Prince Parta’s first exile in Indra’s heaven

This sumptuously embroidered ider-ider reveals a cast of characters from the Mahabharata. Originally intended for a royal palace shrine where it hung high in the eaves, the important personages depicted would have visually linked earthly pursuits with activities underway in Indra’s heaven. Integrated gimp and sequins make the figures shimmer, and borders in shades of lime-green and purple frame the convoluted drama unfolding. Each character’s name is embroidered in Balinese script over their heads (from left to right): Indra, Yamadipati (Yama), Drona, Parta (Arjuna), Citrasena, Duryodana , Indra, Lotama (Wilotama), Parta (Arjuna), Sanang Menaka, Gagang Mayang, Supraba, and Pransil with a kneeling servant. Parta is another name for Arjuna, and he and his father Indra appear twice, suggesting that the story revolves around their relationship. Arjuna spends two long periods in exile in his father’s heavenly court. This cloth depicts his first visit, when he came without his siblings, and learned to sing, dance, and woo nymphs with his poetic skills. In one vignette Arjuna dances gracefully under the guidance of his close friend Citrasena, and in the other he converses amorously with the heavenly nymph Tilotama. Citrasena plays a significant role in the conflict with Duryodana, where he captures the Korawa after defeating him in battle. This leads to a complex series of negotiations where Arjuna and the Pandawa intervene to have Duryodana released. Only Duryodhana and Yama, their eyes bulging, are shown in powerful frontal poses, while the rest are poinsed in three quarter view.