The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

A Prince Performs Austerities (recto), from a Romance of Chandrabhanu and Lavanyavati of Upendra Bhanja (1670–1740)

1700s

Eastern India, Odisha

(formerly Orissa)
Gum tempera and lampblack on palm leaf
Leaf: 5.1 x 41 cm (2 x 16 1/8 in.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.175.a
Location: Not on view

Description

In this illustration from the beginning of a popular romance, a prince performed intense austerities and devotions to the Shiva linga in order to obtain a divine woman. He practices yoga surrounded by fires during the hot season and wanders unsheltered during monsoon, as seen on the recto. On the verso, Shiva has answered his prayers and returns home to his "cave on Mount Kailash," as stated in the inscription.
  • ?–2018
    Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Barbara Timmer, Beverly Hills, CA, partial sale and gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2018–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=A Prince Performs Austerities (recto), from a Romance of Chandrabhanu and Lavanyavati of Upendra Bhanja (1670–1740)|url=false|author=|year=1700s|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.175.a