This is new art and spirituality book created over a span of 40 years. The book includes over 400 pages of lush, never published artwork and detailed explanations behind the main Hindu Patheon of Gods and Goddesses!

Imagine walking into an ancient Hindu Temple and looking at the architecture, sculptures, and seeing the iconographic images of the Gods and Goddesses. What does it all mean? What are they trying to express?

Through a collection of original artwork by Pavan Bhatia, created over a span of 40 years, “Visions of the Divine”, seeks to help you understand the iconography of the Gods and Goddesses at a deeper level and what they represent, and much more.

“Visions of the Divine”, explores what Hindu Mythology actually shows by diving into the symbolism and circumstances behind different myths. “Visions of the Divine”, is an art book and a work of fiction. The Hindu Mythological figures, spiritual and spatial realms, are either the product of the artists/author’s imagination and interpretation, or are referenced from oral histories, travel experiences, observations, or sourced from various books on science, spirituality, Hinduism, including the Bhagwat Gita, Upanishads, the Puranas, and more.

A Creation Mythology

Before this time began, there was no heaven, no earth, and no space between. A vast dark primordial ocean washed upon the shores of nothingness.

A giant cobra floated on the waters. Asleep within its endless coils lay Lord Vishnu. Everything was so peaceful and silent that Lord Vishnu slept undisturbed by dreams or motion. From the depths a humming sound began to tremble, Aum. It grew and spread, filling the emptiness, and throbbing with energy.

Aum, or Om. The night had ended, Vishnu awoke. As the dawn began to break, from Vishnu’s navel grew a magnificent lotus flower. In the middle of the lotus emerged Brahma. He awaited the Lord’s command. Vishnu spoke to Brahma: ‘It is time to begin.’

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Cosmic Ocean

Amrita

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Samudra Manthan

Lord Vishnu resides in the milky waters of Vaikunth on a bed made of the coils of the thousand hooded great serpent, Adishesha of infinite dimensions.

Symbolically the ocean stands for bliss and consciousness, the serpent for time, diversity, desire and illusion.

The tale begins with a conflict between the gods (devas) and the demons (asuras). Both factions desired immortality, and the Amrita was believed to grant them eternal life. Seeking an advantage, the devas approached Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, for guidance.

The Cosmic Functions: Trimurti

The Trimurti are the most prominent masculine deities of contemporary Hinduism. This consists of Brahma - the Creator, Vishnu - the Preserver, and Shiva - the Destroyer. Their feminine counterparts are Saraswati - the wife of Brahma, Lakshmi - the wife of Vishnu, and Parvati (or Durga) - the wife of Shiva.

Brahma is like an architect. He starts everything by making the universe. Brahma is the god of creation, and the first of the Trimurti. His consort, as well as his shakti (divine energy), is Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. He is identified with the Vedic creator god, Prajapati. His abode is in Satya Loka. The deity is said to have been born out of a lotus that grew out of the navel of Vishnu. He was given the four Vedas by Vishnu and instructed to commence the act of creation.

The Cosmic Functions: Trivedi

Trivedi are the primary goddesses in contemporary Hinduism.

Goddess Saraswati (In White)

Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of learning, and the patroness of music, art, and speech. The Goddess is also regarded to be the power that resides within all poetry and writing.

Goddess Lakshmi (In Orange)

Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of prosperity, associated with material and non-material wealth, fortune, and beauty.

Goddess Parvati (In Red)

Goddess Parvati is the Goddess of power, and is also associated with courage, fertility, and beauty.

Goddess Durga & Lord Brahma, Vishnu, & Shiva

Trimurti- Lord Brahma, Vishu, & Shiva

Lord Vishnu & Goddess Lakshmi at the dawn of creation

Goddess Durga & Lord Brahma, Vishnu, & Shiva

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Mother Goddess

Shakti

Divine Energy

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Divine Feminine

Goddess Shakti

"By you this universe is borne, by you this world is created, O Devi, by you it is protected."

The earliest term applied to the divine feminine, which still retains in its popular usage, is Shakti. The word 'Shakti' is derived from the root 'shak,' meaning potency or the potential to produce, an assertion of Her inherent creative aptitude. The word Shakti is used in a variety of ways ranging from its use to illustrate the ultimate primordial creative power, to expressing the capacity or power of words to convey meaning.

Goddess Shakti represents the fundamental creative instinct underlying the cosmos, and Shakti is the energizing force of all divinity, of every being and everything. The whole universe is a manifestation of Shakti. As the World Mother who, as Shakti, is the energy giving power behind all creation. Shakti is shown in many forms. As Goddess Parvati, she is the gentle consort of Shiva. In the form of Goddess Durga, she is a warrior, and she rides a tiger. In her angry destructive form she is Goddess Kali.

About Pavan

Starting my artistic journey early in life, the desire to create art soon became an unyielding obligation to myself to explore the inner mechanism of my creative consciousness. From small sketches to large scale projects, my art is a highly-personal reflection of myself.

I’ve been lucky enough to have participated in many collaborative projects, as well as exhibiting in a solo capacity with my own design and planning business.

Pavan.bhatia01@gmail.com

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The Rashi Collection

Original Art by

Pavan

According to Hindu Astrology Rashi refers to the constellation in which the Moon is positioned at the time of birth.

This collection of original art was composed and stylized over a 16 year period from 2004 -2020. The images of these women were inspired by the women in my family who are beautiful both inside and out. The images were curated to align with the characteristics of each astrological sign or Rashi.

This collection is dedicated to the Kamboj Sisters with Love!

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