Observe the image and answer the following question.
What is the purpose of the journey of Rama and Lakshmana with the sage in the painting in the image?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Defeating demons in the forest
Option (1) Joining the hermits in their meditative practices — Incorrect. The demons disturbed the hermits’ meditative practices; the princes go to stop the demons, not to meditate.
Option (2) Defeating demons in the forest — Correct. Sage Vishvamitra takes Rama and Lakshmana to the forest to defeat the demons who distressed the hermits and contaminated their rituals.
Option (3) Going into exile from Ayodhya — Incorrect. The exile appears in another folio of the set, Rama gives away his possessions, from the Ayodhya Kanda.
Option (4) Hunting the wild animals of the forest — Incorrect. The wolf and tiger half hidden behind trees show a thick, dangerous jungle and the courage of the princes; they are not being hunted.
NCERT (2026-27): “Rama and Lakshmana following sage Vishvamitra to the forest Another painting from the same set depicts Rama and Lakshmana accompanying sage Vishvamitra to the forest to defeat the demons, who would distress the hermits by disturbing their meditative practices and contaminating their rituals. An interesting feature of this painting is the representation of animals, stealthily prowling behind trees, half hidden in the heavy outgrowth.”
“Rama and Lakshmana following sage Vishvamitra to the forest, Bala Kanda, Shangri Ramayana 1680–1688, Raja Raghbir Singh Collection, Shangri, Kullu Valley, India” |
