Religions of India
Outside the Middle East, few places are more tied to religion than is India. There also are few places with more varied religious differences or where there has been more violence and fighting between various sects. This also makes India a place of pilgrimage for the faithful of several beliefs.

The basis for the diversity of religious beliefs that permeate India is Hinduism. From that faith was born Buddhism. From those two several offshoots were born, including Sikhism and Jainism. Also having its origin in India is Zoroastrianism, a belief that was a precursor to Christianity. Invaders and immigrants also brought Islam and Christianity to the region.

Hinduism
By far, the most widespread faith in India is Hinduism. Estimates place the number of Hindus in the country at more than 80 percent. Hinduism accounts for the strict caste system although various sects hold different beliefs. Still, all worship at the same pilgrimage sites and follow many of the same traditions.

Aside from Hinduism, the second most popular religion is Islam. India is home of the second largest population of Muslims in the world outside of Indonesia. Islam was introduced to India in the 8th century by Arab traders and grew into a powerful force during the 12th century. Unlike the other main religions of the country, Islamic beliefs are distinct and different.

Variants

Several of the other prominent religions of the country are derived from Hinduism, including, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. The best known of these is Buddhism, which grew from the teachings of its founder, Gautam Buddha. Although originating in India, Buddhism grew most in popularity in the Far East, including Southeast Asia, China, and Japan.

Two other variants of Hinduism are Sikhism and Jainism. Sikhism originated in the 16th century in northern India in the state of Punjab. It was espoused by Guru Nanak, who was influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Although accounting for less than 2 percent of the population, Sikhism has a broad influence on Indian political life. Jainism developed about the same time as Buddhism and preaches a philosophy of nonviolence to the point that adherents wear masks to avoid killing insects or even germs while breathing. It boasts some 3 million followers in the country. (Source)

When a Hindu rings my doorbell (or posts here with the contention that his is the only true way) and tries to convert me, I will bash a Hindu.

Seconded.
Come to think of it, I don't see too many Hindus around here...

Riot!

I posted this because it was addressed in another thread, that if other faiths were as represented as the christian one, people would have something else to discuss. So the Hindu pantheon, being quite a lovely conception in the artistic sense, as well as the cosmology that has so many off-shoots, I found to be fascinating and a refreshing change in the climate for discussion here. I figured, as much as those alleging themselves christian, post threads to bash others, the title would get the attention but the body of the post would say something else, entirely.

Hinduism is said to be the worship of personal gods. I think all faith is a personal understanding/visual of the divine, so from that standpoint of the Hindu faith, I thought we might have a discussion on a topic that hasn't yet been attacked.

Can't bring myself to do it.
Most every Hindu I have known has been a decent person, much more laid back about religion than most people I know.
Plus their religious art just kicks the bejesus out of most others.

I find Hinduism to be a simple faith with a complex structure. I find Jainism to be extreme in their pacifism. I have never met a sikh I didn't like, every one seems to have such a love of life, are quick to laugh, and are exceptionally good people.

Of course the Way is the best, but I am a little biased.

Would you explain a little more on The Way, you speak of?

To know it is to practice it. Since you are confortable with yourself it makes the whole thing unimportant doesn't it.

I dunno, I work in a Hindu heavy environment, my own mother's faith is based in Hinduism. I've spent time at an ashram in India. There's a reason(s) I didn't choose to follow in my mother's footsteps. But, at the same time, Hinduism is a far cry from needing bashing.

I don't think you'll be able to get too many people to say much about Hinduism that's negative here. Most people barely know any one who is a Hindu or have had any in-depth conversations and experience with anyone who practices Hinduism. Most people just "know that one guy or gal" they don't know enough hindi's to make a broad spectrum judgement one way or another. I know a ton, but like any religion or ethnic group, I have a hard time making a broad judgement at all. There's good, there's bad, there's some you'd like to bean with a can of tomato soup. **shrug*

why would you want to bash a hindu? or anyone else?

randomhit10

I could be wrong, but I think the title was a bit tongue-in-cheek.
---
Hindu religious art is pretty awesome!

