GULER OR KANGRA, NORTH INDIA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

It is possible this scene portrays the moment in the Ramayana when Janaka, King of Mithila, is discussing with Narada how to find an appropriate husband for his daughter Sita. The sage Narada, seated here with his vina, reassures Janaka by saying that Sita is the incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi, and therefore can only be wed to an avatar of Vishnu. They devise a contest in which Janaka promises his daughter's hand to the man who can string the bow of Shiva. The plan draws contestants from all lands to Mithila, including Rama, who proceeds to break the bow in a show of strength, thus revealing himself to be the incarnation of Vishnu. The two are married shortly thereafter.

For another painting depicting the same episode albeit in a more populated setting, from Kangra, dated slightly earlier to circa 1810, see Christie’s New York, 18 September 2013, lot 367.