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PAINTINGS

Digital art pictures from puranic and tantric scriptures by Rajesh Srivatsa
e-mail: rajesh@detna.com

October 2009

The Divine
This is an attempt by Rajesh Srivatsa to create spiritual environment through the digital art pictures.

The symbols, colors and details used in the images are taken from both the puranic and tantric scriptures. But not direct adaptions of those details.

Shabda mantras and Beeja mantras shown in Devanagari and English texts are selected very carefully. Because it's well known that energy created from the sounds of these mantras may affect in both ways - good or evil. In some pictures mandalas are shown.

Mandals are nothing but a symbolic map of universe. Sometimes they may represent all 14 Lokas as in 'Srichakra' sometimes it may represent any single loka like in Ganesh yantra. Sometimes it may represent palace of the deity or may be just a place arrangement. Most of these maps contain bhupuras (outer border with openings at 4 directions), circles, lotus, and six cornered figure and a triangle inside it and finally a dot at the centre inside that triangle.


Ganesha

Ganesha: According to Gaanapatya tantric cult Ganesha is the Parabrahmathe supreme energy. When there was nothing before the formation of universe the space was filled with a sound 'Gam'. Gam is the moola bijakshara of Ganesha. Parabrahma emerged in the form of Ganapathi with ultimate cosmic sound 'OM'. ( Gam which initiates everything and we can recall Ganesha is to be worshiped first before any activity even before the worship of other gods.) With his emergence, all the obstacles were removed for the creation of the world. This picture illustrates emergence of Ganesha from 'Gam' Mandala with Omkara in his hands and stomach. He is shown in red color. In Yoga the first chakra of the kundalini is Mooladara Chakra which is in red color at the bottom end of the back bone of our body and Ganesha is the God of Mooladhara Chakra and also in Ganpathiatharvasheersha it was said that Ganesha is 'Rakhavarna' (deep red or blood red literally) (red is one of the three primary colors) and green cactus like textures around him are symbolic of obstacles getting removed with the emergence of Ganesha.


Bhadra Ganesh

Bhadra Ganesh: Here Bhadra means Mangal. Ganesh is the mangalaroopi with concerts Siddhi Devi and Riddhi Devi. Kshema and laabha are the two sons of Ganesh (however many holy texts says he is unmarried) according to Vijayagama shipla samhitha, Bhadra Ganesh has only two hands, red in color, dressed with red clothes, pictures drawn from ashtagandha (eight kind of aromatic substances) along his trunk, having his own tusk (Shubh) piece in the right hand and lotus (Laabh is also lotus, symbol of Lakshmi) in the left hand, brihath-udhara means large stomach, riding on a car pulled by two rats after a satisfied meal, he is in a happy mood and 'Shantha Netra' very calm eyes holy spirits showering flowers on his path, shown symbolically. Dharshan of Bhadra Ganesh in the morning results in a joyful whole day.



Surya

Shiva




Varaha

Krishna / Murali Mohana


Narasimha

Narasimha: One of the most celebrated incarnations of lord Vishnu. Lord revealed himself as the ferocious Man-Lion bursting out of pillar. Though he is ferocious he is dearest to his devotees, his hands in the abhaya (protection) and varada (boon bestowal) gestures. Kshroum beejakshra of Narasimha, here Narasimha has been shown as bursting out from the pillar with cosmic light surrounding him which is symbolised by mandala or six cornered shape with sound Kshroum. Though lord has lion face most of puranic details describes him as 'Shwetha Varna' white in color. But it is enclosed by burning sparks of fire that emanate from his body itself. Display of Narasimha figures in homes removes insecure feelings from the minds of people living there and destroy evil, black magic powers from the place.


Agni Durga / Jwalaa Devi

Agnidurga / Durga is worshiped all over the country as a great Mother. She is the Goddess of energy. In Vedic period she was associated with 'Agni', the Fire God and also with Sun God. She is Soorya Mandala Madyastha, means residing in Soorya mandala. She is the Mahamaya (Great Illussion) power of Vishnu and Shakti (energy) of Shiva. She is the power which destroys darkness (tamoharini) here she is surrounded by panchagni (5 flames) holding weapons discus, conch (weapons of Vishnu) a trident (weapon of Shiva and Mangalagni (fire which brings good fortune).


Karyasiddhi Hanuman

Karyasiddhi Hanuman: A rare figurative form of Hanuman (Bhaktha Anjaneya, Veeranjaneya are very common figurative forms) worshiped in some parts of Karnataka. Shilpa shastras give details as Hanuman returning from Lanka after he found Sita in Ashoka Van. He is sitting before Sri Ram obediently but proudly after his completion of great task. He is reporting all details to Ram and showing him 'Choodamani' (pearl bindiya on her forehead given by her father as a gift) got from Sita for exchange of Sri Rama's ring. Sugreeva king of Vanaras allowed all the monkeys to loot the royal garden (symbolically shown with mango and coconut bunches) to celebrate this happy occasion which is shown as monkeys dancing around Hanuman in the figure. Ham is the one of Hanuman's beeja mantras. It is said that the way to get Hanuman's blessings to finish great tasks is by worship of Hanuman in the form of 'Karyasiddhi Hanuman'.


Naga

Naga: Snakes are considered as holy spirits and is associated with most of the gods in Hindu religion. Nagas are responsible for the security of the hidden treasures Shankha nidhi and Padma nidhi shown at the bottom of the mandala. Naga worship removes obstacles and bad fortunes for marriages and in having descendants. Usually 9 main nagas are worshiped in practice Anantha , Kalinga, Vasuki, Karkotaka, Padma, Shesha , Dritharastra and Shanka. At the top Navanaga mandala is shown with all beejaksharas. Langula 'plounge weapon' for protection are shown in all directions. In some parts of the country nagin's with eggs along with nagas are worshiped, as in puja agamas, if nagas are to be worshiped in pictures - they should have white and yellow color.


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