diff --git a/app/globals.css b/app/globals.css
index ac023ee2..60126086 100644
--- a/app/globals.css
+++ b/app/globals.css
@@ -125,130 +125,137 @@
 }
 
 /* ── Light palette — "Tulasī Garden" ──
-   A fresh, distinctly GREEN palette — noticeably green background
-   (not just a green-tinted white), with deep forest text and primary. */
+   Peacock-green serenity. The lesson from Aged Parchment: keep the
+   SURFACES nearly neutral (paper with only a whisper of celadon) and
+   let the hue live in the primary — a deep peacock teal-green — so
+   long reading sessions stay calm instead of drenched in color. */
 :root:not(.dark)[data-light-palette="tulasi-garden"] {
-    --background: oklch(0.92 0.07 152);
-    --foreground: oklch(0.22 0.09 155);
-    --card: oklch(0.95 0.055 150);
-    --card-foreground: oklch(0.22 0.09 155);
-    --popover: oklch(0.95 0.055 150);
-    --popover-foreground: oklch(0.22 0.09 155);
-    --primary: oklch(0.45 0.19 150);
-    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.97 0.04 150);
-    --secondary: oklch(0.85 0.1 152);
-    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.22 0.09 155);
-    --muted: oklch(0.87 0.09 152);
-    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.42 0.11 150);
-    --accent: oklch(0.87 0.09 152);
-    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.22 0.09 155);
-    --border: oklch(0.76 0.12 150);
-    --input: oklch(0.76 0.12 150);
-    --ring: oklch(0.56 0.17 150);
-    --chart-1: oklch(0.45 0.19 150);
-    --chart-2: oklch(0.42 0.11 150);
-    --chart-3: oklch(0.56 0.17 150);
-    --chart-4: oklch(0.34 0.12 145);
-    --chart-5: oklch(0.22 0.09 155);
-    --sidebar: oklch(0.95 0.055 150);
-    --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.22 0.09 155);
-    --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.45 0.19 150);
-    --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.97 0.04 150);
-    --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.87 0.09 152);
-    --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.22 0.09 155);
-    --sidebar-border: oklch(0.76 0.12 150);
-    --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.56 0.17 150);
+    --background: oklch(0.96 0.012 175);
+    --foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 195);
+    --card: oklch(0.98 0.008 172);
+    --card-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 195);
+    --popover: oklch(0.98 0.008 172);
+    --popover-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 195);
+    --primary: oklch(0.46 0.085 190);
+    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.98 0.012 175);
+    --secondary: oklch(0.92 0.02 172);
+    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 195);
+    --muted: oklch(0.925 0.018 172);
+    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.46 0.05 195);
+    --accent: oklch(0.92 0.02 172);
+    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 195);
+    --border: oklch(0.875 0.025 178);
+    --input: oklch(0.875 0.025 178);
+    --ring: oklch(0.55 0.08 190);
+    --chart-1: oklch(0.46 0.085 190);
+    --chart-2: oklch(0.58 0.09 165);
+    --chart-3: oklch(0.68 0.1 90);
+    --chart-4: oklch(0.4 0.07 220);
+    --chart-5: oklch(0.26 0.045 195);
+    --sidebar: oklch(0.945 0.012 172);
+    --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 195);
+    --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.46 0.085 190);
+    --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.98 0.012 175);
+    --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.9 0.02 172);
+    --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 195);
+    --sidebar-border: oklch(0.865 0.025 178);
+    --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.55 0.08 190);
 
     --quote-card-bg: #ffffff;
 
-    /* Quote-card gradients — Tulasī Garden (forest depths + amber edge). */
-    --quote-gradient-1: linear-gradient(135deg, #102818 0%, #1f4d2f 45%, #b88a3c 100%);
-    --quote-gradient-2: linear-gradient(135deg, #1a2e1f 0%, #2d5a3a 50%, #9a8a4c 100%);
-    --quote-gradient-3: linear-gradient(135deg, #0c2e22 0%, #1d5f3e 60%, #d9c08a 100%);
-    --quote-gradient-4: linear-gradient(135deg, #0a1f15 0%, #1f3d2a 50%, #c8a880 100%);
+    /* Quote-card gradients — Tulasī Garden (peacock depths + temple gold). */
+    --quote-gradient-1: linear-gradient(135deg, #062b26 0%, #0f5347 45%, #c9a227 100%);
+    --quote-gradient-2: linear-gradient(135deg, #07332c 0%, #156355 50%, #93b8a6 100%);
+    --quote-gradient-3: linear-gradient(135deg, #052420 0%, #11574a 60%, #d9c98a 100%);
+    --quote-gradient-4: linear-gradient(135deg, #04201d 0%, #0d4a40 50%, #b87f3c 100%);
 }
 
