Vibhishana in the camp of Rama

Gouache on paper.

Vibhishana (‘Terrifying’) was the more righteous brother of Ravana, demon king of Lanka, who abducted Rama’s wife Sita. When Rama and his monkey and bear allies besieged Lanka, Vibhishana failed to dissuade Ravana from fighting and went over to Rama’s side. He kneels before the recumbent god, who is receiving a foot-massage from the monkey-god Hanuman. The monkey and bear warriors look on, groom themselves or sleep.

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