You're soooooooowronnnnnng! I would think by now, given the replies thus far and especially from the author of the thread, that would be obvious. Unless one reads just the title, has no sense of humor and thinks it's flame bait. In which case, I respectfully say, no fishing allowed.


Durga

I would say it must be so, if you see it that way, after mentioning it in a thread wherein it might mean something to someone else.

^Goddess, many thanks for the link under that last picture. I can learn so much about Hinduism from that site, and there are many pretty pictures as well!

The concept of Leela and Maya (and those related; I haven't read a lot yet) I find interesting and perhaps to hold truths for me.

My privilege.

Well their creation myths are a bit weird. At least the bibical god would make some sense to me more then them. There's a handful of their creation stories... One we're made of butter that was curned. Another were a god was in a flower. Another where a god was transforming into creatures and then gave birth to man.

I think the biggest problem with the hindu religion today is the caste system. It's just truely awful how they can treat other human beings like that for simply being born in the wrong caste. Higher castes will run around and throw acid onto lower castes. Beat on them, rape them and then as you go down into the untouchables it's just horrifying that the religion can allow such things.

For the love of Brahma, don't kill that cow! But it's alright to treat your fellow man like dirt.

That's our Kratos! Give him a religion and he'll ferret out the bad about it.

However that is a pertinent observation, I'd say. Reading that it sounds almost like you're saying religious institutions/institutionalized thinking, are dehumanizing.

Edit to add, so as to further your thoughts on Caste systems, Kratos: The Hindu Caste System

that is also how most Deists look at organized religions. Most of the bad of this world has come from organized religions and most of the good has come from the individual persons through acts of kindness that are most often as not unrelated to religion.

Durga has been by far my favorite Hindu goddess. *nods*

Too many arms, and the usual blue skin freaks me out too. There, bashed.

I find the culture to be very confusing, as well as the religions. I suppose Christianity is just as confusing to those not exposed to it. I for one will freely admit before the political crisis in the middle-east, i had no idea what the difference was between Shiites and Sunni's. It's all about exposure and education.

Lord Brahma is the first member of the Brahmanical triad, Vishnu being the second and Shiva, the third. Brahma is the god of creation and he is traditionally accepted as the Creator of the entire universe.



Excerpt: Hindus view cosmic activity of the Supreme Being as comprised of three tasks: creation, preservation, and dissolution and recreation. Hindus associate these three cosmic tasks with the three deities, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Lord Brahma brings forth the creation and represents the creative principle of the Supreme Being. Lord Vishnu maintains the universe and represents the eternal principle of preservation. Lord Shiva represents the principle of dissolution and recreation. These three deities together form the Hindu Trinity.

Hindu religion is often labeled as a religion of 330 million gods. According to the Hindu scriptures, living beings are not apart from God, since He lives in each and every one of them in the form of atman (BG 10.39). The number 330 million was simply used to give a symbolic expression to the fundamental Hindu doctrine that God lives in the hearts of all living beings.

Hinduism is supposed to be 'apauruseya', i.e., of impersonal origin & so also are the Gods of Hinduism. They are eternal & though the deities appear to be different & independent, they are really facets of the same Brahman, the Supreme God. (Continues)

Hey Goddess,
Awesome Topic header.

I have been a silent member of this forum for a while ...but this is only my second post.

I am an Indian and a Hindu(yes its HINDU's and not HINDI's. Hindi is a language). And I could think of no reason why anyone would want to bash hinduism without any provocation....i.e until I read the post and realised u used the title to gain attention.
I believe hinduism is one the more benevolent and open minded religions in history. There were hardly any wars based on the faith and even today India which contains the majority of Hindu population of the world is very secular in outlook.