 /* ── Light palette — "Yamunā Mist" ──
-   A distinctly BLUE palette inspired by the sacred Yamunā river —
-   noticeably blue background (not just a blue-tinted white). */
+   Morning mist over the river — porcelain surfaces with the faintest
+   cool cast (no more wall-to-wall blue), anchored by a deep navy
+   indigo primary. Elegant, quiet, built for long reading. */
 :root:not(.dark)[data-light-palette="yamuna-mist"] {
-    --background: oklch(0.92 0.05 230);
-    --foreground: oklch(0.24 0.09 240);
-    --card: oklch(0.95 0.04 230);
-    --card-foreground: oklch(0.24 0.09 240);
-    --popover: oklch(0.95 0.04 230);
-    --popover-foreground: oklch(0.24 0.09 240);
-    --primary: oklch(0.52 0.2 240);
-    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.97 0.03 230);
-    --secondary: oklch(0.85 0.08 232);
-    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.24 0.09 240);
-    --muted: oklch(0.87 0.07 232);
-    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.44 0.11 235);
-    --accent: oklch(0.87 0.07 232);
-    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.24 0.09 240);
-    --border: oklch(0.76 0.1 232);
-    --input: oklch(0.76 0.1 232);
-    --ring: oklch(0.62 0.15 235);
-    --chart-1: oklch(0.52 0.2 240);
-    --chart-2: oklch(0.44 0.11 235);
-    --chart-3: oklch(0.62 0.15 235);
-    --chart-4: oklch(0.38 0.13 240);
-    --chart-5: oklch(0.24 0.09 240);
-    --sidebar: oklch(0.95 0.04 230);
-    --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.24 0.09 240);
-    --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.52 0.2 240);
-    --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.97 0.03 230);
-    --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.87 0.07 232);
-    --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.24 0.09 240);
-    --sidebar-border: oklch(0.76 0.1 232);
-    --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.62 0.15 235);
+    --background: oklch(0.96 0.008 245);
+    --foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 262);
+    --card: oklch(0.982 0.005 245);
+    --card-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 262);
+    --popover: oklch(0.982 0.005 245);
+    --popover-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 262);
+    --primary: oklch(0.42 0.1 260);
+    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.97 0.008 245);
+    --secondary: oklch(0.925 0.014 245);
+    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 262);
+    --muted: oklch(0.925 0.014 245);
+    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.47 0.04 257);
+    --accent: oklch(0.925 0.014 245);
+    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 262);
+    --border: oklch(0.875 0.02 247);
+    --input: oklch(0.875 0.02 247);
+    --ring: oklch(0.56 0.08 257);
+    --chart-1: oklch(0.42 0.1 260);
+    --chart-2: oklch(0.58 0.08 230);
+    --chart-3: oklch(0.68 0.09 75);
+    --chart-4: oklch(0.38 0.08 285);
+    --chart-5: oklch(0.26 0.045 262);
+    --sidebar: oklch(0.945 0.009 245);
+    --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 262);
+    --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.42 0.1 260);
+    --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.97 0.008 245);
+    --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.905 0.014 245);
+    --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.26 0.045 262);
+    --sidebar-border: oklch(0.865 0.02 247);
+    --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.56 0.08 257);
 
     --quote-card-bg: #ffffff;
 
