How Prabhupāda Instructs His Disciples to Paint Authorized Pictures of Kṛṣṇa
In the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, art is not meant for mundane sense gratification or imaginative display; it is a profound medium for revealing the Absolute Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda taught his disciples that painting the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His pastimes is a great responsibility that requires strict adherence to the paramparā. By following his specific directions and dedicating their full time and energy to this transcendental service, the artists perfectly illustrate the Vedic scriptures and attain the highest spiritual perfection.
Presenting Facts, Not Mythology
Mundane artists often rely on their own imagination to depict spiritual subjects, resulting in unauthorized and sentimental portrayals. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly forbade this approach. He insisted that his disciples paint exactly what is described in the śāstra and confirmed by the spiritual master. Because Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a definitive science, the artwork must accurately present eternal facts, completely devoid of concoction or mythological interpretation.
- We are presenting facts, not mythology. That should be the spirit of all our artists and philosophy, writing.
- Paintings should be like the Deities, formal and worshipful. This type of painting is sentimental and not authorized. Paintings should be as our artists in New York are doing. Do not introduce any new styles.
- There are many unauthorized pictures painted by so-called imaginative artists, but we don't want such pictures in our temples.
- I shall see later on whether or not that Krishna Balarama can be installed there. You cannot paint the Deity with paint to make bluish. Don't manufacture ideas. What is standard you must follow.
- I am in receipt of the painting you have sent. This is not a good style of painting. It is an artistic style for sense gratification only. I cannot encourage this style - it should be stopped immediately.
The Power of Transcendental Illustrations
The primary purpose of producing these paintings is to attract the conditioned souls to the beauty of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explained that high-quality, authorized illustrations make the movement's books, such as Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the Back to Godhead magazine, completely unrivaled. When people see these vivid depictions of the spiritual world, their dormant spiritual desires are naturally awakened.
- I am always pleased and looking forward to seeing more beautiful pictures in our books. In India we make life members simply from the high quality and appearance of our books with illustrations. Our society is unrivalled in this respect.
- There is necessity of seeing beautiful pictures of Krsna and His devotees and His Pastimes, in order to attract them (people) to the spiritual process. So this is a great service, and there is urgent need for paintings.
- Conjointly make the appearance of Back to Godhead very nicely. The front cover page should be a nicely painted picture.
- My students, they have painted so many pictures, so I have given simply the hints that "This picture should be like this." So they take note and make the picture, and people very much appreciate our picture.
Prioritizing the Artist's Service
Because creating illustrations for the movement's books and temples was of such urgent importance, Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted his artists fully supported. He instructed that temple management must provide them with their bare necessities and peaceful facilities so they could paint full-time. He often explicitly relieved them from standard duties like street saṅkīrtana or management, confirming that their painting was their absolute primary duty.
- As you have suggested, you may make any suitable arrangement and that is approved by me however you make it fit. The only thing is the artists must be always engaged fulltime in their painting work.
- Any householder devotee who is working full-time (with his wife) as a sankirtana book distributer, of temple managerial duties, artist, cook, etc. shall be provided food, shelter, and other bare minimum necessities by the temple itself.
- This painting you are doing is very important, so it will count as your temple work. There is no necessity either for you to go out on Sankirtana if this will take away your time from your real work.
- If you go (to Mayapur), then I shall arrange to give you a very nice room completely for your use and you can peacefully engage in your painting work and read Srimad-Bhagavatam as well as join in with the devotees for regular kirtana, arati, and prasadam.
Directing the Details
To ensure absolute accuracy, Śrīla Prabhupāda personally oversaw the details of the artwork. He provided his disciples with precise instructions regarding the physical attributes of the Lord and His associates. Whether it was the stout figure of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the glowing Kaustubha jewel on the chest of Lord Viṣṇu, or the editorial standard of avoiding overly graphic images in the movement's magazines, he carefully guided their brushes.
- Regarding the Lord Caitanya murti, it is not at all good and I do not approve. Lord Caitanya is stout and strong. There are so many pictures which you can follow. So have the artist start a new murti.
- Regarding the cover for "The Lord in the Heart," yes, Lord Visnu should be distinguished by Srivatsa on His chest. The Kaustava jewel should be painted to look just like a very precious jewel. Lord Visnu should be surrounded by effulgence from His person.
- Regarding the Vedas personified, they should be drawn just like you have seen some pictures of great sages. They are young in appearance like perfect Vaisnavas, and they may be shown with tilak and Vaisnava markings in that way.
- Regarding propaganda against animal slaughter in Back to Godhead. Please do not print any picture showing how a cow is being murdered in our Back to Godhead. This will pollute the whole atmosphere.
Achieving Perfection Through Art
Devotional service is completely absolute; there is no material distinction between higher and lower engagements. Śrīla Prabhupāda assured his artists that by absorbing their minds, hands, and attention in painting the forms and pastimes of Kṛṣṇa under the guidance of the spiritual master, they were executing the highest yoga. Through this transcendental samādhi, the artist easily attains spiritual perfection.
- An artist can attain perfection simply by performing artistic work under the direction of the spiritual master.
- Please always talk about Krishna amongst you two sisters, and enjoy life. This is very good opportunity that you are talking and painting about Krishna, so that your mind, hand, and attention are all absorbed in Krishna samadhi.
- In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, it doesn't matter whether we are working, cooking, painting, writing, chanting, or whatever, they are all the same. There are no such distinctions of higher and lower on the transcendental platform.
- It is your good fortune that you can serve Krishna in so many ways - to work, to write, to speak, to paint, to build - all of these talents must be employed in Krishna's service. That will make you perfect.
Conclusion
The artists of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement were given a profound duty: to provide the world with windows into the spiritual sky. By strictly avoiding mental speculation and faithfully following the descriptions provided by Śrīla Prabhupāda and the paramparā, they produced thousands of transcendental illustrations. Through their dedicated, full-time service, these disciples not only decorated the movement's temples and books but also painted their own path back to Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Our Artists - Their Paintings and Pictures (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.