Rama killing Viradha (Virada) in Dandakaranya
Rama killing Viradha
This intricately carved bas-relief depicts a scene from the Rama killing Viradha in Dandakaranya episode narrated in the Indian epic Ramayana. It is carved into a three-framed stone panel installed in the inner walls of the balustrade of the corridor surrounding the inner sanctum of the Shiva Temple, the main temple in the Prambanan temple complex, located 11 miles northeast of Yogyakarta in Indonesia.
Check the Prambanan Bas-Reliefs page to read more about the bas-reliefs in the Prambanan temples.
Here is the story behind the scene depicted in the bas-relief:
Rama spent 13 of the 14 years of exile in Dandakaranya, a forest that was home to many noble rishis (sages) as well as evil rakshasas (demons). Viradha was one of the rakshasas who was attacking the rishis and animals and destroying vegetation in Dandakaranya. No weapons could kill Viradha as he possessed supernatural powers from the vara (boon) he received from Brahma. Because of this vara, he was fearless.
As Rama is wandering in Dandakaranya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, Viradha arrogantly confronts Rama and tries to snatch his wife Sita. Enraged by this act, Rama tries to kill Viradha by burying him since weapons could not kill him. As he lay dying, he morphs into a gandharva (a type of demigod), which was his original form, and thanks Rama for releasing him from the curse that made him a rakshasa.
As you can see from the image, the three frames of this bas-relief capture the essence of the story. The right frame shows Viradha morphing himself into a gandharva. The middle frame shows Rama holding a bow aiming at Viradha. To his right are his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita. The left frame has an unknown deity surrounded by two figures watching the scene.
Ramayana Related Images
– Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leaving Ayodhya for exile
– King Dasharatha’s funeral
– Dancing at the inauguration of Bharata
– Ravana abducting Sita
– Rama slaying Mareecha
– Rama killing Kabandha
– Vanara Sené building Rama Setu
Other Related Images
– Shiva Temple
– Corridor surrounding the inner sanctum of the Shiva Temple
Related Pages
– Prambanan, Prambanan Bas-Reliefs, Borobudur, Bali, Indonesia
– Angkor Wat, Angkor Wat Bas-Reliefs, Banteay Srei, Cambodia
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