Rama Hunting Golden Deer

While Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were in the hermitage of Panchavati ashram, Maricha the demon was sent by Ravana to divert Rama and Lakshmana from the ashram and Sita, so that Ravana could abduct her. This evil plan was put into action by sending Maricha in the form of a beautiful golden deer.

To his surprise the deer started luring him away from ashram, but Rama was determined to fulfil Sita’s wish. After chasing it for a while Rama realised it was not an ordinary deer.

In this composition, a closer view shows Rama killing the deer and below the human form of Maricha is exposed.