Description

Over the years I have done several paintings portraying Jain Religion (mainly practised in India) Philosophies such as Ahinsa, Aparigrah, Parigrah, Anekantwaad, and Shatt Leshya. These Jain paintings have been done in modern contemporary style, different from the traditional that one sees often in Jain temples. In a set of 6 small paintings I have portrayed the concept of Shatt Leshya (?????????). Shatt means six. Leshya means a mental propensity, the inclination or natural tendency to behave in a certain way. The concept of Shatt Leshya classifies living beings (humans as well as non humans) in 6 types and assigns 6 colors (of souls) to them. The lowliest grade (Krishn or Black) is most cruel, most deceitful, most envious. The noblest (Shukl or White) is most humble, most pious, most detached. A very common example is used to explain the concept. For eating fruits, a person of Krishn Leshya cuts off the entire tree, person of Neel (Blue) Leshya cuts off the tree boughs, person of Kapot (Grey) Leshya cuts off branches, person of Peet (Yellow) Leshya breaks off twigs to get clusters of fruits, person of Padm (Pink) Leshya plucks only the fruits that are required for eating, and person of Shukl (White) Leshya picks only the fallen fruits for eating, causing no harm to the tree. This example of obtaining fruits from trees by different degrees of cruelty or piousness is portrayed in this set of 6 small paintings. This particular painting portrays Neel Leshya?s Blue color and somewhat less degree of human evil.? Instead of the trunk, the boughs of the tree have been cut for obtaining fruits.