Arjuna Beheading Karna with an Anjalike Weapon from the Razmnama (Book of War), 1598–99

The Razmnama (Book of War) is the Persian-language version of the Indian epic the Mahabharata, one of the two most important epics in Indian culture (the other is the Ramayana, an illustrated page from which appears above). This painting, from an imperially commissioned Razmnama, depicts a battle in full flight and features Karna and Arjuna, two of the main protagonists in the Razmnama. In the painting, Arjuna enters the scene on a chariot traveling at full speed, having just released an anja-like weapon (which resembles a thunderbolt) from his bow. At his side, identifiable by his blue skin, is Krishna, the Hindu deity. In firing his weapon toward Karna, Arjuna is flouting traditional battle etiquette, for Karna is defenseless. He has dismounted from his chariot, seen along the left border, and attempts to lift a stuck wheel out of the mud. Arjuna strikes him in the act. An arc of vibrantly painted blood spurts upward from his neck, and his lifeless head rests on the ground, near his feet. The onlooking troops, stunned by this breach of battle decorum, extend their arms toward both Arjuna and Karna.