I am about to write something on this subject, at least in principle. So it's apropos.
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Bifolio from the Gulshan Album (Left Side) India, Mughal dynasty, ca. 1600-1625; Dazzling in its jewel-like colors, palpably present yogis and atmospheric landscapes, this opening from the great Gulshan album of the Mughal emperor Jahangir represents Nath, Ramanandi, and Sannyasi yogis as members of an amiable collective.
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wider social problems of adaptability to changing times.
are these guys headed any where in particular or are they just embodying different facets ?
or with an ultimate goal in mind
yes its inquisitive to wan't to what is it they are all doing and represent
ok
i thought maybe they have common purposes it seems enlightenment is a varied and wide term
:) thanks Jahn
He nonetheless thinks it was a lot of over-indulgent ornamentation that wasted huge amounts of wealth.
The holy men of India, circa Middle Ages, were viewed as powerful and were consulted as oracles. In this history of Bikaner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Bikaner), the following anecdote is cited:
According to legend Bika Lunkaranji consulted a holy man called Jas nathji, who foretold that Bika's line would reign for 450 years. While Bika was pleased with this prediction, his brother Gharsiji when he heard of the prediction thought a longer period of power should have been prophesied. He confronted the holy man while he was in a deep trance and roused him by thrusting burning incense under his nose.[10] Jas nathji told him 'All right take 50 years more or less but of trial and tribulation'.
:)
(Thank-you Qarille.)
Curious to see I'm wearing a warm jacket of some kind - Julie and I often reflect on how cold Rajasthan was,
No, it's only cold in winter, and nothing like where we live here in Aust. We are tired of North India because it's so bloody difficult. And yet it is also fascinating, but it's just too exhausting. The South is a breath of fresh air comparatively, and once we discovered the wealth of culture in Tamil Nadu, which also has the best temples, we realised all our future adventures into Indian culture could be satisfied by the South.
How about the political danger-factor in the North?
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Rajput warrior visiting female devotee with attendant. Mughal dynasty, c.1700, India.
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Devghandar Ragini (?)
Alas, despite Jahangir's son Shah Jahan continuing the mutual-respect tradition initiated by Akbar (literally meaning 'Great' although also connected by root to Kabir - say no more), it was Shah Jahan son, Aurangzeb, whose name still strikes fear in the hearts of Hindus today, that turned the tide towards intolerant, fundamental and aggressive Islam. Only a few days ago, Aurangzeb was spoken of in The Hindu newspaper, as being misunderstood. His actions and legacy are certainly not misunderstood.
In that picture, you see the hope of spiritual ascendancy for the whole of humanity. And yet, one can not overlook a critical fact. Dara, Jahangir's famous first wife, Mumtaz Mahal, eldest son, became too immersed in religious mutuality, while his brother, the third son, was a born warrior and brought up by a fundamentalist Islamic influence. The Mughal Empire reached it's greatest extent under Aurangzeb, which also became it's cause of decline: over-reach.
I see in all this the Will of Life. Those who tread too far to the left side of the tube running into the heart of our energetic being, who seek too much love and tolerance, fall prey to those who tread too far to the right of the tube - of violence and intolerance. Why has Life set it up that continuously throughout human history, the approach to enlightened material governance is always hijacked by ruthless and violent forces who have the advantage of 'physical grasp'. Why can't those who intuitively see all sides, also be capable of decisive and clever action. Obviously, this was achieved with some notable exceptions, like Akbar himself, and earlier Ashoka, but in general it appears the path to love makes us weak.
I see this as a warning to those who pursue the path of understanding and wisdom, that the ability to retain a cunning intellect and the capacity of the 'decisive strike', are essential elements of understanding, wisdom and love. We must walk both sides of the tube as we penetrate into the heart of our being.
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Krishna adorning the hair of a bearded holy man, opaque water colour on paper, Jaipur, early 19th century
See also the attachment or the following link (click and enlarge):
http://media.vam.ac.uk/collections/img/2013/GN/2013GN4097_2500.jpg
You can't really see the hairstyle of the holy man unless you click and enlarge the attachment. True for all of these: there is rich detail to be had in enlarging the attachments.
The reason this painting is so interesting is that the garb of the holy man - the patchwork-stitched robe - is an indicator that he is Sufi, I've come to discover. (You see patchwork - it's a Sufi...) So, how remarkable and lovely that Krishna is befriending and honoring a Sufi.
The enlargement does show some beautiful detail.