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

Demon changes into a deer to lure Sita (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 2.7)

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Demon changes into a deer to lure Sita (Thai Ramayana mural at Emerald Buddha Temple)

Sizes available: 683×1024 | 333×500

A two image sequence on a mural painted at the Emerald Buddha Temple depicts a demon’s intentional transformation into a deer. In the top image, his legs have turned into those of a golden deer. In the lower image, the demon is fully changed into the deer.

Once Ravana decides that he must possess Rama’s wife Sita, he conceives a plot to abduct her. Ravana hears that Sita loves deer, so he commands his demon subject Mareet to change himself into a golden deer to which Sita will be attracted. Sita is enchanted by the beautiful deer and she sends Rama into the forest to capture it for her.