Shantanoo and Matsyagandha

SHANTANU AND MATSYAGANDHA: Shantanu, the father of Bhishma, went on a hunting trip and reached a forest on the banks of the Ganga. He was enamored with the smell of musk wafting in the air. He went in search of the source of the fragrance and reached the cottage of a fisherman.

This fisherman, much earlier caught a fish and when he cut it open he found a baby girl. Since she had the smell of a fish she was also called Matsyagandha.

Shantanu fell in love with Matsyagandha. This print from the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma captures the scene of Shantanu, dressed in royal and regal attire besotted with the charms of Matsyagandha. Matsyagandha is attired like a fisherwoman clutching an oar in her arm.