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Indian painting of Rama's father on bed as he nears death
About this photograph
- Creator
- Margery H. Freeman
- Date created
- Unknown
- Location
- India
- 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 1.10)
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Learn more
- Search LEARN NC for art, India, inheritance, kings, paintings, Rama's father, Ramayana, and royal succession.
In the classroom
- See our collection of articles on visual literacy for ideas on using photographs meaningfully in the classroom.
This Indian painting shows Rama’s father on his royal bed as he nears death. A wife and son are at his side.
In the Ramayana, when Rama’s father senses he is approaching death, he decides to declare that his eldest son Rama should succeed him. Rama tours in a procession around the kingdom of Ayudhya as the public announcement is made. All the people rejoice because Rama is known as a just and virtuous prince.
Just before the king dies, however, his second wife reminds him of an old promise to grant her two wishes. The king remembers and must agree. This wife then asks that Rama be exiled to the forest for fourteen years and that her son, Bharata, be allowed to rule in his place.
The king is in anguish but feels bound to fulfill his promise. Rama leaves for the forest, accompanied by his wife Sita and and his most faithful younger brother, Laksman. Rama’s father then dies of grief.