Yes as Kratos mentioned there are few isolated incidents and there was the caste system which is fast being forgotten(atleast in my generation) but tell me which culture/society/religion has not evolved without some such brutualities recorded in its history.
Please do not take this as an excuse I am using to cover up the brutualities kratos bought up. There is abolutely no need to treat another human being that way and I totally do not support it. But the fault here is in the interpretation of the religion used by the largely uneducated mass of followers who relied on a few educated BRAHMINS to show them the way of life. It is important to understand the life and conditions of the people before we start criticising them or thier religion.

Added to the fact that Hinduism is still alive even after several attempts to kill it by various Islamic rulers and over a century of being ruled by the united kingdom ...just goes to show the strenght of the religion.
YES I AM A HINDU AND MIGHTY PROUD OF IT. Just I am sure every other religious person is with their religion.

and Thank you. I think the art is AWESOME too... very intricate and very detailed.

Has anyone here ever visited a hindu temple?

Thank you for posting in my thread. I have not had the pleasure of visiting a Hindu temple. To my knowledge there are none in my area.
So as to further that aspect of this discussion, may I offer this: The Hindu Temple

So, Bash A Hindu. Is that like Whack A Mole?

honestly, it's a rather intruiging religion. I mean, George Harrison obviously saw something in it. And yeah, beautiful religous artwork.

Don't see too many Hindus in the states, though...

Clearly you've come to the wrong place to whack a mole.

Or maybe not.

(Article)

I believe Brave follows Hinduism and he is one of the most loving people I have ever come across in my life.

Hmmm so the Christian fanatics that everyone always accuses of trying to ram their beliefs down everyone's throats, haven't even stepped a toe into this thread?

And yet on the Christian basing threads (and if you don't know where to look just check out Goddess Whispers regulars posting habits) the haters come out in droves.

So I guess Goddess in starting this thread to prove that you are an equal opportunity hater, you've simply proved that Christians do not bash others anywhere near as much as the non believers will show up with bells on to drag the Christians through the mud.

I read you because you entered my thread. I read you now knowing you enjoy inciting hate, because that is what you are. If you had read this thread at all , besides gloming only onto the subject line, you would realize you are now being read, while you speak, as an ignorant and as a hater. This thread is not bashing anyone. Everyone that has participated thus far, is well aware of that.

So sorry you are. And you shall not find your sustenance here.


~places you back on ignore~ I wish you to have a better life, once you find peace for yourself.

"What, then, is the nature of experience in the Samsara? The latter is the world of form, and Dharma is the Law of Form. Form necessarily implies duality and limitation. Therefore, experience in Samsara is an experience of form by form. It is limited, dualistic experience. It is limited or Apurna (not the whole or complete), relative to the state of Nirvana, which is the whole (Purna) or complete or Perfect Experience. Therefore, whilst the latter is a state of all-knowingness and all-mightiness, man is a contraction (Samkoca), and is a "little-knower" and "little-doer". The Power-holder is called Shiva-shakti -- that is, the supreme Shiva-shakti, for the universe, being but the manifestation of the transcendent Shiva-shakti, is also itself Shiva-shakti. The names Shiva and Shakti are the twin aspects of one and the same Reality. Shiva denotes the masculine, unchanging aspect of Divinity, while Shakti denotes its changing feminine aspect. These two are Hamsah, Ham being Shiva and male, and Sah being Shakti and female. It is this Hamsah, or legendary "Bird," which is said, in the poem called "Wave of Bliss," "to swim in the waters of the mind of the great." The un-manifest Shiva-shakti aspect is unknown, except in the Samadhi or ecstasy of Yoga. But the Shakti aspect, as manifested in the universe, is near to the Shakta worshipper. He can see Her and touch Her, for it is She who appears as the universe, and so it is said: "What care I for the Father, if I but be on the lap of the Mother?" This is the Great Mother, the Magna Mater of the Mediterranean civilization, and the Mahadevi of India (Continues)"

Enjoy this animated cartoon:

You have to animate it in your own mind however!

