Indrajit Makes Offerings: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series 1715 - 1735

Manaku painted this folio from the Siege of Lanka series in the eighteenth century. Indrajit is shown here making offerings, seated within an enclosed structure topped with a dome reminiscent of stupas, a Buddhist architectural form signifying enlightenment. This dome, an emblem of spiritual transcendence, finds echoes in countless sacred structures across cultures and epochs. Observe how it resurfaces in early Christian art, topping churches, as if to transfer the sacred status of the emperor to the church as a new ruling power. Likewise, Indrajit's meditative pose harkens back to ancient statuary of Buddha, reflecting a similar cross-legged posture symbolizing detachment and inner peace. This is no simple coincidence; such gestures and forms persist through cultural memory. They are deeply ingrained symbols that carry meaning beyond their immediate context. Ultimately, this work speaks to the enduring human quest for meaning, echoing across time and transcending cultural boundaries.