# Man Dhata in Yogi Position

- Date: c. 1690–1700
- Medium: Gum tempera and ink on paper
- Classification: Painting
- Dimensions: Overall: 20 x 14 cm (7 7/8 x 5 1/2 in.)
- Culture: India, Pahari, Nurpur, late 17th Century
- Credit line: Edward L. Whittemore Fund
- Museum: [Cleveland Museum of Art](https://clevelandart.org/art/1966.27)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://invisiblenetwork.ai/thumbs/cma/1966.27/1966.27_web.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

An unconventional ruler portrait depicts Raja Mandhata of Nurpur (reigned 1661/1667–1700) engaged in yogic practice, raising his breath to pierce the three knots (ghranti) of the subtle body. The knots, which are located at the base of the spine, the heart, and between the eyebrows, are identified, respectively, with the deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra (Shiva).

This rare image of the ghranti points to the key role that kings played in creating yoga’s visual culture.