- 14
An illustration from the Mahabharata: Arjuna embraces asceticism for a year
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- An illustration from the Mahabharata: Arjuna embraces asceticism for a year
Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper
- image 13 1/2 by 17 5/8 in. (34.3 by 44.7 cm.)
- folio 15 1/2 by 20 in. (39.4 by 50.8 cm.) unframed
The illustration employs a continuous narrative scheme and depicts Arjuna paying obeisance to his elder brother Yudhisthir seated on a horse on the left, followed by the next scene in the sequence on the right, where Arjuna is shown seated with an ascetic who has just helped him discard his armor.
Catalogue Note
The episode possibly belongs to the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata where Arjuna embraces asceticism for a year to atone for erroneously entering the private chambers of Draupadi, the common wife of the five Pandava brothers, while she was with his eldest brother Yudhisthir.
We would like to thank Mrs. Alka Bagri for her assistance with the identification of this scene.