This play is an enactment of the ancient legend of Arjuna and Chitrangada, daughter of the king of Maripur, as originally
told in the Mahabarata. She was raised as a boy, since her father had no male heir. She was a great warrior, the protector and defender of her kingdom and it s people. She fell in love with Arjuna, himself a great warrior and a hero, who had gone into the forest to meditate and to fulfill his vows -- one of which was for twelve years of celibacy. She goes to the gods Madana (Eros), the god of love and Vasanta (Lycoris) the god of springtime and eternal youth. She begs for perfect
beauty for one night of love with Arjuna. The gods grant her one full year. She becomes a vision of divine loveliness and perfect grace. Arjuna falls helplessly in love with her, and they spend a year in dalliance and joy. Eventually he meets some of her people, however, who are terrified of the bandits who are pouring over the borders to attack since she is gone to fulfill her vows. He is curious about Chitra, and comes to long for a woman who can be a boon companion as well as a lover. Chitra''s year of beauty and femininity it over, and she reveals her true self; they are united (a
beautiful gift from the god of love, don''t you think?)
In time, according to the prologue, he gives her and her father the son they need for the succession, and the consequent well-being of their people, to be king after them. He then embraces her and departs, going on his way to continue his travels.
Some of the insights in the play are amazing considering that the author is a man dealing with a woman''s psychology. She berates her beautiful body as being her own rival--she does not feel at home in it, and does not feel comfortable or loved by Arjuna for herself. It is a veil to her true self, and one she can scarcely bear to wear for the year of their love and her inner loneliness, knowing it is transient, and believing he will not care for her at all once her true self and form is revealed. The fact that the exact opposite is true must have come as a joyous and beautiful surprise to her, and perhaps (though the story does not say so) to him as well. Their are speeches of unsurpassed beauty, in praise of each other, and of the transience and beauty of love that are well worth reading the play for themselves, aside from all other considerations.