Among the Ashta Nayikas of Pahari painting, who awaits her beloved’s return from a voyage and decorates the bed with flowers in a welcoming gesture?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Vasaksajja
Option (1) Kalahantarita — Incorrect. Kalahantarita resists her beloved when he seeks to soften her pride, and repents when he comes late. She is not the one who prepares a welcome.
Option (2) Svandhinpatika — Incorrect. Svandhinpatika is the heroine whose husband is subject to her will. She is not described as awaiting a return from a voyage.
Option (3) Utka — Incorrect. Utka is the heroine who anticipates the arrival of her beloved and waits patiently for him. She waits for his arrival but is not described as decorating the bed.
Option (4) Vasaksajja — Correct. Vasaksajja awaits her beloved’s return from a voyage and decorates the bed with flowers to welcome him.
NCERT (2026-27): “Depiction of Ashta Nayikas or eight heroines is one of the most painted themes in Pahari paintings, involving the depiction of women in various dispositions and emotive states. To mention a few — Utka is the one who is anticipating the arrival of her beloved and patiently waits for him, Svandhinpatika is the one whose husband is subject to her will, Vasaksajja awaits her beloved’s return from a voyage and decorates the bed with flowers in a welcoming gesture, and Kalahantarita is the one who resists her beloved when he seeks to soften her pride and repents when he comes late.” |