Cosmic Gateway

This painting is inspired by the mystic pre-historic petroglyph known as “Sakwala Chakra” located at Isurumuniya in the sacred city Anuradhapura, North Central Sri Lanka.
Sakwala Chakra begs the question whether the ancient Sri Lankan ruler Ravana who is credited with superhuman powers has had any alien connection? If so was it done through a stargate link ? Sounds incredible. But this unique stone inscription may shed some light on this mystery.
The petroglyph is claimed to have been created at least 5000 years ago, around the same time Ravana ruled Lanka. Some believe Sakwala Chakra to symbolize a stargate with inter-dimensional potential. Similar inscriptions are reportedly found at Abu Ghurab close to the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and as star codes in Chichen Itza in Mexico.
Besides adding perspective to the deftly inscribed stone carving of what seems like a key to a cosmic gateway, the painting also portrays the stone carving of two unidentified figures that can also be seen nearby at Isurumuiya.

Green Tara on Lotus

A KarmicEye rendition of Mahayana Buddhist deity Green Tara, whose name in Sanskrit means ‘star’. She is regarded as a goddess of universal compassion, peace and protection. According to Hinduism Green Tara was worshipped as the manifestation of deity Parvati, the consort of Lord Siva.
According to Mahayana Buddhist belief Green Tara was born out of the tears that fell from the right eye of Bodhisattva Avaloketesvara.
Emerald Green Tara is often depicted sitting on a lotus throne as she protects her faithful against earthly dangers in their journey towards enlightenment.

REDEMPTION

 

KarmicEye painting with focus on the redemptive power of Compassion as depicted in the ancient Buddhist Jataka story on how a villainous serial killer was able to turn himself into a devout Arahat or one who attained Enlightenment.

 

As chronicled in Buddhist scriptures Ahimsaka (the harmless one) a brilliant student was led astray by his Guru whose mind was poisoned with falsehoods by envious fellow students.  The Guru who believed the cruel lies demanded from Ahimsaka 1000 human fingers as final payment for the teaching.

 

In order to please the guru the loyal student resorted to violence, killing unsuspecting travellers as he gathered their fingers in a garland. 

Ahimsaka soon came to be known as Angulimala (killer with necklace of finger bones) as he continued to terrorize people with his gruesome activity.

 

Having collected 999 fingers the man was on the verge of seeking the last finger when he saw the Buddha walking serenely in the woods. Running after the Buddha wielding a sharp weapon Angulimala shouted at Buddha to stop. But for some inexplicable reason the killer could not get close to the Noble One though he had already stopped walking. He had no anger or fear as he stood showing no resistance whatsoever but only compassion.

 

It is during this encounter that the ruthless Angulimala bewildered as he was, also realized the very futility of his dreadful mission. Having listened d to the Buddha, he vowed to follow the compassionate ways as he sought salvation while renouncing the evil path.

 

This meaningful Jataka story shows how Enlightenment or Nirvana could be attained even under the most extreme situations through compassionate persuasion and example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Siva’s Cosmic Dance

NATARAJA the dance of bliss by the supreme Hindu deity Lord Siva is considered one of the most important aspects of the faith that symbolizes the concept of never-ending cosmic cycle of time.

Known also as ‘ Anandatandava’ is a dance of evolution. This graceful dance in its very essence manifests the eternal energy of creation, preservation, destruction and protection. The lord of dance has four arms outstretched at four primary directions, each hand denoting respective gestures known as ‘Mudras.’

In the upper right hand Siva holds an hourglass shaped drum that conveys sound which originates creation, the very pulse of the universe. In his upper left hand is a flame that denotes destruction of all that is evil. The lower right hand is stretched in “Abhaya Mudra” or a gesture of protection from evil, while the lower left hand points to the feet signifying removal of ignorance.

With the left leg party raised and hand pointing downwards in what is known as the ‘Gajahasta Mudra’ or elephant trunk gesture is said to honor Lord Siva’s son Lord Ganapathi the remover of obstacles.

As he dances Siva steps on the body of Apasma Purusha, a dwarf who embodies negative elements that leads humankind astray like illusion, ignorance, egotism, laziness and indifference.

In this KarmicEye painting three other symbols associated with Lord Siva are also being featured. These are Trishula or trident as his weapon; Siva Linga a symbol of energy and the Nandi Bull the deity’s mount.

