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Notes (the son) to him (Arjuna) at the appropriate time. It is only then that Arjuna will be able to know her
true self. For the present, she is only Chitra, the daughter of a mere king.
On listening to all this patiently, Arjuna is really moved by her words and conveys to his beloved
that his life is full (complete and fruitful).
Critical Remarks
Tagore presents the climax here. Chitra reveals her true self to Arjuna by reminding him of her first
meeting with him which leads to rejection. She had to seek the help of the Gods later, to grant her a
boon of splendour and loveliness in order to ensnare him.
She is simply Chitra, the daughter of a king. She is neither a Goddess to be worshipped nor a pitiable
object to be brushed aside carelessly. Arjuna will be able to know her real self, if he permits her to be
beside him in all dangerous and daring tasks and if he allows her to share duties of his life.
Tagore brings out the message here that woman is not simply a plaything, but a true helpmate and
supporter of man. The conclusion of the play with Arjuna’s words “Beloved, my life is full”, is highly
significant and truly relevant. The readers are reminded of the earlier statement that ‘Illusion is the
first appearance of Truth.” Arjuna wakes from the dreary world to the rugged realities.
Self-Assessment
1. Fill in the blanks:
(i) Chitra meets ............... the god of love.
(ii) Chitra is not at all an expert in ............... archery.
(iii) Chitra goes in scarch of Arjuna and finds him in the forest temple of ............... .
(iv) Chitra dressed herself as a woman and tapped the door of ............... .
19.2 Summary

• The play ‘CHITRA’ is Tagore’s interpretation of an episode from the MAHABHARATA. Chitra,
daughter and only child of the king of Manipur, has been brought up like a boy. She is proud of
her prowess and ‘manliness’ till she falls in love with Arjuna, who spurns her.
• Broken-hearted, Chitra realises the ‘Vain pride of her manlike strength’ and prays to the gods for
a brief ‘day of perfect beauty’ to ensnare Arjuna. Her wish is granted for a year. But Chitra soon
realises that her body had become her enemy, for Arjuna has been attracted by “borrowed beauty”
and Chitra cannot reveal her true self.
• Tagore has handled this delicate story with great charm and the play is embedded with sheer
poetry. This lyrical drama was written in 1913. It is 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, and learning that he was Arjuna the Pandava, told him
that Prabhanjana, one of his ancestors in the kingly line of Manipur, had long been childless. In
order to obtain a heir, he performed severe penances. Pleased with his austerities, the God
Shiva gave him this boon, that he and his successors should each have one child. It so happened
that the promised child had invariably been a son. He, Chitravahana, was the first to have only
a daughter—Chitrangada to perpetuate the race. He had therefore, always treated her as a son
and had made her his heir. Continuing, the king said :
• “The one son that will be born to her must he the perpetuator of the race. That son will he the price that
I shall demand for this marriage. You can take her if you like, on this condition”.
• Arjuna promised and took Chitrangada to wife, and lived in the father’s capital for three years.
When a son was born to them, he embraced her with affection, and taking leave of her and her
father, set out again on his travels.

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