A Christian bashing a Hindu over the head with a Crucifix!...


....and then a Radical Muslim blowing himself and the other two into smithereens....all the while the Hindu is chanting...
Ommmmm, Ommmmm.

(Gallery)


Tara, Goddess
of Peace and Protection



The goddess Tara is worshipped in many forms, but the best known are the peaceful, compassionate White Tara, the goddess Tara who protects and brings health, long life and peace, and the more dynamic Green Tara, who is the goddess Tara that brings fertility to the earth, overcomes obstacles, and saves us from physical and spiritual danger.
In Buddhist tradition, Tara is much greater than a goddess -- she is a female Buddha, an enlightened one was has attained the highest wisdom, capability and compassion. The goddess Tara is "one who can take human form and remain in oneness with the universe".

Best known in her Chinese and Hindu incarnations, a version of the Goddess Tara exists in virtually every culture. Indeed, it is said that the Goddess Tara will assume as many forms on earth as there are needs for by the people.

The Celts called their "Great Goddess" Tara. Her name is thought to be the root of the word Tor, which is a mound of earth or hillock imbued with spiritual energy or connection to the spirit world. In Native American legends, the Tara goddess is known by the "Star Woman".

Says the woman with the hating signature? Oh no inciting there right? You're all about promoting harmony right?

Sheesh when people are outright hypocrites its laughable when they get "outraged"

Oh how funny how you came out of "ignore" just to reply to that, you stated yourself that you started the thread because you wanted to prove that hate comes in all shades.

In case you forgot what you said darlin'




Only the Christians, who you regularly accuse of hating on others haven't done it because that's not what they do.

You are the one who continually singles out Christian religion to bash on. Take a look at your signature and realize that anyone who had inner harmony and peace would NEVER go out of their way to mock another's beliefs.

The only one who looks ignorant here is you as evidenced by your fantastic number of replies doll.

Now I'm not going to scurry back into hiding behind the ignore button because I'm scared of an online poster.

I don't ignore you I just think your posts speak for what they are. And that's pretty sad.

I have a friend that bought a turn of the century house, and remodeled the bathrooms, using mandala tiles, intermittently, throughout. Designed in Feng Shui, the entire home, including that bathroom, is like entering into a retreat in the middle of eternity. There's no other way to describe it. In a valley, surrounded by the tree's of the Smokey mountains, first thing in the morning and many times at night, the whole place becomes wrapped in a fog bank that makes it feel there is nothing in the world but that gorgeous house and acre upon acre of private land. His outdoors is a myriad collection of wind chimes and mandala altars at the quarters, a fountain bubbles , fed by a lake, in the western part of the lawn. He planted butterfly bushes and all sorts of flowering shrub and tree's, to entice the hummingbirds and bee's to be his gardeners, he said. They work cheap, he said once. I love it.

We try to go there and visit for a week, at least once a year. It's a healing center and a home and one can sense that even as they arrive at the mouth of the driveway, where a giant stone archway greets arrivals, with a mandala sign across the top that simply says: "Welcome Home". In the spirit and thoughts of my friend:



(Source)


Mandalas are ancient Hindu and Buddhist art forms that are said to be graphical symbols of the universe that serve as an aid to the meditational techniques of attaining 'enlightenment'. Thus they are also known as 'Architecture of Enlightenment'. The word 'Mandala' has its origin in Sanskrit, where 'Mand' means decorate or mark off and 'la' means circle, sacred centre or essence. Often symbolized as a palace with four gates that face the four directions (or what was once supposed to be the four corners of the Earth), the concept Mandalas have been said to be originated in thousands of years old Indian temple architecture, where sacred spaces were marked to link the devotee to the cosmos via visualization of universe and meditating on the deity of the temple. A number of circles and squares were used to represent time and space in these temples.



Mandala Alchemy

Oooh, I love the colours! They're so joyous and inspirational... so alive!

