In Northern India, the Rama Chandra avatar is perhaps the most
popular of all the incarnations of
Vishnu and certainly the
Ramayana, in which his history is found, contains some of the
most beautiful legends in the whole of the sacred writings of the
Hindus.
This prayer cloth in yellow, a colour symbolic of devotion and
religion, has the chant 'Shri Sita Ram' inscribed in red.
Auspicious Vaishnavite symbols fill the space between the
invocation mantra. On the vertical borders, in a circular frame
is the picture of eternal love and devotion that all Hindus hold
sacred. In the middle stands Lord Rama, flanked by his wife Sita
and brother Lakshmana. He is dressed as a Suryavanshi prince,
replete with crown, jewellery and garlands. He holds a bow in one
hand and a quiver of arrows adorn his right shoulder. Sita and
Lakshmana are also dressed in a similar royal manner. At the feet
of Rama sits Hanumana, devotion and dedication personified. Hindu
mythology and history end their search of a supreme devotee with
Hanuman. Here, he offers flowers to his lord and his mace lies
next to him. What makes the picture perfect is that it includes
the epitome of fraternal affection, love of a wife for her
husband, together with devotion of a devotee towards his Lord.
The image infuses love and brotherhood, hence its importance.