Week 11: Reading Notes - Pattanaik's Calendar Art: Part C

(Image Information: Shaivism

Anantashakti Source: Wikipedia)

~~~

This video really detailed a lot about the history of Hinduism, and what many of the Gods represent. It was very interesting in the first video to read about how gender plays a huge role in signifying the characteristics of a God and what that means for a certain God or Goddess.

The line that stood out to me the most was "The Gods are all within us, and the Goddesses are all around us". Recently, in my Introduction to Hinduism class, I have learned the significance of the word "Namaste". This word is said while putting your palms together, and bowing down at the person in front of you. Essentially, this means "I pray to the God within you". We all have God within us, as the soul is pure, but it is the mind that that can corrupt. 

It was also interesting to know more about Shiva, and his role as the Destroyer. I think I have mentioned this before, but a Pandit recently told me the meaning of God. G stands for Generator (Brahma), O stands for Operator (Vishnu), and D stands for Destroyer (Shiva). These three forms of God are very important to the religion, and even stating back to the history of Hinduism, 

Shiva is symbolized with ash, and Shiva can also be recognized with the three lines of ash going across his forehead. Using this type of symbolism, an interesting story could also be made using the fact that ash represents Shiva, the Destroyer. 

It was also very interesting to read the differences between Shiva and Kali, and how they are similar. This would also serve as a create story, because this video gives a lot of detail and insight about both of them.

Bibliography: Pattanaik's Calendar Art Part C Reading Guide