freesiaskye said:
They are lovely big cards though at 3.75 x 5.5 inches. Tauni, what is the cardstock and lamination like please? Are they flimsy or just right? It looks beautiful to me, can you give us more of your impressions of the artwork or perhaps scan in a sample?I can't visualize how they add the text--is it done over the picture or in a separate box below the picture--can you talk about that a bit. Thanks.
The card stock is like that of the better quality tarot decks--thicker and not flimsy, by any means. The finish is matte, and the edges are rounded. And, no NUBS!
So, imagine you have just gotten your eager, cartophile hands on this deck:
The box is quite ornate, of course. The back of the package promises beautifully designed cards (see freesiaskye's post--very simillar statement on the box). Upon removing the outer cellophane and opening the box, you see that the inside of the box is also decorated. There is a pamphlet on top of a stack of quality cards bound in a cellophane band. The pamphlet is a small folded page briefly explaining the Bhagavad Gita. It ends with the intention of the publishers to encourage further reading of the Bhagavad Gita. There is no LWB, but you will soon understand that this deck speaks for itself.
What you see as you sift through the cards is one beautiful image after another. Terms like "vibrant" and "jewel-like" come to mind. Each of the pictures fills all of one side of a card, with a narrow white border, and larger space of white at the bottom for the card title printed in black. Also at the top of each very colorful illustration is a band of sky blue.
On the other side of each card is the text, though it is still quite ornately presented. This side has a narrow border with the colors and patterns most predominant on the reverse side. The top of the card again shows the card title, this time in a band of gold with white lettering. The text is centered inside a white area, bordered by a decorative background frame of Sanskrit writing. The top of the text is the chapter and verse from the Bhagavad Gita. The next line is the actual text in original Sanskrit. The next line presents that same text transliterated to our alphabet. The last section of the card offers the verse translated in English. At the bottom of the frame is a small circular image from the larger illustration on the "front." After you read the text, it is difficult to say which is "front" and which is "back." As stunning as the illustrations are, the text is equally as vital to fully appreciating this deck.
I am only just beginning to understand the Bhagavad Gita. In that regard, this deck is accomplishing exactly what the publishers have hoped; I have been greatly inspired to read the classic work, and learn more about it. It has been comforting in a way I did not initially expect, such as with understanding and coping, as zorya stated. Thus far, it is a beautiful relationship.
Peace,
Tauni
[Edit: Thank you, freesiaskye---> The book indeed looks like the perfect companion to this deck.
]
