Chitralekha (Hinduism)

Chitralekha (Sanskrit: चित्रलेखा, romanized: Citralekhā) is a friend of Uṣā, and the daughter of a minister of Banasura, who ruled from his capital of Śoṇitapura. She employs her magical powers to unite Uṣā with her lover, Aniruddha.[1]

Chitralekha
Chitralekha
Painting of Chitralekha, by Raja Ravi Varma
TextsBhagavata Purana, Mahabharata (Harivamsa), Brahmavaivarta Purana
Personal information
Parents
  • Kumbhananda (father)

Legend

The daughter of Banasura, Uṣā, once dreamt of Aniruddha, the grandson of Krishna. Uṣā fell in love with the youth, despite not knowing his identity. The following morning, after hearing her friend's tale and observing her gloom, Chitralekha made portraits of many known charming princes, but Uṣā was unable to identify them as the youth of her dream. She then drew a portrait of Aniruddha, much to Uṣā's delight. Using her illusory powers, Chitralekha sought the protection of Narada, and then travelled by air to Dvārakā. After describing her friend's dream to the youth, she carried Aniruddha to Ūṣā's room, unnoticed by anyone in Śoṇitapura.[2]

References
  1. www.wisdomlib.org (14 November 2020). "Citralekha Unites Aniruddha with Usha [Chapter 120]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  2. www.wisdomlib.org (20 March 2017). "Citralekha, Citralekhā, Citra-lekha: 18 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  • Krishna.com. Glossary
  • Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
  • Acharya Chandra Shekhar Shastri: Puranon ki Anmol Kahanian, 2006 ISBN 81-902258-6-3


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