Sammōhana Mahāśāstā | Canvas Art Print

Sammōhana Mahāśāstā is the great Śāstā who enchants the three worlds — born of Śiva and of Mohinī, the form Viṣṇu took at the churning of the ocean.

This canvas art print by Swaroop is part of the Forms of Śāstā series.

“I meditate constantly on the great Lord Śāsta, Seated amidst a radiant halo, adorned in divine garments, The one with three eyes, holding in his lotus-like hands: A bow of sugarcane, arrows of flowers, a bejeweled pot, And the gesture of granting fearlessness. Mounted on a proud elephant, He is the boon-giver who enchants the three worlds.”

• Eyes: three
• Vāhana: a proud elephant
• In his hands: a sugarcane bow, flower arrows, a jewelled pot and the abhaya gesture
• Complexion: red like a heap of hibiscus flowers

Lord Mahāśāstā was born from Lord Gangadhara (Śiva) who was enamoured by the beauty of Mohini, who could infatuate all people. Mohini's form was assumed by Lord Damodara in order to pacify the dispute of the gods and demons at the time of churning the ocean for producing the Ambrosia (amṛta). Lord Mahāśāstā shines with a golden cup which can fulfil the wishes of the devotees who are experts in the flawless Vedas and Āgamas. His hand shows a gesture which indicates the destruction of the grief of the devotees. The bow in one hand of the Lord has the string of a line of bees. With a fragrant floral arrow, the Lord hits the women folk. They look at the three great gods viz., Hari, Hara and Brahma, other gods, demons and sages.

The body of the Lord is red like a heap of the hibiscus flowers. The Lord is the seed of the great tree called Samsārā

• Medium: cotton canvas, matte finish, 300–350 GSM
• Sizes: 12 × 18″, 24 × 18″, 24 × 20″, 30 × 20″, 36 × 24″, 30 × 40″, 36 × 48″ and 40 × 60″ (canvas size; the blank border adds 4″ to each side measurement, e.g. 12 × 18″ becomes 16 × 22″ outer)
• Border: a blank border on all sides, ready for stretching or framing
• Proportions: the artwork keeps its original proportions — it is never cropped or stretched; any extra space is left blank
• Format: unframed, shipped rolled in a protective tube
• Made to order: printed in 2 working days, dispatched on the 3rd working day
• Artist: Swaroop

The print arrives rolled and unframed. Any local framer can stretch it on a wooden frame (gallery stretch) or mount it under glass; the border gives them room to work. Hang it away from direct sunlight and damp walls, and dust it gently with a soft, dry cloth.