One of the rare icons in Nepalese sculpture was the representation of Rania which was located at Rudragadesvara near Kailasha, Pashupati (PI. 16). The cult of Rama has been very popular in Hindu religion and literature; however, the representation of Rama in the early stone sculpture in India, as well as in Nepal, is not as abundant as that of Shiva or Vishnu. Only during the Gupta period were various scenes from the life of Rama carved on the walls, doorways and pillars in Indian temples, such as the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh.
In the panel from Pashupati, Rama, as the central figure, was depicted holding a bow in his left hand while his right hand rested on his hip (PI. 17). He stood on a simple dais in a tribhanga pose. Because of erosion of the stele, some details of the main figure were not clear; however, he seemed to be wearing a three-pointed crown, flat earrings, a necklace and a garment secured by a girdle.
A female figure was standing on his left side, holding a waterpot in her left hand and a fly-whisk in her right hand. She could be identified as Sita, wife of Rama. On his right stood a male figure holding a parasol with both hands. He could be Lakshmana, the devoted brother of Rama, who accompanied Rama when he was exiled in the forest. There was a small female figure kneeling on the right of Rama with folded hands who could be identified as Ahalya.
Although the central figure of Rama dominates the entire panel, the beautifully carved rock motif almost predominates the whole stele, and conveys a feeling as if the divine figure were actually roaming in the hilly terrain. Stylistically, the panel was assigned to the 10th or 1 lth century A.D. This panel was stolen on the night of July 27, 1985.
Herman Goetz, The Early Indian Sculptures from
Nepal, 1965, Fig. 1 .
Details
- Title : Rama
- Year : 10th-11 th century A.D.
- Medium : Grey limestone
- Dimension : Ht. 18 inches
- Accession No : Stolen on the night of July 27, 1985
- Country/ Geo-location : Rudragadesvara, Pashupati
- Collection : Stolen Images of Nepal – Lain S.Bangdel