This panchaloha sculpture from Swamimalai, the home of India’s contemporary bronze sculptural tradition, depicts the Lord Rama as He was during His forest-dwelling years. The tall and handsome son of Lord Dasharatha bears a staff in His hands to help Him guide His wife and brother through the thick wilderness surrounding Ayodhya. He is clad in the silk dhoti that befits a prince. A narrow crown towers high above His head, keeping with traditional Southern iconography of the devas.
Slung over His right shoulder is a quiver of arrows. He employs them with the greatest deftness - in fact, His skill as an archer won Him the beauteous Seeta and earned Him victory over the powerful Ravana. The bow and/or arrows are an integral aspect of the iconography of Lord Rama. Note the danda in His right hand, which is symbolic of the ascetic tendencies facilitated by vanavasa.
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