Saint Shravana Goes to Heaven

Description

Sourced from vintage oleographs produced by the Ravi Varma Press, widely distributed across India to bring sacred epics into domestic shrines and households.

Historical context

This poignant artwork captures a deeply emotional episode from the epics, depicting the noble ascetic Shravana Kumar ascending toward the celestial realms in a divine beam of light. Shravana, renowned for his unwavering devotion and selfless care for his blind aging parents, tragically met his end through an accidental arrow shot by King Dasharatha. Yet, his pure soul transcends earthly sorrow, rising above the sacred funeral pyre as divine beings witness his liberation. Below, grieving figures gaze upward in reverence, embodying the collective grief and spiritual awe of a deeply sacred moment that honors supreme filial piety.