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v2b-pma.jpg)
Indian and Himalayan Art Human Destiny--the Six Colors of the Soul (Leshyas) or Rajasthan, India, Asia Dated 1663-64 Artist/maker unknown, India Opaque watercolor and ink on paper Currently not on view 1935-34-11(47,a) Purchased with the Francis T. S. Darley Fund, 1935 |
LabelThe six leshyas are the colors, or tints, cast like shadows upon individual souls by good and bad deeds (karma). The idea is given visible form in this image by the depiction of six men gathering fruit from a tree. The left side is the side of evil, or of the three somber colors, with the man on the ground steeped in darkest hate, cutting down the whole tree to get the fruit. The right side, showing good, has bright colors, with the lowermost figure only picking the fruit that has fallen to the ground-- it is he who exhibits the Jain ideal of "purity, compassion, and a life involving no loss or pain to others." |
