Shakuntala Greeting Sage Kanva After His Return From a Holy Sojourn

While her foster father sage Kanva was away, Shakuntala had met and wedded King Dushyant of Hastinapur, during his sojourn to the hermitage in a secret ceremony. Shakuntala and her companions were worried about how the news of her marriage should be revealed to the sage and sage Kanva’s reaction when this news is disclosed to him.

According to Kalidasa’s narrative, the news of Shakuntala’s matrimony and the state of her pregnancy is revealed to the sage when he is engaged in a ritual sacrifice. A celestial voice from the heavens foretells that Shakuntala’s as yet unborn child from her union with King Dushyant would become a chakravartin, a universal monarch. Sage Kanva according to the text is delighted at the celestial announcement and at Shakuntala’s choice in her husband, and blesses their union.

The artist of the painting however, interprets the narrative and the emotions of the protagonists in a very different way, and possibly mirrors contemporary social mores on matters concerning proper conduct and propriety of young women in choosing their own partners, unsanctioned by their family.

The artist depicts Sage Kanva having just entered the sanctuary of the hermitage, the news of Shakuntala’s union already revealed by the bodiless voice of the heavens. Shakuntala and her friends seemed to have been engaged in making preparations for the morning worship weaving flower garlands. Noticing him coming towards the cottage, Shakuntala has timidly reached up to him and now bows at his feet, while her friends Anusuya and Priyamvada remain seated, one companion engaged in the weaving of the garland, while the other although unengaged in any task, nonetheless stares ahead. Shakuntala’s friends continue with their tasks, ignoring the advent of the sage in the premises of the cottage unable to meet his gaze, and not knowing how to face him.

The artist skillfully depicts the inner emotions and turmoil of the figures through their gestures and facial expressions. The old sage’s heavily lined face looks tired and unhappy and stares straight ahead, not meeting Shakutala’s gaze. His body is turned away from her and he does not raise his hand to bless her, revealing his possible displeasure. Shakuntala bows low, almost touching her head at her feet, revealing her guilt of marrying Dushyant before seeking permission from her foster father, and she both welcomes and seeks an apology through her low salutation.

The uses of diagonal lines and the skillful use of colour weaves the figures in the narrative together.