AM E076389 Ramayana

Rama? fighting with a priest

Above on the right we see Rama, Laksmana and Sita advancing. On the left opposite this trio is a priestly figure in an aggressive pose with a second figure behind him. Between the two on the left is a discus thrown by the priest and a double motif which consists of a flame surrounded one-eyed monster and underneath blue water motifs (?). This motif may well depict the clash of weapons used by the priest and Rama. Below the priest we see two warriors aggressively positioned and facing a group of seven persons on the right who bear a shrouded corpse to the funeral pyre being lit between them (?). On the left as we view the painting are the two parekan, Delem and Sangut and opposite them on the right of the painting Twalen standing and Mredah kneeling in front of the corpse bearing group. Whose cremation? And who is the priestly person above who is behaving so aggressively? [ref PW 2005]