Chitra

Preface: This lyrical drama was written about 25 years ago. It's based on the following story from the Mahabharata: In the course of his wanderings, in fulfilment of a vow of penance, Arjuna came to Manipur. There he saw Chitrangada, the beautiful daughter of Chitravahana, the king of the country. Smitten with her charms, he asked the king for the hand of his daughter in marriage. Chitravahana asked him who he was, & learning that he was Arjuna the Pandara, told him that Prabhanjana, one of his ancestors in the kingly line of Manipur, had long been childless. In order to obtain an heir, he performed severe penances. Pleased with these austerities, the god Shiva gave him this boon, that he & his successors should each have one child. It so happened that the promised child had invariably been a son. He, Chitravahana, was the 1st to have only a daughter Chitrangada to perpetuate the race. He had, therefore, always treated her as a son & had made her his heir. Continuing, the king said: "The one son that will be born to her must be the perpetuator of my race. That son will be the price that I shall demand for this marriage. You can take her, if you like, on this condition." Arjuna promised & took Chitrangada to wife, & lived in her father's capital for three years. When a son was born to them, he embraced her with affection, & taking leave of her & her father, set out again on his travels.

Prefata: Aceasta drama lirica a fost scrisa acum aproximativ 25 de ani. Se bazeaza pe urmatoarea poveste din Mahabharata: In cursul ratacirilor sale, in indeplinirea unui juramant de penitenta, Arjuna a venit la Manipur.