This is a Thanjavur Painting of the trio Lord Ganesha with Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswathi on either side.
TITLE: Vinayagar Lakshmi Saraswathi
SIZE: 30 x 10 inches
STATUS: Available/ for sale
The painting has been made on a handmade Tanjore Board, gemset with semi precious jaipore stones and gilded with authentic 22ct gold leaf. The painting has and option of a pure chettinad teak wood frame. The painting comes with a signed authenticity certificate.
ABOUT THE DEITIES:
Lord Ganesha eliminates initial inertia and removes all obstacles in the path of progress and prosperity. He is the one who is concerned with making the path smooth and the task easy for the one who pays obeisance to him. He gives one access to wealth and learning. Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswathi are always with Him. This Tanjore painting spells easy initiation of tasks and acquisition of opulence and enlightenment.
A STORY FROM MYTHOLOGY:
The trio of Lakshmi Ganesh and Saraswathi is one that holds a lot of significance and had a very deeply rooted mythological story behind the representation.
Everyone loves Lakshmi and everyone respects, prays and wants to have Her in the form of Money, Jewels, Land, etc. And Lakshmi having the Rajasic attribute among the trishakti was very proud of the importance that she gained. She proudly explained her importance to her husband Narayana who found a lot of ego and arrogance in Her self glorification.
To ground His wife, He explained that true richness and pure contentment lies only in the experience of having some to share this richness and happiness with; a child to love and take care of. Else, what is the point of having so much richness if you have nothing to look forward to and no one to spend it for.
Devi Lakshmi kept aside her self glorification and yearned for a child. The childless Lakshmi approached Goddess Parvati and requested Her for one of her sons. Parvati loved her children very dearly but empathized with the plight of Lakshmi and let her adopt Lord Ganesha.
Lakshmi promised to do everything in her capacity to keep Ganesha happy. And to make sure that Goddess Lakshmi who is very chanchal in her behaviour is able to do this to the best of her ability, Goddess Saraswathi and her knowledge was required to accompany both of them.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PAINTING:
Saraswati is the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge while Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity and both are sisters. Lakshmi goes wherever saraswati resides. But, Her arrival ends wisdom and peace. With wealth comes quarrels over money matters and the unpeaceful environment annoys Saraswati who runs away. This is why it is said that prosperity and peace rarely coexist. The only God who can bring both the motherly figures together is their dear son Ganesha – The God who has the wisdom to do so. This is why Ganesha, Lakshmi and Saraswathi are depicted and worshipped together.
RELATED LINKS:
A closer look at the painting:
Photographs of the artwork:
Video clip of work in progress:
A couple of photographs wih my work:
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
“Tanjore Paintings” by Meena Muthaiah the founder of Chettinad Vidyashram.
SHANTHA PRABHU-ARTIST 
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