AMNH 70.2/1132: Ramayana: Self-immolation of Sita

Ramayana. Ordeal of Sita

Ramayana. Sita being thrown into the fire (labuh geni Sita). In the three scenes on the right the lead-up to this main scene is shown. In the bottom scene of the three, Hanuman sets out on a journey, accompanied by Twlaen and Mredah, the servants of the hero of the right. In the middle scene Hanuman talks to Sita in a garden (tanam), and in the top scene Rama talks to Sita. It may also be possible that these scenes represent the reconciliation of Rama and Sita after Sita's innocence has been proven in the flames. The main scene on the left is the more standard one of Sita throwing herself into the flames. At the bottom of the scene are Rama and Laksamana (to the left), with Twlaen and Mredah in the middle and the monkeys to the right. Above the walk-way from which Sita throws herself are the two priests, and at the top of the walk-way is Wibisana's daughter. Sita is in the flames with Agni (the god of fire), and above them are three gods (Indra, Siwa and Wisnu) on the vehicle Wilmana. To their left, in the upper left-hand corner of the painting, is a goddess (denoted by her aureole), perhaps Uma, although her appearance is not usual in this scene. Not only these details of content, but also the fine, if unfinished, quality of the work make this 19th century tabing of interest.