The Hindu deity Rama

Large, free-standing stone sculptures of the divine hero Rama such as this one, which probably served as the primary image in a temple, are rare in museum collections.

The sculpture’s left arm would have been raised high and would have held a bow, perhaps of gold or silver. Rama has always been thought of as a superb bowman, and the bow becomes one of his primary identifiers in art. The sculpture’s right fist has a hole drilled through it, no doubt to accommodate an arrow.

Though Rama’s divinity had been recognized for more than two thousand years, and his heroic deeds were and are often told in epic poetry, artworks, and performances, temples dedicated to him became common only perhaps nine or ten centuries ago.

Rama is admired not only in India but also in much of Southeast Asia as the model of a victorious, just, and benevolent king. Earthly kings often tried to associate themselves with him by imitating his deeds, adopting one of his names, or commissioning artworks celebrating him (and, by implication, themselves).