Supported by The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
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Supported by The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation

Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich

Main name
Пещера Миларайпы
Author name
Cave of Milarespa
1931
tempera on canvas laid on cardboard
34,5×49,5 cm
Series
25915 КП
5579 II
Location of the works
The State Museum of Oriental Art

In Lahul, near Kyeilong, among ancient monasteries, Roerich admired the sacred Mount of Drilbu-ri. He wrote: “Here are the caves of Milarepa. And there are many of them, consecrated by the name of a hermit who listened to the voices of the devas before the dawn.”

(N.K. Roerich. Rishas.)

“The Glorious Atisha, the giant of the doctrine, traveled from India to Tibet to purify the schools. The teacher passed by the hermitage of Milarepa. The great hermit noticed the passing procession and, wishing to experience the strength of the giant of doctrine, was sitting on the end of a blade of grass. The Glorious Atisha, seeing this manifestation of the hermit, got down from the palanquin and also climbed to the end of a neighboring blade of grass. And then the sages exchanged friendly greetings. Milarepa said: “Our knowledge is the same, but why under me the blade of grass slightly bent, and under you it remained straight?” The Glorious Atisha smiled: “Verily, our knowledge is the same, but I go from the country where the Blessed Tathagata himself lived and taught, and the awareness of this face raises me”.”

(N.K. Roerich. Altai – Himalayas.)