Eyes in Hindu Art

&
Message in a Bottle
18 Oct. 2023 – M. Campbell
 Lesson Layout
1. Introduction to eyes in Hindu art
(slideshow & discussion)

2. Explore critical questions

(Message in a Bottle activity)
 Tell me about it . . .
What kinds of things have
you learned so far?
 Looking . . .

● What kinds of meanings can looking have?

● Looking vs. being looked

at? Is there a difference?
 Hindu Art
● Why make religious art? What’s
the point?

● Art in Hinduism is integral to

worship
 Worship in Hinduism
● Puja = Worship (includes both daily
prayers and large group ceremonies)

● Murti = Divine image

● Murti Puja = Worship of a divine

image
Murti Puja
● Often includes offering flowers,
food, water to the divine figure

● Example: Never Have I Ever

● Why give something to the

deity? What’s the meaning or
importance?
 What Are Practitioners Praying to?

● Generally, a picture, figure,

or statue of the divine being

● Is it just a representation, or
something more?
 The Eyes of the Divine
● When creating a statue or
picture of a Hindu divine
figure, everything but the
eyes will be finished first

● Then, in a sacred ritual, a

holy person will “open” the
eyes by painting them last
 The Eyes of the Divine Continued
● The eyes hold power, so the painter
has to look away while painting the
eyes

● Once the eyes are “opened,” then the

divine figure is the statue or painting.
They see through the statue’s eyes.
 Seeing and Being Seen
● What would it mean for a worshipper
if the divine being is really in the
statue?

● What would it feel like for a divine

being to look at you? Would you be
able to return its gaze (darshan)?
What do you notice about this image?
The Third Eye
● In prayer, a practitioner may want to
close their eyes. What could this
represent?

● The Third Eye: Have you heard of this?

● Third Eye: “Seeing” into deeper reality,

both inside oneself and into the
cosmos
 The Bindi

● The Bindi (a forehead dot)

represents the third eye

● Can signal devotion, marriage,

and/or style
 Thinking Gazes . . .
● Let’s think carefully about the many
meanings of looking

● Important in many religions and

cultures

● E.g., Santa: what’s the deal

● And biblically accurate angels
Message in a Bottle Activity
Three Parts
Choice:
1. Message in a Bottle
1. Creative Responses

2. Drifting at Sea 2. Academic Responses

(You may mix & match)

3. Archeologist/Historian
 1) Message in a Bottle
● You’re stuck on a deserted island of
your choice

● Each island has a task: the task is your

message

● Once finished, send your message to

sea
 2) Drifting at Sea
● You’ve made it onto your raft!

● What’s that? You spot a message in a bottle

written by someone else.

● Open it, read the task, and write a response to

their message.
 3) Archeologist/Historian
● You’re safely back on land, and now working
as an archeologist

● In the archives, you find a bottle with a

message and a response. Write a report or
analysis on the messages. Discuss any key
points, common ground, or critical thoughts
you have about those messages.
 Step Zero

● Grab your message paper and

add your secret codename,
character, or identity to the top.
● You’ll sign each of your messages
with this name or code so that
your messages will be anonymous
 Islands
1. Artist’s Cove – Drawing, Describing, Finding Eyes
2. Storyteller’s Island – Analyze a Story or Write Your Own
3. Scholar’s Paradise – Read and analyze a short section of
a scholarly article
4. Traveller’s Lagoon – Compare Cultural Meanings of
Looking in Daily Life
5. Weaver’s Bight – Compare Representations or Meanings
of Eyes, Gazes, or Looking in Other Religions
 1) Message in a Bottle
● Find an island that you’re interested in

● Read the task. Discuss with your

stranded classmates if you want.

● Write your message. Add your

codename.
● Draw a line and leave it at the island
 2) Drifting at Sea
● Take your raft to a new island

● Read the task. Discuss with your drifting classmates if you want.

● Find a message in a bottle and write a response to their

message. You can write an answer to them, or you can write
about your own take on the task.
● Add your codename and draw a line beneath your message.
● Trade messages with a classmate, then place on random desk.
 3) Archeologist/Historian
● Return safely to your seat.

● Read the two messages. Ask a classmate if you’re unsure

about what the task was.

● Analyze the messages and write a “scholarly” response

of your choice: highlight key points, compare and
contrast the messages, ask critical questions, etc.