Ganesha is rightly named Trilakyamohana. In Sanskrit, 'trilokya' means the three realms of existence and 'mohana' means 'one who enchants'. This boy-deity's celebrated innocence, propensity to grant boons, and childlike beauty enchants the inhabitants of this world as well as the divine. His face is the very picture of invincibility and sublime patience. The trishul on His brow is meant to indicate that He is the son of none other than the cosmic destroyer, Shiva, Himself.
This watercolour would make for a cheerful addition to your space. Seated on a slightly overgrown tree-stump, He would bless your sanctum with His divine gaze. Right afore the thick brushstrokes of the stump, upon the pale pastel green of the grass, is His vahana, the mouse, with an offering of laddoo in its paws. The shadow of the darkening twilight settles upon the luxuriant foliage in the background, while the resplendence of Ganesha's form pours forth from the painting.
The childlike Ganesha is seated under a gold Kirtimukham archway. His chubby child’s legs are gathered in a rudimentary bhadrasana before Him, while His gaze is directed straight ahead. The twin qualities of wisdom and innocence pour forth from His brow. The widely adored son of Shiva-Parvati, Ganesha’s roseate complexion almost blends in with the gold of the embellishments in this Tanjore-style composition.
A makeshift Gajalakshmi mandir (temple) to add to the auspiciousness of your home. Fashioned from wood, it features a basic structure with a bipane door down the front and a stretch of curvaceous vine situated centrally along the upper edge. The doors open outwards to reveal the gorgeous Devi Lakshmi flanked by a pair of pristine gaja (elephants) raising their trunks in homage to Her. This is why it is called the Gajalakshmi iconography.
Executed in the Tanjore medium, the image of the Devi is replete with vibrant jewel tones and pure gold embellishments. Embossed upon the wood, Her face and figure as well as the paraphernalia surrounding Her are sculpted with lifelike detail. Such is the abha (aura) of Her gentle mukhamandala (facial universe or facial region) that merely drawing open the doors of this mandir would uplift the devoted heart.
An archway of solid gold above Her crowned head, punctuated by the indispensable Kirtimukham motif. The engravings on the throne and the goblets flanking the hems of Her saree. The glass beads inlaid in Her crown and Her adornments like rubies and emeralds accentuating Her youth and beauty. Finally, a series of coops along the bottom of the mandir to store the pooja-samagree (ritual utilities).
A painting of the pancamukhi Ganesha is sure to add to the spiritual ethos and the sacredness of your space. The word pancamukhi is a portmanteau of ‘panca’, which means five, and ‘mukhi’, which means faced. The number five may stand for many things in Indian thought, but the pancamukhi roopa (form) of Ganesha is symbolic of the five koshas (aspects of being).
The ashtabhujadhari Lord Ganesha, the one possessed of (‘dhari’) eight (‘ashta’) arms (‘bhuja’), stands on His short, chubby child’s legs. His adorable elephant head is turned sideways, revealing the lateral profile of His face to view. But for the gold predominating this Tanjore painting, it is a bitone composition in pale pink (the complexion of His form) and scarlet (the solid-coloured background).
Within the dark teakwood frame is a perfectly circular panel in the centre. The surface area without the panel is superimposed with pure, solid gold. Zoom in on the same to appreciate the intricate workmanship of the engravings on the soft, thickly laid metal. Winged mythical creatures upon paisley-shaped vassals are to be found on all four corners surrounding the circular panel.
Note the dense proportion of gold on the Lord’s person - from the attire and adornment on His body, to the crown on His head and the sacred implements in His hands. The shringar and the circumference of the panel are particularly inlaid with richly coloured beads of glass, which resemble rubies and emeralds. Such a glamorous Ganesha painting would be a valuable addition in the home or office of the truly devoted.
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