- 12
At the end of this chapter he gives a full description of two animals, namely, the horse and the elephant but does not mention the bull which is found in the Silparatna of Srikumära. The deities already mentioned seem to be the favourite gods of the time. Their forms without exception are pleasant; loathsome or dreadfull pictures which are likely to cause depression of spirits are not allowed to be drawn in palaces, as everything pleasant and attractive must be before the eye of a king to keep him cheerful. In this connection it may be remembered that the Uttararamacarita of Bhavabhūti clearly shows the tragic effect the unpleasant pictures produced on the minds of Rama and Sitã. On this point further information may also be obtained from the Yogagṛhacitra as cited in the Hathayogapradipika. The sight of Śmaśana and Naraka, for instance, makes a man think of the transitoriness of the world. He is likely to develop a strong sense of Vairagya or non-attachment which is dangerous for a person who has to guide the destinies of a kingdom. In short, the pictures must be fitting to the gay atmosphere of the palace. It, therefore, stands to reason that everything in the palace must be such as will keep the king always cheerful. There is a passage, in the Mänasolläsa to show that the main purpose of the pictures should be to remove the anguish from the heart.
- VARIETIES OF PICTURES.
The author then proceeds to classify the different kinds of pictures and explain the various technical terms. The exact copy of an object as we find in a reflection is named by him as Viddha while mere resemblance is called Aviddha. The picture that expresses the Rasas like Śrngära is called a Bhavacitra while the one with bright colours is named as Dbülicitra. It is worthy of note that here King Someśvara proudly describes himself as चित्रविद्याविरचिन् (विं. ३-९०५) -- the creator or master of the art of drawing and painting.
1. It is noteworthy that the Silparatna part 2 in the Trivandrum Series gives the bull, horse and elephant for examples but one of them i. e, the ball is omitted in the Manasolläsa.
- 2. मध्ये योगगृहस्पाथ लिखेत्संसारमण्डलम् |
- उमशानं च लिखेड्घोरं नरकांश्य लिखेत्कचित् ॥
- तान्दष्ट्रा भीषणाकारान् संसारे सारवजिते ।
- अनवसादो भवति योगी सिध्यभिलाबुकः ॥
- पश्यंश्व व्याधितान जन्तून्नतान्मत्तांव्वलद्रणात् ॥
- (Hathayogapradipikā. 1-18. comm.)
3. निर्मितं चित्ररत्नेदं चित्ततोदनहारकम् । विं. ३-९०५.