Skanda Sakthi

This KarmicEye painting is dedicated to the Vel or the divine spear of Lord Kataragama or Skanda who is also known to devotees as Murugan, Kartikeya and Subramaniya among others.

According to legend Lord Skanda is the second son of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati. He vanquished the evil forces of the Asuras with the Vel that was given to him by his mother for that very purpose.

The cosmic prowess of the righteous Vel in effect was being used to destroy the Asuras known as Surapadman, Singamugan and Taraka Asura that represented fear, hatred, greed and arrogance. Its infinite wisdom is capable of destroying chains of bad karma that one accumulates during many life cycles.

The Vel is a mystic and powerful weapon of purification and wisdom. Devotees treat it with ultimate reverence.

This painting also features Lord Skanda’s two consorts Teyvanai and Valli on either side of the Vel. Skanda’s mount the peacock is represented by a flock of its colorful feathers. The peacock is regarded as the destroyer of negative human habits, while the snake at its feet helps dispel ego and desire.

The symbolism of Skanda fundamentally points towards perfection in life.

Saraswathi

Hindu deity Saraswathi is venerated since the time of ancient Vedas as the divine patroness of the arts, sciences, music, knowledge and learning among others. According to legendary scriptures she is the consort of Brahma of the Hindu holy trinity. Saraswathi with her Sakthi or power is said to have helped Brahma create the universe as well as support  him to sustain the cosmos.Saraswathi’s very name denotes flow and thus  associated with a river. Besides being the mother of the Vedas and a goddess of creativity, Saraswathi personifies beauty and perfection. She is also known as one of the guardian deities of Buddhism.
This KarmicEye painting depicts Saraswathi in her traditional form holding the Veena an ancient string instrument  as symbolic of the arts and music, a papyrus book for knowledge and a Mala or rosary for meditation. Her preferred vehicle the Swan is credited of having the  knowledge in separating the pure from impure as well as the ability to remove ignorance while enhancing knowledge. The peacock is a two-fold reminder about the futility of vanity as well as a symbol of success and fame. Signifying eternal womanhood the deity is seated on lotus while the stylized moon above provides credence to the legend that her body glows more than a thousand rays of the moon, as it influences the mind for creativity. Legend also points to her association with Suriya the sun god. Being the daughter of mother goddess Parvati or Durga, Saraswathi is said to be the sister of Ganadevi, Kartikeya and Lakshmi.

Sujata’s Entreaty

In seeking the truth Siddhartha Gautama also practiced extreme austerities like any hermit for six long years besides deep meditation.
A beautiful and a highly respected damsel by the name of Sujata encountered Gautama meditating under a tree. She noticed that the ascetic apparently was almost reduced to bare bones as a result of not consuming any food. Though his thirst was for the ultimate truth, Gautama accepted the bowl of rice pudding offered by the lady. It is said that since then Gautama gave up extreme austerities after realizing that was not the right path. Thus he paved the way to what is known today as the Middle Path.
This painting shows an ascetic Buddha seated under a Mudilla tree (Barrintonia Racemosa) sheltered by Mucalinda the King Cobra who is said to have protected him from rain while Sujata offers a bowl of rice. It also shows the Auras that emanated from the Noble One as he attained Enlightenment of Buddhahood. These five colors viz, Blue, Yellow, Red, White and Orange make up the colors of the Buddhist flag.

Goddess of Prosperity

‘GODDESS OF PROSPERITY’ is an expressionist style painting (48 x 36 inches) in oils on canvas depicting the mythical Hindu legend about the Devas churning the cosmic ocean for the nectar of immortality.
According ancient thoughts Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared from the celestial seas riding on a red lotus surrounded by eight elephants, following a magnificent moon-rise.
Hindu faithful venerate Mahalakshmi as the goddess of prosperity and good fortune.
She is the consort of Lord Vishnu the Preserver in the Hindu Trinity. In alternate Avatar the two are forever bonded in romance, notably as Rama and Sita in their human form.
Being an epitome of love and beauty, Mahalakshmi is regarded as a divine patroness of peace, hope and happiness.
While the lotus is symbolic of spiritual awakening; the elephants signify the power of love that nourishes the world.

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 3,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 5 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

Visitors at the art show in Philadelphia