Padmapani

  This is a photograph of a wall painting from the caves of Ajanta, India featuring  Avalokiteshvar, or simply called in short "ISHVAR". These caves are 1500 years old and this painting is perhaps the very first visual image of Avalokiteshvar.

   Avalokiteshvar, a Sanskrit word, translates as " The Lord Who Looks Down". That is, he governs or looks after the World or the Universe. He is the personification of the Primal Being (Brahman) or the Universal Being or the Limitless Eternal or the Ultimate Cause of the Universe. THAT ONE, WHO IS WITHOUT A SECOND, the Limitless Eternal that is, has no names and/or forms (namrupa) as well as that One is not available to bodily senses or mind. It is as it is, meaning that it has no attributes and it is not possible to say that it is "this" or it is "that", as well as it is love or it is compassion. It can only be described by "No, no" (that is by protesting against every attribute). That One, from which proceed the origin, subsistence and dissolution of the world, which world is differentiated by names and forms, contains many agents and enjoyers, and is the abode of fruits or effects, caused by former actions, these fruits having their definite places, times and causes, and the nature of whose arrangement can not be conceived by the mind-that cause is Brahman or the Primal Being. It is that One through whose grace deeds are followed by rewards and souls finally obtain salvation or liberation.

    Avalokiteshvar is shown here with the symbolism of the Sun. The Sun is considered the holder of lotus since the sunrays bring about blossoming of lotus. Avalokiteshvar, also known as Padmapani which translates as the "Holder of Lotus or One with Lotus in his hand". The concept of the Limitless Eternal or Lord (personified here) looking down or governing his creation goes back to the Rig-Veda in the famous creation hymn called Nasadiya.