c. 1725-1750

Rama Pierces the Seven Shala Trees

Although this page was discovered as part of the "Shangri" Ramayana series, it appears to be a later addition that was made in a different town. This episode is from the chapter that relates Rama's encounter with the monkey kingdom during his forest exile. Sugriva, the monkey king, wanted to test Rama's strength to determine if he could overcome Valin, Sugriva's elder brother and rival for the monkey throne. He gave Rama two tasks. In this one, Rama was required to shoot an arrow through a shala tree, but his power was so great that he shot through seven trees with one arrow, which then returned to his bow. Crowned Sugriva and Rama's brother, Lakshmana, stand behind the blue-skinned hero. Rama has just shot the arrow. A thin line marks its wiggling path through the seven trees and it can be seen piercing the ground at the far right.