Folio from a Tantric manuscript on Ekadashi, the 11th tithi of shukla paksha - Jaipur c1800


Medium: Opaque water-colour with gold on wasli
Aspects of time in this Tantric system include the 15 tithis (lunar days) of shukla paksha (lit. 'the bright phase'). Tithis have an astrological significance and Ekadashi is considered auspicious so is important when it comes to planning occasions such as weddings and diksha ceremonies held for inordination into a sampradeya (religious order). According to the text and as is shown in the painting, the swami (lord) of this tithi is Vishwedeva with a vahana (mount) of a mriga(deer/antelope/black-buck).

Source: indianminiaturepaintings.co.uk