Against a vermillion red background that symbolises courage and heroism, stands the triumphant form of Lord Panchmukhi Hanuman. His five majestic heads are all facing in different directions as he stands victoriously over the defeated form of Ahiravana in the rocky depths of the netherworld. He is holding several weapons to help drive evil away, like a battle-axe, a discus, a mace, a trident and a sword. Ahiravana was the ruler of Pataal, also called Narak Lok, who was sought out by Ravana in order to defeat Lord Rama. Ahiravana agreed and with maya (illusion), he took the form of Vibishana, Ravana’s honest brother. He deceived Lord Rama and his brother, Lakshman and took them with him.
Hanuman, in order to save his lord, went to the netherworld, where he found out that the king’s life rested in five oil lamps. The only way to annihilate him was to blow out all the lamps at once. In order to do that, he took the form of the striking Panchamuka (five heads). Accompanying him were the faces of Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha as they all blew out the lamps, conquering Ahiravana. This moment of a great victory is etched in gold in this Tanjore painting.
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