Lakshmana hangs his hunt on a tree

This folio portrays the life-routine at Panchavati in deep south where Rama, Sita and Lakshmana have decided to stay for the rest of the period of their exile. Obviously a picture of life as depicted in the Ramayana by Valmiki where Rama - a Kshatriya, hunts and eats meat, an aspect that in consideration of the social- religious conditions of his time Tulsidasa did not include in his version. Lakshmana seems to have hunted a deer and for securing is hanging it on the branch of a tree. Significantly, the artist has painted five trees - 'pancha vatas, the place inherits its names from. Lakshmana is using one of them for storing his hunt. The spot is peaceful and beautiful. Besides the five lush green dense trees on one side of the folio a large part of the space is covered with a green meadow and a beautiful small lotus pond, and the other part, with pinkish rocks of granite. Rama and Sita are relaxing there in the calm and serene atmosphere. However, there reflects on Rama's face great alertness, perhaps being in an alien land infested by notorious demons. His one hand is on the bow and the other is resting on the ground. He is clad in yellow clothes and a blue halo or nimbus indicating his royalty; similarly Sita is wearing a golden dress with a golden halo. Her face is slightly bent. She is holding a garland of jasmine flowers in her hand. Lakshmana returns from the forest with a hunted deer and is seen hanging it on the branch of a tree. Rama and Sita however feel unconcerned in regard to this activity of Lakshmana. He is wearing a yellow spread and brown sandals. Some birds are sitting on the branches of trees. The composition of the painting is simple and is dominated by the rocks and cluster of huge trees with dark green leaves. The colour ensemble is rich, harmonious and attractive.