Vishnu resting on the ocean accompanied by Lakshmi, Tumbara, Hanuman, Narada, Garuda and Brahma sitting on a lotus. Chromolithograph.

Ganesha and his two wives, Siddhi and Buddhi, surrounded by six attendants and his rats. Chromolithograph.

Ganesha. Chromolithograph.

Page 121: Sita being lured by a disguised Ravana, while Rama and Laksmana hunt in the forest. Watercolour drawing.

Half-clothed Tilottama flying in the sky playing with a red ball. Chromolithograph by R. Varma.

Rama fighting with his sons with the help of Hanuman over a horse sacrifice. Watercolour drawing.

A disguised Ravana luring Sita away. Chromolithograph.

Durga slaying the Buffalo demon depicted on a stand and surmounted on a torana decorated with smaller figures of demon kings and Hindu gods. Transfer lithograph.

Narasimha disembowelling Hiranyakasipu in front of his son and attendants. Chromolithograph, 1883.

Parvati enthroned nursing Ganesha. Watercolour drawing.

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The Śarabha/Śarabheśamūrti is a fierce creature, part man, part beast and bird whose shape is assumed by Siva to punish Narasiṁha for having killed the Śaiva devotee Hiraṇyakaśipu

The Sarabha: a mythical creature connected with Shiva. Gouache drawing.

1 drawing : gouache, with gold and oxidised silver

The god Vishnu in his fish avatar, Matsya, vanquishing the demon Hayagriva (left), who had stolen the sacred scriptures (Vedas) from the god Brahma. Gouache drawing.

Double picture: Durga slaying the buffalo demon, Shri Deri; Shri Dattatreya with a cow, two worshippers and dog. Transfer lithograph.

King Janamejaya was the son of Parikshit and great-grandson of Arjuna. Parikshit died from a snake/serpent-bite, hence Janamejaya performed a great sacrifice of serpents (nāgas). Janamejaya also conquered the Nāga people of Taksha-sīla and is also called Sarpa-sattrin

1 print : chromolithograph ; border 35.8 x 36.6 cm

The serpent sacrifice. Chromolithograph.

Damayanti was the wife of Nala, King of Nishanda whom she chose over four gods during a swayam-vara; Nala being her true love even the gods had assumed his form. Though they married and were happy with two children. Nala was a gambler and tempted to play dice with Kali, a personification of the Kali or iron age who was angry he had missed the swayam-vara. Kali revenged himself by the ruin of Nala via gambling, thus making Nala gamble his kingdom and everything he owned away. Nala's rival, Pushkara became king and banished Nala to the forest, Damayanti followed her husband, but Nala abandoned her hoping she would return to her father's kingdom and so as not to suffer, however Damayanti wandered the forest in distress looking for her husband

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Hindu mythology

Images

Works

The Sarabha: a mythical creature connected with Shiva. Gouache drawing.

The god Vishnu in his fish avatar, Matsya, vanquishing the demon Hayagriva (left), who had stolen the sacred scriptures (Vedas) from the god Brahma. Gouache drawing.

Double picture: Durga slaying the buffalo demon, Shri Deri; Shri Dattatreya with a cow, two worshippers and dog. Transfer lithograph.

The serpent sacrifice. Chromolithograph.

Damayanti deserted in the forest: part of the story of Damayanti and Nala. Chromolithograph by R. Varma.

Today’s opening times

Wellcome uses cookies.

Hindu mythology

Images

Works

The Sarabha: a mythical creature connected with Shiva. Gouache drawing.

The god Vishnu in his fish avatar, Matsya, vanquishing the demon Hayagriva (left), who had stolen the sacred scriptures (Vedas) from the god Brahma. Gouache drawing.

Double picture: Durga slaying the buffalo demon, Shri Deri; Shri Dattatreya with a cow, two worshippers and dog. Transfer lithograph.

The serpent sacrifice. Chromolithograph.

Damayanti deserted in the forest: part of the story of Damayanti and Nala. Chromolithograph by R. Varma.

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times