Vishwamithra & Menaka

This painting is from Indian mythology which narrates about Vishwamithra and Menaka who are supposed to be the parents of Shakunthala. The celestial Deva Indra commands the damsel Menaka to descend to the Earth to divert the sage from his hard penance, since Vishwamithra is known for challenges. Beautiful Menaka who is apsara woman, known for her charm, attempts to lure the sage. So the sage is carried away by her beauty and fails to complete his penance. Then Shakuntala is born to them . She gets married to the great king Dushyantha and so goes the narration. I feel, this is an attempt to bring my imagination to reality by way of painting.

oil on canvas