Jul 23, 2008

Mythological Paintings on the Sea

Matasy Avtar
20'' x 30''
Mixed media on Canvas
75,000/-

                  Matsya Avatar
                                                                                Matsya, the Fish, is the first manifestation of Vishnu in the course of the Deluge: He saved humanity’s forbearers from the flood. Brahma had fallen asleep at the end of the Kalpa and the asura Hayagriva took advantage of this situation to steal the Vedas from him. However, Vishnu caught the asura in the act and decided to done the Matsya avatar to retrieve the Vedas. In this avatar, Vishnu warned Manu of an impending flood and asked him to collect as many seeds, herbs, plants and animals as possible along with the Saptarishi (seven rishis) and build a boat to secure all these. He instructs him that when the flood water increases, he should think of the fish that will then come over to help him out. Vishnu Matsyavatar then seeks out the demon Hayagriva and retrieves the Vedas from the under the conch buried in the sea, returning them Brahma at the beginning of Pralaya.  When the flood begins, Manu boards the boat and then prays to the fish for assistance. Matsya then appears and then uses the great snake Vasuki to tie the boat to a horn that has grown on his head. He then tows the boat to safety and leaves it on the only dry point on the earth, Mount Meru.


The Cosmic egg.
20'' x 30'',
Mixed media on Canvas
1000 US $

( Sold)

Genesis
47''x 20''
Mix Media On Canvas
95,000/-

The Golden Egg lay dormant in the Sea’s womb for eons but Genesis only began when Prakriti (Nature) or the Saguna Brahman merged with the Egg. The Saguna Brahman consists of twenty five elements broadly divided into the five Mahabhutas, the five Tanmatras, the five Indriyas and Karmendriyas, along with Kala (Time).  The Sea looks at the glowing egg in its womb as it starts to reveal the physical form of the Lord Brahma, The Creator, and thus give birth to all Creation itself.


Boons from the depths
(Sagar Manthan)
36''x 48''
Mix Media On Canvas.
2000 US$
(Sold) 
The demons (asuras) and Gods (suras) churned the ocean to extract all the wealth from it, including the elixir, Amrita. The suras were concerned that the asuras would get their hands on Amrita and cause chaos to ensue. Therefore, Lord Vishnu, took the form of the enticing damsel Mohini and tricked the asuras into giving the Amrita to him.
Other gifts that emerged from the Sagar Manthan included Chandra (The Moon God), Lakshmi (The Goddess Of Wealth), apsaras (celestial nymphs(, Kamadhenu (The wish-granting cow) and many more. They are represented on the left of the canvas. At the bottom, we look at the gifts of  oils, fish and articles of aesthetic appeal such as pearls and corals, which we extract from the ocean in  the modern world.



Lakshmi garlands Vishnu
during the Samundra Manthan.
30'' x 42''
Acrylic and Ink on Canvas.
1,75,000/-






Sri Mahalakshami, consort of Vishnu and the Goddess of Fortune, emerged next from the Ksheerasagara, resplendent in all Her glory, smiling benevolently and showering Her blessings to all the Devas present.


















Cosmic leela -  
30''x 42''
Acrylic and Ink On Canvas.
40,000/-




Surya Namashkar
(Not Available)
                               

                       
                     


                                             









                















                                                                            


























4 comments:

Unknown said...

Commendable work of an upcoming artist. The motivation springs from an inner desire to seek harmony,peace and the brighter things of our existence.

ashok kaushal said...

shashi jee gone throgh ur blog,i like the way u paint. wish to see more works in future. congrats.

Ashhhh for you said...

I have gone through you site Shashi and I feel proud to say that that my friend and childhood class mate has risen to this great height in her pursuit of excellence in life. May you rise higher in life. God bless you Shashi!!

Anutosh Deb said...

Impressive blog! Gr8 work and patience. Keep going.
Wish you all the best