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Battle of Ravana and Jatayu, from sarga (chapter) 49 of the Aranya-kanda (Book of the Forest) from a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey) of Valmiki (Indian, active c. mid-1000s BC)
c. 1605
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
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- Title: Battle of Ravana and Jatayu, from sarga (chapter) 49 of the Aranya-kanda (Book of the Forest) from a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey) of Valmiki (Indian, active c. mid-1000s BC)
- Date Created: c. 1605
- Type: Painting
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/2013.306
- Medium: opaque watercolor on paper, text on verso
- Inscriptions: Verso: Text of Battle of Ravana and Jatayu: Sanskrit text in devanagari script: Now [an extraordinary fight ensued] there between the vulture [Jatayu] and the demon [Ravana], quite violent [as if] between two great, winged mountains. With sharp [arrows, broad-headed and made of iron] and spears too, [that immensely powerful demon] forcefully showered [the King of Vultures]. In the course of battle that vulture, Jatayu, Lord of Birds, [confronted] that mass of arrows [the weapons of Ravana], and then he, [that vulture], like a mountain shaken about [fell backward], and with his talons dragged him [Ravana] down, overcome by anger. And that immensely powerful Lord of Birds instantly made his [Ravana’s] limbs bloodied with his sharply taloned feet. Then, Ravana [in a rage] pierced the King of Vultures in battle with [three direct arrows], frightful and swift. And after, he took up his other dreaded arrows on reserve, [with their arrowheads straight]. Each one resembled Death’s staff, [crushing insolence in] enemies. That immensely powerful, mighty demon pierced the [the bird’s body] with [perfectly sharp], golden-feathered arrows . . . . Without even taking those arrows into account, that enraged bird launched himself at Ravana. [Flying upward and then rushing down], raising his wings overhead, he battered [Ravana] with those feathered limbs. [Then, that Lord of Birds, energy blazing, splintered] with his claws [Ravana’s] bow and arrows, adorned with gems and pearls. And that Lord of Birds [splintered] also those very arrows shot [by Ravana]. Then, that immensely powerful [Indra of Birds] [over and over again, pecked at Ravana’s divine crown] made of gold and glittering with every jewel, and [being full of rage, hurled] it through the sky. Like the sun’s halo, it glistened as it sank. [That bird] struck down the asses, with their golden chest armor and devilish [pishacha] faces, and yanking them about, [instantly deprived them of breath]. He [smashed] the fearsomely huge chariot, which flies upon a wish, ornamented from wheel to pole, [each part arrayed in gold] and jewels. Tearing the charioteer from the chariot, [that Lord of Birds], with talons [that seemed like elephant goads, quickly shred him], then tossed him away. Ravana, his bow broken, chariot done with, [his asses killed, his charioteer slain,] fell to the ground, holding Vaidehi [in the crook of his arm]. Seeing Ravana fallen to the ground, his chariot smashed, all the other creatures celebrated the King of Vultures, crying—“Well done, well done!” [And the gods and sages] were amazed when they saw [Ravana, the destroyer of pride among enemy armies,] who was never defeated [by the gods and demons] on the front lines, defeated now [by the best of birds]. Then the denizens of the heavens praised that best of birds—“O excellent one, you have accomplished a difficult task!” The venerable King of Birds, who was extolled, became resolute and once again endured battle.
- Department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Culture: Mughal, perhaps made at Datia for Raja Bir Singh Deo (r. 1605–27)
- Credit Line: Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection
- Collection: Indian Art - Mughal
- Accession Number: 2013.306
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