Sambara and Rati Guler-Chamba, circa 1780
Kapoor Galleries Inc. wrote : Emerging from his humble cave dwelling is the demon Sambara alongside Rati, the Hindu goddess of love and counterpart to Kama.
In a past life, the beautiful Rati was married to Kama before he was incinerated by Shiva. Devastated by the death of her husband, Rati underwent severe penance and was eventually granted the boon of his reincarnation. In order to accompany her husband into his rebirth, Rati abandoned her former body to be reborn as Mayavati, the wife of Sambara. Rati was then told that Kama’s reincarnation, Pradyumna, would someday slay Sambara, reuniting the lovers once again.
Compared to Mayavati-Rati’s small frame and delicate features, Sambara exudes virile power as he puts his arm around her. His large body is covered in finely rendered hairs and his eyebrow is raised in a seductive manner, eyes filled with lust.
Despite the sexual tension in this scene, however, Mayavati-Rati never sleeps with Sambara, who is technically her husband. Although Rati is the Hindu goddess of carnal desire, lust, and sexual pleasure, she remains pure and untouched, donning an illusionary form to enchant Sambara. Saving herself for her true husband, Pradyumna, Mayavati only ever gives Sambara her shadow in bed—hence the name Maya, meaning illusion.
The present painting depicts Sambara leading Mayavati from a cave made of striking pink and gray rocks. The lush green Pahari foothills are interspersed with diminutive trees, making the pseudo-couple appear larger than life. Belonging to a transitional period, this painting exhibits traits from both the Guler and Chamba schools of painting.
(via Instagram: Kapoor Galleries Inc.)
