~ madhubani painting: peacocks and fish ~
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The stylized peacocks in this painting appear to be fighting over a fish. But mirrored or opposing animals are a frequent theme in this tradition, and the peacock can be a symbol of eternity. These paired birds may recall to mind a passage from the Upanishads that refers to two birds, sitting on a single branch. One of them eats a delicious fig; the other simply watches. That passage is taken to be an affirmation of the complementary nature of action and consciousness (or contemplation) -- "He whose own heart is pure makes no judgment: there is no good or bad in what is done without desire."
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