The Artwork

This exquisite early 18th-century painting captures a gentle, human moment from the epic Ramayana - the arrival of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana at the hermitage of Sage Sarabhanga. The scene radiates calm and reverence: sages emerge from their thatched huts, hands folded, welcoming the divine guests into their humble ashram in the Dandaka forest.

Rama, with his bow drawn and body shaded in deep blue, stands poised yet compassionate, embodying both the warrior and the dharmic protector. Sita, serene and graceful, accompanies him, while Lakshmana and the hermits stand in quiet awe. Around them, women of the ashram scatter grains for birds beside lotus-filled ponds, small acts of daily devotion that infuse the scene with life and tenderness.

The entire composition is painted in a harmonious balance, typical of the Shangri Ramayana’s Style III, a bold yet meditative visual rhythm that celebrates order and divine presence in nature.

About the Shangri Ramayana

The Shangri Ramayana is a rare illustrated manuscript tradition that emerged in Northern India during the early 18th century. Rooted in the Pahari school of miniature painting, particularly from regions like Guler and Mandi, this series is recognized for its strong narrative clarity, simplified compositions, and radiant use of color.

Unlike the ornate Mughal or Rajput miniatures, the Shangri Ramayana focuses on emotion and gesture, the storytelling essence of devotion. Each folio is an independent visual meditation on the epic, blending folk simplicity with philosophical depth.

This scene, like others from the collection, uses the red ground as both a literal and symbolic backdrop, the living earth that anchors divine movement in human realms.

Historical and Artistic Context

• Origin: Northern India (Himalayan foothills, likely Guler or Mandi)

• Period: Early 18th Century (c. 1700-1730 CE)

• Medium: Natural pigments on handmade paper

• Style: Shangri Ramayana, Style III - Bold linear contours, simplified landscapes, direct visual storytelling

• Subject: Rama’s arrival at Sage Sarabhanga’s hermitage

• Print Details: 16×24 inches, printed on 350 GSM matte archival paper

Story of the Scene

After years of exile and countless encounters in the forests, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana arrive at the hermitage of the sage Sarabhanga. The hermit, a revered ascetic nearing the end of his life, receives them with joy and humility. His thatched retreat, surrounded by nature’s abundance, becomes a symbol of renunciation and peace.

As the trio approaches, the sages pour offerings, women scatter grains, and celestial calm settles over the forest. Sarabhanga seeks Rama’s blessing before ascending to the celestial realms - a gesture that transforms a quiet hermitage into a gateway between earth and heaven.

This painting immortalizes that intersection - where divinity visits simplicity, and devotion meets liberation.

Why You’ll Love It

This artwork embodies a meditative grace. It’s not the grandeur of battle or divine spectacle, but the stillness of devotion that makes this scene so powerful. The sages’ humility, Sita’s composure, and Rama’s quiet authority come together as a visual hymn to harmony and dharma.

Every brushstroke invites reflection - on peace, presence, and purpose. This piece speaks to anyone drawn to sacred balance and the timeless rhythm between action and surrender.

Order Now

Bring home the serenity of Rama’s Arrival at Sarabhanga’s Hermitage - a rare folio reprint from the Shangri Ramayana, printed in museum-grade clarity on 350 GSM matte paper (16×24 inches).
Perfect for meditation rooms, libraries, or spaces of learning and devotion, this piece radiates tranquility and reverence.

Let your walls tell the story of divine simplicity.