Shakuntala Patralekhana Version 2

SHAKUNTALA PATRALEKHANA OR SHAKUNTALA WRITING HER LETTER OF LOVE: Shakuntala grows up in the hermitage of Kanva maharishi. While Kanva and the other elders of the hermitage are away on a pilgrimage, Dushyanta, the king of Hastinapura comes hunting in the forest and chances upon the hermitage. He is captivated by Shakuntala, courts her in royal style, and marries her. He then has to leave to take care of affairs in the capital. The lovelorn Shakuntala writes to Dushyanta besieging his return to her.

This print from the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma depicts Shakuntala writing her letter of love on a lotus leaf. She is sitting in the forest, lost in love as her companions Anusuya and Priyamvada look on.