Tips for Power & Victory

Like has happened to the entire media, my focus too is on the elections drama. There are no real issues this time and even the issues like videshi bahu and dynastic rule have become irrelevant. Sonia Gandhi has given signals that she will settle for Rahul becoming the Prime Minister - I see a private dispute between him and Priyanka that may erupt like volcano - and BJP has got Varun Gandhi and by implication endorsed the dependence on the Gandhi surname and in the process supporting the dynastic rule!

The election fever has resulted in political aspirants rushing for Feng Shui help. Yesterday, I couriered one oil painting and two prints to three candidates of different parties!

Here are some tips for those contesting elections:

Ensure that the door of your office faces your Sheng Chi (Success direction). Success direction for Rahul Gandhi (Born on June 19 th , 1970) is south. More important, Rahul must avoid chueh ming , his total loss direction. He should sit facing south even while discussing the strategies for his publicity campaigns. The lucky colors for him are green, and blue. Seeing that his element is Wood, he will find the going good in politics. If he wants to ensure his hold on the party he must ensure that he sits in the power sector of the party office. I have often seen less important party functionaries sitting in power sector and developing parallel centers of power. In fact, in one case, the secretary enjoyed more powers than his boss!

Place a Dragon in Helpful Friends & Patronage corner of the home/office. Northwest is the direction for placing the dragon. (I am not surprised to see the growing demand for my paintings (and prints) of Greedy Dragon of Ambition available here.

The other painting that can be of use to anyone seeking Fame & Glory is the painting of ancient Phoenix . This is the first Phoenix painted on the first generation silk and was discovered from a tomb near Changsha and the archeological studies trace it to be over 2500 years old. The head belongs to golden pheasant (a long tailed game bird from Greece ), the beak of the parrot, the body of the mandarin duck, wings of the gigantic bird of east called roc, the feathers of the peacock and the legs of the crane.

Exclusive to the King, this Phoenix was considered a sacred and mysterious symbol that always led the emperor to victory. The common Chinese was strictly prohibited from using this pattern and especially on a yellow robe. Yellow, on any fabric, was reserved only for the royals.

There is a story about Emperor Asoka, the great asking for the powerful, mysterious and sacred Phoenix from a contemporary Chinese King before embarking on Kalinga war. The Chinese obliged with a replica of Phoenix . How I got my hands on this and painted is an interesting story that I do not tell. Magicians don't give away the tricks of trade. My Phoenix is very different from the regular Phoenix mass produced and sold in the market.

Legend holds that this grand bird ends its life in flames - then rises from the ashes, fully resurrected to begin life anew. Thus the Phoenix has become a symbol of rebirth. Be it Amitabh Bachchan or PV Narsimha Rao, the painting of ancient Phoenix - if placed in the Fame & Glory corner - can bring one back from oblivion.

I am often asked about my political preferences. I have none. Today, the ideology has taken a backseat. The name of the game is power and money. Everyone wants a bigger share of the pie.