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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Tiny Hanuman enters mouth of demon guard standing in waves (Thai Ramayana mural)

About this photograph

Creator
Margery H. Freeman
Date created
Unknown
Location
Bangkok, Thailand
License
This photograph copyright ©2006. Terms of use

See this photograph in context

  • The Ramayana: The Hindu epic The Ramayana is retold through the mural, painting, and dance of Southeast Asia. (Page 3.4)

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Tiny Hanuman enters mouth of demon guard standing in waves (Thai Ramayana mural)

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On the Ramayana mural at the Emerald Buddha Temple, a detail shows the monkey god Hanuman entering a demon guardian’s mouth as he attempts to cross the sea to Lanka.

Hanuman has reached the sea around the demon king Ravana’s island of Lanka and must pass by a huge female guard before he can visit Prince Rama’s kidnapped wife Sita and tell her that Rama and the monkey armies are coming to save her.

Hanuman makes himself small emough to enter the fanged mouth of the demon, here seen with round bulging eyes and gold jewelry over her bare chest. The demon’s right arm is raised high above her head ready for attack. She is ornamented on the mural with gold leaf paint.

As the demon stands waist deep in the rough sea, Hanuman descends through her mouth to her stomach. He then stabs her from the inside so he can continue his journey to find Sita.

This image was photographed in November 1982.