Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c78.s2.42

v2.c78.s2.42

The place of painting in the cultural life of ancient Indians, i. e., the manifold purposes which this fine art used to cater to the service of men and women are also recounted by this greatest of great genii of India. Mālavikāgnimitra (31) gives out the picture as coming the to rescue of a lady in love to see the protrait of her lover in portrait maintaining her bashfulness. Pictures were also very useful in giving the wider knowledge of the world. Śakuntalā could be depicted in polished ornaments by her hermit girl companions sheerly because of having observed them in pictures (32). Pictures of beautiful princesses were sent round to princes to win their hearts (33). The most universal element of the utility of the pictorial art is the pleasure 'Vinodasthāna' what is acclaimed by Duṣyant in the Śākuntalam (Act. vi.).