-    /* Quote-card gradients — Yamunā Mist (river depths + dusk ochre). */
-    --quote-gradient-1: linear-gradient(135deg, #0a1e3c 0%, #1a3d6e 45%, #c89058 100%);
-    --quote-gradient-2: linear-gradient(135deg, #14213d 0%, #2a4d7a 50%, #c8bcb0 100%);
-    --quote-gradient-3: linear-gradient(135deg, #1a2a40 0%, #3a5878 50%, #c4805a 100%);
-    --quote-gradient-4: linear-gradient(135deg, #0e1f3c 0%, #28447a 60%, #d4c4b0 100%);
+    /* Quote-card gradients — Yamunā Mist (river dusk navy + sandbank). */
+    --quote-gradient-1: linear-gradient(135deg, #0a1630 0%, #1d3a66 45%, #c9a05c 100%);
+    --quote-gradient-2: linear-gradient(135deg, #0c1a36 0%, #27486f 50%, #b9c4d6 100%);
+    --quote-gradient-3: linear-gradient(135deg, #081226 0%, #1a3258 60%, #d7c8a8 100%);
+    --quote-gradient-4: linear-gradient(135deg, #0a142c 0%, #223e62 50%, #5d82b0 100%);
 }
 
-/* ── Dark mode — "Ancient Manuscript" ── */
+/* ── Dark mode — "Ancient Manuscript" ──
+   Warm ink and candlelight. Surfaces are a near-black warm charcoal
+   (the old olive cast is gone — chroma stays under 0.012 so nothing
+   reads "muddy brown"), text is soft cream, and the single voice of
+   color is a burnished temple gold. */
 .dark {
-    --background: oklch(0.197 0.013 55.5);
-    --foreground: oklch(0.899 0.03 80.7);
-    --card: oklch(0.246 0.021 86.3);
-    --card-foreground: oklch(0.899 0.03 80.7);
-    --popover: oklch(0.246 0.021 86.3);
-    --popover-foreground: oklch(0.899 0.03 80.7);
-    --primary: oklch(0.753 0.127 84.9);
-    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.251 0.032 69.4);
-    --secondary: oklch(0.288 0.021 82.6);
-    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.899 0.03 80.7);
-    --muted: oklch(0.288 0.021 82.6);
-    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.646 0.047 78.2);
-    --accent: oklch(0.288 0.021 82.6);
-    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.899 0.03 80.7);
+    --background: oklch(0.185 0.009 70);
+    --foreground: oklch(0.9 0.018 85);
+    --card: oklch(0.225 0.011 76);
+    --card-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.018 85);
+    --popover: oklch(0.225 0.011 76);
+    --popover-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.018 85);
+    --primary: oklch(0.78 0.11 85);
+    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.22 0.04 75);
+    --secondary: oklch(0.27 0.012 76);
+    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.018 85);
+    --muted: oklch(0.27 0.012 76);
+    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.66 0.03 80);
+    --accent: oklch(0.27 0.012 76);
+    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.018 85);
     --destructive: oklch(0.704 0.191 22.216);
-    --border: oklch(0.777 0.059 84.4 / 15%);
-    --input: oklch(0.777 0.059 84.4 / 18%);
-    --ring: oklch(0.636 0.08 86.9);
-    --chart-1: oklch(0.753 0.127 84.9);
-    --chart-2: oklch(0.646 0.047 78.2);
-    --chart-3: oklch(0.636 0.08 86.9);
-    --chart-4: oklch(0.45 0.04 75);
-    --chart-5: oklch(0.288 0.021 82.6);
-    --sidebar: oklch(0.246 0.021 86.3);
-    --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.899 0.03 80.7);
-    --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.753 0.127 84.9);
-    --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.899 0.03 80.7);
-    --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.288 0.021 82.6);
-    --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.899 0.03 80.7);
-    --sidebar-border: oklch(0.777 0.059 84.4 / 15%);
-    --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.636 0.08 86.9);
+    --border: oklch(0.85 0.04 85 / 14%);
+    --input: oklch(0.85 0.04 85 / 18%);
+    --ring: oklch(0.62 0.06 85);
+    --chart-1: oklch(0.78 0.11 85);
+    --chart-2: oklch(0.66 0.03 80);
+    --chart-3: oklch(0.62 0.06 85);
+    --chart-4: oklch(0.5 0.07 50);
+    --chart-5: oklch(0.32 0.015 76);
+    --sidebar: oklch(0.215 0.011 76);
+    --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.018 85);
+    --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.78 0.11 85);
+    --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.22 0.04 75);
+    --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.27 0.012 76);
+    --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.018 85);
+    --sidebar-border: oklch(0.85 0.04 85 / 14%);
+    --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.62 0.06 85);
 
