On the Role of Art, and the Sacred Task of the Artist.

A work of art is priceless, and not because of its market value, but because of what it transcends.

Art usually captures what is fleeting and renders it eternal.

It preserves what is perishable and makes it perennial.

In many ways, a true work of art is more beautiful than the real thing, for it does what the real often cannot, it immortalizes reality.

Imagine a place stricken by drought. There are no flowers blooming, no leaves rustling in the wind, no vibrant colors adorning the land. All that remains is dust, silence, and longing.

Now imagine, in the midst of this lifelessness, a painting of a lush garden.

A melody echoing with the laughter of rivers.

A poem describing the delicate grace of a lotus in full bloom.

Suddenly, though nature is absent, the human spirit remembers beauty.

As a consequence…

• Hope is stirred.
• The soul lifts.
• The heart softens.
• This is the power of the artist.

Besides, in times of turmoil, conflict, or sorrow, when the outer world offers no comfort, art becomes refuge.

Not as escapism, but as a sacred reminder of what still lies possible, which is…

• Beauty.
• Order
• Meaning.

In other words, art does not deny pain. It transfigures it.

It does not erase reality. It redeems it.

Therefore, every artist is a torchbearer, holding light in a world that sometimes forgets its own radiance.

And so, all genuine artistic talents must be encouraged, supported, and honored.

Not just with applause, but with concrete commitment, with working spaces, with abundant patronage, and with sincere recognition.

Yes, we can cultivate nature.

We can design breathtaking gardens

Engineer fantastic waterfalls

And shape amazing landscapes to please the eye.

But we cannot manufacture artists.

We cannot command inspiration.

We cannot fabricate genius.

An artist is a gift to mankind.

An artist is a rare convergence of vision, skill, and inner fire.

And so, while we must make the best of all the gifts we receive from the world, we must not forget to nurture the gifted ones who live among us.

Because it is they who remind us that…

• Even in barrenness, there is beauty.
• Even in the dreadful, there hope.
• Even in silence, there is song.
• Even in endings, there is eternity.

Morning Meditation

Acharya Tadany

Pune, 6 June 2025.

Photo by Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa on Unsplash