№ MMXXVI

RACHNA · A LIVING ARCHIVE

Rachna by M.

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MM · XXVI

Canvas
Mandodari

Shanta

समर्पण

Samarpan

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan
1 min read 5 versesसमर्पणsurrenderकली

5 verses · ~1 min

सूखी सी अधखिली कली है परिमल नहीं, पराग नहीं। किंतु कुटिल भौंरों के चुंबन का है इन पर दाग नहीं॥ तेरी अतुल कृपा का बदला नहीं चुकाने आई हूँ। केवल पूजा में ये कलियाँ भक्ति-भाव से लाई हूँ॥

प्रणय-जल्पना चिन्त्य-कल्पना मधुर वासनाएं प्यारी। मृदु-अभिलाषा, विजयी आशा सजा रहीं थीं फुलवारी॥

किंतु गर्व का झोंका आया यदपि गर्व वह था तेरा। उजड़ गई फुलवारी सारी बिगड़ गया सब कुछ मेरा॥

बची हुई स्मृति की ये कलियाँ मैं समेट कर लाई हूँ। तुझे सुझाने, तुझे रिझाने तुझे मनाने आई हूँ॥

प्रेम-भाव से हो अथवा हो दया-भाव से ही स्वीकार। ठुकराना मत, इसे जानकर मेरा छोटा सा उपहार॥

इति

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan

The Poet

सुभद्राकुमारी चौहान

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan

Mandodari

Paired Painting

Mandodari

Mandodari, the queen of Lanka and wife of Ravana in the epic Ramayana, is revered for her profound wisdom, righteousness, and unwavering devotion, despite the tragic circumstances of her life. In this moving masterpiece by Raja Ravi Varma, Mandodari is depicted inside a sacred temple environment, engaging in quiet acts of charity and spiritual devotion. She stands draped in a resplendent red saree, her gentle gaze filled with grace and compassion as she offers alms to a humble devotee seated below. The artist masterfully captures the architectural grandeur of ancient temple pillars and carved stone structures, juxtaposing worldly royalty with spiritual humility. Through his pioneering synthesis of Western academic realism and deeply Indian narrative sensibilities, Ravi Varma breathes life into the inner nobility of Mandodari, transforming a mythological figure into a profound symbol of empathy, grace, and enduring human dignity.

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If this held you

Four more, in the same key.

Chosen for their rasa and their register, not their popularity. Each one carries some part of what Samarpan carries.