     /* Post-card flat bg — darker than --card so it reads as a distinct
        surface even on the homepage where cards stack onto background. */
-    --quote-card-bg: oklch(0.13 0.018 86);
+    --quote-card-bg: oklch(0.13 0.01 76);
 
     /* Quote-card gradients — Ancient Manuscript (midnight leather + saffron). */
     --quote-gradient-1: linear-gradient(135deg, #0a0805 0%, #4a2f0e 45%, #d4a235 100%);
@@ -258,47 +265,48 @@
 }
 
 /* ── Dark palette — "Nīlamaṇi" ──
-   "Blue jewel" — Kṛṣṇa's sapphire complexion. Deep navy with
-   bright sky-blue accents — cool and distinctly BLUE. */
+   "Blue jewel" — midnight navy ink with a peacock-feather teal
+   primary (the sheen of Kṛṣṇa's mukuṭa feather). Surfaces stay deep
+   and restrained; the teal carries all the character. */
 .dark[data-dark-palette="nilamani"] {
-    --background: oklch(0.16 0.05 255);
-    --foreground: oklch(0.92 0.04 220);
-    --card: oklch(0.21 0.06 252);
-    --card-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.04 220);
-    --popover: oklch(0.21 0.06 252);
-    --popover-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.04 220);
-    --primary: oklch(0.72 0.18 235);
-    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.16 0.05 255);
-    --secondary: oklch(0.28 0.06 248);
-    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.04 220);
-    --muted: oklch(0.28 0.06 248);
-    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.7 0.07 230);
-    --accent: oklch(0.28 0.06 248);
-    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.04 220);
-    --border: oklch(0.7 0.12 235 / 22%);
-    --input: oklch(0.7 0.12 235 / 26%);
-    --ring: oklch(0.66 0.14 235);
-    --chart-1: oklch(0.72 0.18 235);
-    --chart-2: oklch(0.7 0.07 230);
-    --chart-3: oklch(0.66 0.14 235);
-    --chart-4: oklch(0.46 0.1 240);
-    --chart-5: oklch(0.28 0.06 248);
-    --sidebar: oklch(0.21 0.06 252);
-    --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.04 220);
-    --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.72 0.18 235);
-    --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.16 0.05 255);
-    --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.28 0.06 248);
-    --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.04 220);
-    --sidebar-border: oklch(0.7 0.12 235 / 22%);
-    --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.66 0.14 235);
+    --background: oklch(0.17 0.028 258);
+    --foreground: oklch(0.91 0.013 220);
+    --card: oklch(0.21 0.032 256);
+    --card-foreground: oklch(0.91 0.013 220);
+    --popover: oklch(0.21 0.032 256);
+    --popover-foreground: oklch(0.91 0.013 220);
+    --primary: oklch(0.75 0.105 195);
+    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.17 0.04 250);
+    --secondary: oklch(0.26 0.034 252);
+    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.91 0.013 220);
+    --muted: oklch(0.26 0.034 252);
+    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.68 0.038 230);
+    --accent: oklch(0.26 0.034 252);
+    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.91 0.013 220);
+    --border: oklch(0.75 0.08 220 / 18%);
+    --input: oklch(0.75 0.08 220 / 22%);
+    --ring: oklch(0.65 0.1 200);
+    --chart-1: oklch(0.75 0.105 195);
+    --chart-2: oklch(0.68 0.038 230);
+    --chart-3: oklch(0.62 0.11 250);
+    --chart-4: oklch(0.72 0.09 85);
+    --chart-5: oklch(0.3 0.035 255);
+    --sidebar: oklch(0.2 0.032 256);
+    --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.91 0.013 220);
+    --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.75 0.105 195);
+    --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.17 0.04 250);
+    --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.26 0.034 252);
+    --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.91 0.013 220);
+    --sidebar-border: oklch(0.75 0.08 220 / 18%);
+    --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.65 0.1 200);
 
-    --quote-card-bg: oklch(0.1 0.05 252);
+    --quote-card-bg: oklch(0.115 0.03 256);
 
