrows." After these words were delivered by the courageous Rama, a descendant of Maharaja Kakustha, the sky erupted in a loud and tremendous roar. Lord Surya, emerging from his dwelling in the heavens, placed a golden garland adorned with celestial gems around Sugriva's neck. Sugriva then informed Vali of his arrival by shouting fiercly. Sugriva, who was well-protected, pierced the heavens with his roar. Thus concludes the Ramayana chapter of Sugriva challenging Vali to a duel. Remark: This inscription is oriented to assume a horizontal page turning. Inscription: [[verso, left center, in Devanagari script]] 10 Inscription: [[verso, bottom center, in Takri script]] 10
Departments: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Accession Number: 1973.103
Credit Line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Exhibitions: Highlights of Asian Paintings from The Cleveland Museum of Art, <em>Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115)</em>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 4 - August 5, 2003).
Rights Statement: CC0