
ALT A FOLIO FROM THE MEWAR SAKUNAVALI (BOOK OF OMENS) MEWAR, CIRCA 1720 Opaque watercolor on paper; Image: 7 1/2 x 6 3/4 in. (19 x 17.1 cm); Folio: 10 x 8 1/4 in. (25.4 x 21 cm) Footnotes A handbook for interpreting dreams, the Sakunavali was a unique commission from the Mewar court. It promised to unveil the mysteries of seemingly inexplicable phenomena. Described in the text above, this omen of a tree full of parrots (in front of a night sky and behind a lotus pool) is one of the most auspicious one could receive: For good fortune and financial gains, a progeny is also promised for constant prosperity and foreign travel, pay homage in the direction of the parrots (34).

ALT Mysticism keeps men sane. As long as you have mystery you have health; when you destroy mystery you create morbidity. The ordinary man has always been sane because the ordinary man has always been a mystic. He has permitted the twilight. He has always had one foot in earth and the other in fairyland. He has always left himself free to doubt his gods; but (unlike the agnostic of to-day) free also to believe in them. He has always cared more for truth than for consistency. If he saw two truths that seemed to contradict each other, he would take the two truths and contradiction along with them. His spiritual sight is stereoscopic, like his physical sight: he sees two different pictures at once and yet sees all the better for that. Thus, he has always believed that there was such a thing as fate, but such a thing as free will also.

ALT AS Katoch, Dream Winged Gaja-simha. 14:44, 22 March 2025. Himachal Pradesh, India. Dream Image: The Winged Elephant-Lion (Gaja-simha) A white elephant-lion with golden wings appeared before me. It is called a gaja-simha in Indian culture. It looked at me from its side. Then, the hybrid creature turned its elephant head toward me, looking directly into my eyes with deliberate intention. Its body was that of a lion covered in white hair, while elegant golden wings emerged from its hindquarters. A blue sky stretched behind it. It was walking on green grass. The dream then focused on a close-up of the gaja-simha's face and eyes as if it wanted me to know it recognises me.

ALT The Birth Of Lakshmi, A Symbolic Pot Of Wealth In Her Hand Lakshmi, the Vedic deity of prosperity, is the divine consort of Lord Vishnu, preserver of the universe. In this exquisite watercolour painting by Kailash Raj, She emerges from tempestuous ocean waters during the Samudramanthan. Adorned in resplendent silks, rubies, emeralds, and cascades of fine pearls, She radiates celestial calm. Her lower left hand holds a richly decorated pot of divine wealth, while Her right offers the ashirvaad (blessing) mudra. In Her upper hands, She cradles rubescent lotuses. Her four arms symbolise the four core goals of human existence: dharma (ethics), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation). Skilful blue brushstrokes capture the prevailing oceanic turmoil below, contrasting with the serene, three-tiered halo framing Her crown: a gold glow of knowledge, the pink ring of beauty, and pure white for ethical purity. A magnificent portrayal of grace, devotion and celestial abundance.





























