Volume 7 - Issue 08
August 2009
Other Articles

‘DRAWING’ GOD…

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This happened in the time of Lord Krishna. There once lived an artist who had traveled far and wide and had built for himself an extensive reputation.

But even as he climbed the edifice of fame and renown, achieving success and impressing one and all with his art, he still hadn’t achieved access to Lord Krishna!

As much as he was anxious to seek approbation from Lord Krishna Himself, who not only ruled everyone’s heart but was also the greatest connoisseur of art, success in this endeavour kept eluding him.

But one day, after relentlessly trying to meet Krishna, he got an appointment. The artist met Krishna and requested Him to stay still, so that he could paint His picture. 

On getting Krishna’s consent, the artist first prepared the outline and told Krishna that he would ready the final painting in a week’s time.

You cannot describe God and your attempts will fail. But when you make your mind clear and clean; fill it with love and devotion; the very same love and devotion will enable you to have the true vision of God.

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The all-knowing Krishna also knew about the ego of the painter, but did not say anything then. After a week, the painter brought a finished portrait, covered with a white cloth. 

And when he uncovered the painting in Krishna’s presence the painter himself was shocked at the lack of similarity between the real Krishna and Krishna he had painted!

Completely taken aback by this, the painter asked for another week’s time to get the job done. This went for many such weeks, but each time he failed to capture Krishna in his paintings.

In complete frustration and total dejection, he decided to leave the city and go away.  But the Lord had other plans. When he was going away, Sage Narada met him.

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Well aware of the painter’s plight, Narada confided to him that it was silly to attempt to paint the picture of Lord Krishna, for the Lord has no fixed form and can change His face every second!

Narada then advised, “If you really want to paint Him, I will tell you a method which will enable you to do so.” Saying so, Narada whispered something into the ear of the artist. Following the advice given by Narada, the painter returned yet again to Krishna with a white cloth covering something.

But this time, enriched by the wisdom Narada had imparted, the painter told Krishna that even as He was welcome to change the painting in any manner whatsoever, the painting would look exactly like him.

Saying so, the artist removed the cloth, laying bare the mirror the cloth had till then hidden. The mirror reproduced an exact replica of Krishna.

If therefore, you are imaging that God would be like this or that, it is not correct.  You cannot describe God and your attempts will fail. But when you make your mind clear and clean; fill it with love and devotion; the very same love and devotion will enable you to have the true vision of God.

~ Baba

Illustrations: Mrs. Vidya, Kuwait

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