Pichwai - “Arjuna’s Dilemma”: The Warrior Between Doubt and Duty

Provenance

This artwork takes inspiration from one of the most enduring philosophical moments in Indian thought: Arjuna’s crisis of conscience on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, as described in the Bhagavad Gita. Before the commencement of war, the warrior prince finds himself suspended between personal emotion and sacred duty, confronting questions that continue to resonate across cultures and generations.

Rather than illustrating the epic narrative directly, this contemporary work distills its psychological essence through the visual language of cubist abstraction. The fragmented profile becomes a metaphor for divided consciousness, revealing a mind fractured between hesitation and resolve. Geometric forms subtly evoke the symbolic landscape of the Mahabharata—the curve of the Gandiva bow, the wheel of the chariot, and the rigid architecture of conflict—while remaining intentionally abstract and open to interpretation.

Rendered in a restrained palette of ochre, charcoal, stone, and raw linen tones, the composition shifts focus away from the spectacle of battle toward the interior landscape of human decision-making. The result is a contemplative work that transforms an ancient spiritual dilemma into a timeless reflection on courage, responsibility, and self-realization.

Disclaimer: 

• The frames shown are for display purposes only and are not included with the artwork.
• As these are made-to-order designer pieces, expect minor colour variations from the displayed artwork.