-    /* Quote-card gradients — Nīlamaṇi (Kṛṣṇa's sapphire hour). */
-    --quote-gradient-1: linear-gradient(135deg, #050a1c 0%, #14254a 45%, #5a8acc 100%);
-    --quote-gradient-2: linear-gradient(135deg, #0a1228 0%, #1e3458 50%, #b8c8dc 100%);
-    --quote-gradient-3: linear-gradient(135deg, #060c1e 0%, #1a2c4e 60%, #a8b8cc 100%);
-    --quote-gradient-4: linear-gradient(135deg, #080e22 0%, #1c3458 50%, #c8d4e8 100%);
+    /* Quote-card gradients — Nīlamaṇi (peacock night over still water). */
+    --quote-gradient-1: linear-gradient(135deg, #041220 0%, #0b2f42 45%, #2fa08c 100%);
+    --quote-gradient-2: linear-gradient(135deg, #06182b 0%, #10405a 50%, #9fc6c0 100%);
+    --quote-gradient-3: linear-gradient(135deg, #03101c 0%, #0d3a50 60%, #58b0a0 100%);
+    --quote-gradient-4: linear-gradient(135deg, #051426 0%, #123a55 50%, #c8d8d4 100%);
 }
 
 /* ── Dark palette — "Vraja Twilight" ──
diff --git a/components/reading-settings.tsx b/components/reading-settings.tsx
index 41070422..56d33bb9 100644
--- a/components/reading-settings.tsx
+++ b/components/reading-settings.tsx
@@ -54,19 +54,19 @@ const LIGHT_PALETTES: {
     bg: "#f5ecd7",
     primary: "#b88940",
   },
-  // Sage green background + deep emerald — distinctly GREEN
+  // Pale celadon paper + deep peacock teal
   {
     id: "tulasi-garden",
     name: "Tulasī Garden",
-    bg: "#c4dcc1",
-    primary: "#207537",
+    bg: "#eaf5f1",
+    primary: "#006762",
   },
-  // Soft blue background + cerulean — distinctly BLUE
+  // Misty porcelain + navy indigo
   {
     id: "yamuna-mist",
     name: "Yamunā Mist",
-    bg: "#c2d7ec",
-    primary: "#1f6fd6",
+    bg: "#edf2f7",
+    primary: "#2b4c83",
   },
 ];
 
@@ -76,19 +76,19 @@ const DARK_PALETTES: {
   bg: string;
   primary: string;
 }[] = [
-  // Warm brown + saffron — the original
+  // Warm ink + burnished gold — the original, de-muddied
   {
     id: "ancient-manuscript",
     name: "Ancient Manuscript",
-    bg: "#2a2519",
-    primary: "#d0a04e",
+    bg: "#15120e",
+    primary: "#d8b260",
   },
-  // Deep navy + sky-blue — distinctly BLUE
+  // Midnight navy ink + peacock-feather teal
   {
     id: "nilamani",
     name: "Nīlamaṇi",
-    bg: "#101a36",
-    primary: "#4a9fff",
+    bg: "#08101c",
+    primary: "#4cc3c2",
   },
   // Deep wine + rose-red — distinctly RED/WARM
   {
diff --git a/components/social/post-card-shared.tsx b/components/social/post-card-shared.tsx
index 07897a6f..7a3d33ab 100644
--- a/components/social/post-card-shared.tsx
+++ b/components/social/post-card-shared.tsx
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ export function postSourceHref(post: Post): string {
 // gradient set so the cards swap colour with the active theme:
 //
 //   • Aged Parchment      → mahogany binding + temple gold
-//   • Tulasī Garden       → forest depths + amber edge
-//   • Yamunā Mist         → river depths + dusk ochre
+//   • Tulasī Garden       → peacock depths + temple gold
+//   • Yamunā Mist         → river dusk navy + sandbank
 //   • Ancient Manuscript  → midnight leather + saffron
-//   • Nīlamaṇi            → Kṛṣṇa's sapphire hour (deep blues)
+//   • Nīlamaṇi            → peacock night over still water
 //   • Vraja Twilight      → deep wine + rose dusk
 //
 // All variants are dark-leaning so `text-white` reads cleanly. The card