Invocation, from an Illustrated Rāmāyana manuscript
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- Title
Invocation, from an Illustrated Rāmāyana manuscript
- Related Titles
display title: Invocation
display title: Invocation, from a Rāmāyana manuscript
- Date
1787/1791
- Period
Mughal Dynasty (1526-1857)
- Medium
opaque watercolor on paper
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
image: 8 in x 10 1/2 in
- Collection Area
Asian Art
- Category
Paintings
- Object Type
miniature
illuminated manuscript
- Culture
Indian
- Credit Line
Gift of May Department Stores Company
- Accession Number
2011.131.22
- Copyright
public domain
- Terms
Traditionally, the gods are invoked at the beginning of any manuscript or performance of the Rāmāyana. This page, the first in what was originally a 65-page text, portrays (from left to right) Ganesha, the patron deity of literature and auspicious beginnings; Lakshmi, goddess of wealth; and Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and music, seated on a peacock and holding a vina, a musical instrument.
