Statuette of Rama

Statuette of Rama
India, 1650-1750
Bronze
(2007.37)
Gift of Prof. William Biers

In times of great evil, the Hindu god Vishnu assumed various forms and descended to earth to restore order and goodness. Tradition lists ten incarnations or avataras for him - nine have already appeared, one is yet to come. Rama, the archer, is the seventh. He is shown here as if stringing an invisible bow. His deeds are told in the great Indian epic the Ramayana in which he overcame the forces of evil. He is regarded as a symbol of incorruptibility, honesty, loyalty and tenderness.

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