Four pages from a Mahabharatha series
This lot is offered without reserve.
Four pages from a Mahabharatha series

INDIA, RAJASTHAN, LATE 18TH CENTURY

Details
Four pages from a Mahabharatha series
India, Rajasthan, late 18th century
The first with a king and young ascetic seated on a pavilion, below, while a queen in yogic position is seated in the garden, above; the second with an ascetic carrying a vina and standing beneath a large tree; the third with a king seeking the counsel of an ascetic in the woods, a horse-headed king below; and the fourth with a king and an ascetic above, and a king lying in the lap of another below, separate from a demon by a tree
Each 11 x 7½ in. (28 x 19 cm.), framed (4)
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Lot Essay

The lower right corner of the last painting depicts a pivotal scene in the life of Karna. Karna realized his warrior caste would not allow him to receive an education, and so he approached the great teacher Parashurama under the guise of a brahman, who agreed to teach him. One day, when Parashurama requested Karna to bring him a pillow so that he could nap outside, Karna offered him his lap instead. While his teacher slept, Karna was bitten by a wasp but he did not move so as not to disturb his guru. The deep bite caused blood to flow, as depicted, and woke the guru, who immediately deduced that Karna was only able to withstand the pain because he was from the lower caste of warrior, and cursed Karna for lying to him. This curse leads to Karna's downfall during the final epic battle.

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