Purana text were written in Bharat in very ancient times. It is like guidebook for living life and achieving success in life. Vishnudharomottara Purana is one of the purana which mentions sutras or principles for performing art. Following information is from Vishnudharottara purana which also mentions the very nature of art itself.
The meaning and purpose of the art – Why it gives happiness
In chapter first of Vishnudharomottara purana, following story is mentioned. After Worshipping to god Narayana and goddess Sarasvati, King Vajra asked Sage Markandeya, By what means, a person can get happiness in this world and other words. In order to be happy in life, what a man should do?
This is a very important question as every person in this world, works hard to be happy. In modern days too, everybody wants to be happy. So King Vajra asked the question, which is relevant even today. Lets see the answer.
Markandeya answered, The wise man in search of happiness in both worlds, should worship Devata and must perform rituals and do fasting as mentioned in Veda.
If one wants to go to heavens by doing vedic rituals as well as charitable deeds, then one should build temples. In Krita yug, Treta yug and dwapar yug, People used to see gods face to face. But in Kali yuga it is not possible, hence people should build temples in order to meet and worship gods.
Well cultured man worships the god as mentioned in Chitra sutra or rules of painting. The learned men who worships a deity having proper form gets all his desired things. The man who worships the image without proper characteristics increases his misery, therefore it should be avoided.
The man who worships the form with proper characteristics gets all his desires fulfilled. In that way he is always happy in this world.
So here Sage Markandeya told King Vajra, that in order to be happy in life, Worship of god must be done. To do that, the form or image must be made with proper characteristics. Only then, a man will get desired things, otherwise A man will increase his misery.
Here Chitra Sutra comes in the picture. Chitra sutra or rules of painting play crucial role in creating image of the god. An artist or image maker must learn chitra sutra as mentioned in Vishnudharomottara purana, so that image of the god will be made with right characteristics. Sage Markandeya further explained that, When a man worships idol of god which is having proper characteristics, only then he gets what he desires, Otherwise it will bring misery to him. So here an artist used to learn rules of painting as mentioned in Vishnudharmottara Purana and then used to make images of the god. People in the society used to worship those idols and in that way, peace and happiness were established in the society.
Sage Markandeya said to King Vajra that , In this world, gods give people religion ( Dharma), financial success ( Artha), Enjoyment of senses ( Kama) and Liberation ( Moksha). They fulfil all the desires and give permanent heaven. Therefore, people should try their best to worship gods. The men who worship gods always get desired worlds very easily. Similarly in this world, people get riches and become prosperous.
Above information throws light upon the fundamental question – What is the purpose of building temple with beautiful sculptures and design? It is to please and worship god. So in other words, Art form was developed to worship gods.
Interdependence of art forms
Today, There are various types of art form. They are mainly music, dance, drama and painting. In Vishnudharmottara Purana, it is mentioned that they are actually dependent on each other.
In Chapter second, Sage Markandeya said , O King, He who does not know the Citra sutram ( rules of painting) very well, can never understand the characteristics of the image of the god.
King Vajra asked him to tell Chitra Sutra ( Rules of painting ).
Sage Markandeya said , “ It is difficult to understand the rules of painting , without knowing the rules of dance.”
King Vajra asked him to tell rules of Dance.
Sage Markandeya said , “ It is difficult to understand the rules of dance, without learning instrumental Music.It is because, if there is no instrumental music, there is no dance.”
King Vajra asked him to teach instrumental music.
Sage Markandeya said , “ Without vocal music, it is difficult to know instrumental music.” On the other hand, One who knows the science of Vocal music, knows everything according to the rules.”
Then Sage Markandeya explains one by one each art form in the chapters of Vishnudharmottara purana. After explaining rules for music,dance,drama, Markandeya explains rules of painting. It is also mentioned in Vishnudharmottara Purana, that rules of paintings are same for making sculptures.
Is Vishnudharmottara purana relevant today?
Those art students who wants to know how great Ajanta paintings must read Vishnudharmottara Purana. Those researchers who want to know how great sculptures at ancient temples were made must read Vishnudharmottara Purana. Those doctors who wants to know precise proportions of human body must read Vishnudharmottara Purana. Those artists who wants to learn fundamentals of all four indian art forms ( Dance, drama, music and painting) must read Vishnudharmottara Purana.
Conclusion
Today, We rarely find one book which speaks about all the art forms. Purana texts in general gives guidance for living live successfully. Vishnudharmottara Purana is not just manual about art, It gives guidance regarding worship of god and thereby brings happiness to one’s life. Here once learns , Art is just a way to please and worship the god. By doing that, artist can bring happiness to himself and others.
