In 1973, the muralist Edward O’Brien became enthralled with Sikhism and the representation of the feminine principal in Sikh Dharma. He realized that Shakti represented Our Lady of Guadalupe. At the center of the Adi Shakti is the two-edged sword—the feminine principle—surrounded by the circle representing God on either side, as well as spiritual and temporal sovereignty, to be in this world but of the spirit at the same time. Our Lady is in the center of the mural as the feminine principle. She stands on the crescent in front two swords representing Sikhism.
From India to Mexico
O’Brien was impressed that this universal principle was the same in both the east and west. In his mural, the same concept from both ends of the world become one. On the right side of the mural is the Golden Temple of the Sikh faith of India. On the left side is the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. The image of Don Diego’s shawl is filtered and projected in the Adi Shakti. On the left is Yogi Bhajan bringing Sikh Dharma to the western hemisphere. On the right is the American Sikh bringing Sikh Dharma to the west. Adi Shakti, after being blessed by Guadalupe, is being reintroduced into eastern culture.
Completion of a Masterpiece
On May 1, 1975, one week after he completed the mural, O’Brien died of a heart attack in the ashram. Yogi Bhajan said of O’Brien and his work, “When beyond the faith, in interfaith, God is seen and recognized, that is where man rises above the clouds and sees sunshine. With this Christ consciousness, Ed O’Brien worked with the Sikh Dharma and predicted and depicted, through the mural, the future events of the world, through which mankind will be grateful.”