Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c76.123

v2.c76.123

About the origin of the science of painting, we get the following story in Citralakṣaṇam: In olden days there was a pious king named Bhayajit. Under him, all the subjects were happy and prosperous. Once a Brahmin came to him crying “Oh! King, there is certainly sin in your kingdom, or why my young son will die untimely? Please get my son back from the other world”. The King accordingly demanded the return of the Brahmin’s son from the god Yama, on whose refusal a fight ensued. Yama was defeated. Then came Brahmā, the creator, who told the King: “Life and death follow karma. Yama has nothing to do with them. You rather draw a picture of the Brahmin’s son”. The King did so. Brahmā put life to that picture and told the King : “As you have conquered the nagna pretas (naked ghosts) you will be, henceforth, known as Nagnajit, you could draw this picture of the Brahmin’s son only through my grace. This is the first picture in this world. You go to the divine Śilpin Viśvakarman, who will teach you everything regarding Citravidyā.”