Birth of Shakuntala - 02

This oleograph of the “Birth of Shakuntala” is by Raja Ravi Varma. Vishwamitra, depicted here with his arm raised, was a respected rishi (sage) who was meditating so successfully that Lord Indra felt he might come for his throne. Indra sent a beautiful apsara (celestial nymph) Menaka from heaven, to entice Vishwamitra to break his meditation. Menaka was successful and after a time their daughter was born. In this image Vishwamitra rejects Menaka and the baby as they are a reminder of his failure. Menaka then left the baby by the river, where she was found by Rishi Kanva surrounded by Shakunta birds. Hence her name, Shakuntala.