Her Inspiration

The elaborate details of the beautiful paintings created by Syamarani dasi do not come from the artist’s imagination. Rather, all the details come from descriptions found in the Sanskrit texts of the ancient Vedas. These details are also found in the hearts of pure devotees who have realized thos e texts. Though appearing before us as teachers or gurus, they are simultaneously living in that sacred reality beyond matter. Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja (above), one such self-realized soul, guided the artist, Syamarani dasi, at every step of the painting's development. With his detailed instructions and divine guidance, Syamarani dasi served in the capacity of his “paintbrush”–––applying color, line, and exquisite details. Sometimes Srila Narayana Maharaja posed for the personalities in the paintings to allow Syamarani dasi to capture the gestures, external features, and moods of the personalities being painted. Srila Narayana Maharaja would also describe the thoughts and feelings of the personalities to increase the depth of the message and atmosphere created by the painting. Because the execution of the painting was done under the direction of an elevated saint, the viewer makes spiritual advancement simply by seeing it–––what to speak of keeping it at home.