"Comus - a Mask" was written by John Milton, based on a traditional play. Much later it was beautifully illustrated by William Blake in two sets of eight watercolours each, reproduced on these pages. Th is is one of several works by William Blake for young people.

According to Sahaja Yoga, William Blake is an incarnation known as Shri Bhairava in the Indian scriptures. The equivalent of Shri Bhairava in the Biblical scriptures corresponds to the Archangel St. Michael.

Seeing this story through Blake’s illustrations and in the light of Sahaja Yoga, the Archangel St. Michael (Shri Bhairava, also William Blake) is one of the main characters. Another key character in the play is Comus, a false guru who uses evil magic tricks and drinking potions to deceive young innocent seekers of truth.

An innocent young lady (a seeker of truth) is lured into the house of Comus where a dangerous party is taking place. Th e party-goers have been consuming evil drinks and some of them have turned into sinister animals. The Archangel St. Michael comes to the aid of the innocent young lady by guiding her brothers in the fight against Comus.