Extra Reading Notes: Devdutt Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art, Part D (Shiva, Devi)

Shiva
  • After not seeing this series in a week, Shiva looks like a tragic character, though I know he is not meant to be one. Nonetheless, this story about how his first wife, Sati, was killed at a sacrifice he was not invited to is beyond depressing. I think it is understandable that he would choose to avoid letting his heart be torn apart like that again. Rejection is painful on its own, but utter loss is world-shattering.
  • As out there as Shiva is, there are some endearing parts of his character and stories. Sati being reborn as Parvati and seeking him out as her husband again is a sweet story, even if Shiva only accepted out of grace. It is an example of where love transcends lifetimes kind of. Shiva's lack of knowledge of and possible refusal to conform to groom standards is a bit humorous.
  • I heard a version of Shiva drinking the poison to where doing so was actually killing him. To save him, Parvati squeezed his neck to keep it from doing any more harm. But why did he drink it again? Could no one tell if it was poison or elixir? Or would just tossing it away lead to poisoning the world? I think it was something like the latter, right?
  • I too dance in response to being threatened...
 Devi
  • I think it is strange that the goddess can be such a representation of power and protection, yet cultures will still look upon the feminine as weakness.
  • "Betel leaf is chewed after a meal to aid digestion and act as an aphrodisiac." That is interesting. Where have I heard this before?
  • Kama shoots flower arrows? That is actually a beautiful and cute image.
  • Yama's book contains all of our actions which result in death or equity. That must be one big book. What is in my section of the book? Which does writing notes for this blog post result in?
  • Oh, man, I know all about Durga! This video also describe the demon she defeats, who I know of as Mahishasura, as being "greedy for attention and glory". Intentionally or not, I feel I may have captured that aspect of him in my project, looking back at it. It certainly did not turn him into a guardian.
 
Durga and other Goddesses
Web Source: Wikimedia Commons


Bibliography. "Seven Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art" by Devdutt Pattanaik, link to Part D.

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