Sita Vanavas

SITA VANAVAS OR THE FOREST LIFE OF SITA: Although this print is entitled ‘Sita Vanavas’, it is derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma entitled ‘Shakuntala's Impending Calamity’ and it is more likely that it depicts Shakuntala rather than Sita Vanavas. The second reason for this inference is because the lady in the picture is adorned with bangles strung with flowers rather than jewels. The person in the background is more likely to represent Vashishta rather than Valmiki as he is represented as an aggressive figure.

If this print represents Sita Vanavas, it is depicts the scene of Sita being abandoned in the forest being sheltered by Valmiki in his ashram.

If this print represents Shakuntala, it represents the scene when Shakuntala is lost in contemplation of Dushyanta when Vashishta visits the ashram. Shakuntala, being oblivious to his presence, he curses her that her lover would lose all memory of her. He is thereafter implored to withdraw his curse. Vashishta relents and says the curse would be absolved when Dushyanta sees the signet ring given to Shakuntala.