I know! Such beautiful intricate detail, and it's all made of sand. So imagine the infinite patience one must have, to sit and contribute their color, to the whole picture. Community! At a table, using sand for a language all it's own. Just looking at it, brings peace.






I'm so glad you liked it. Feel free to add to the beauty. Hinting just a wee bit there.




Source ~~If you have a moment, check out the "Bridging Worlds" link at that site. Now that would be a soothing vacation.

I love this one! I don't have a source I'm afraid... it's just one of the squillion pictures I've got floating around here.

There's a bigger version here.

Beautiful! I've seen that before. Perhaps its Tara? Not sure. Your images file sounds like mine. I even have an "Art" file in my favorites link and we wont go into the size of that one.


Lakshmi

It is Tara... that's all I know though. I've been collecting pictures ever since I got my first computer... I've got piccies on my pooter, on disks, on the Internet... even on hubbie's laptop. I've added over two hundred more pics in the past week alone (and I only went looking for one ). A world without pictures... yikes that would be my definition of hell!

I would agree. A world without art would be monochrome, and quite dull. When I travel I make a search for art galleries in the area, so I can make it a mini-vacation at the same time. Then I bring a lunch. And I'm usually running late by the time I get where I'm suppose to be, because I always go there first. Once, I apologized, because I was just on the button but ideally should have arrived a few minutes early. I looked at the security guy and said, "Sorry, Monet kept me a little late." This guard looks at me and says, I swear! "Yeah, we get that a lot around here." I about fell on the floor. So much for originality.





I thought Chakras would be an interesting addition to this thread. Chakra is from the Sanskrit, that means, "Wheel". Energetic centers inside the body, that channel the energies of the universal force, to keep us invigorated as spirit in matter. (Get your "Save" button ready. )




(Excerpt) Chakras are energy centers. They function like receivers and transformers of the various forms of prana. Through the nadis, the chakras take in the vital energy and transform it into the frequencies needed by the various areas of the physical bodies for sustenance and development.


Each chakra is connected with one of the elements of earth, water, air ether and mind - mind being an instrument of consciousness. These elements are states of matter and NOT elements as we understand them in modern chemistry. They are equivalent to the terms: solid, liquid, fiery or gaseous, airy, and etheric - which are somewhat analogous to the physical, astral and mental planes and sub-planes.


Chakra is a Sanskrit word, meaning, "wheel." The human chakras are "wheel-like" vortices, or saucer-shaped depressions that exist on the surface of the etheric human body.

Traditional writings say there are 88,000 chakras in the human body. Most are extremely small and play a minor role in your energy system. However, there are approximately 40 secondary chakras that are of significance; these are located in your spleen, the back of your neck, the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. But for brevity purposes, we will only explore the seven (7) primary chakras here. (Continues)

Oooh, now you've made me think of the Marmottan in Paris... I could just do with going back there. I have been meaning to go to Monet's house in Giverny for years, but I never seem to get around to it. We always do the museums when we go on a trip... Paris is great for art. My favourite museum in the whole world is the Musee Guimet

I also love three dimentional art, especially bronze statues... this is Indra (don't have a source for this one either )

I also enjoy sculptures. To add to your beautiful bronze, of Indra. (Link) There's another lovely bronze at that site as well. He's a storm god.

I enjoy the way the gods of hinduism and also much of the Egyptian Pantheon, relate in features akin to the indigenous animals, of the region. So in Egypt the crocodile god, the falcon head of Horus, the great lioness Sekhmet, etc... And in the Hindu faith there's ganesh, the great elephant. While all the gods and goddesses are particularly invested in every aspect of nature. This giant pantheon that manipulates the world stage, if you will. From weather, to the harvests, and even those related to the myriad of human emotions. The god/dess of rage, revenge, like kali ma. Or bhaga , the god of wealth and love. And durga, the god of war. (Hindu Deities)

Such vast pantheons in cultural religions, it's interesting that every aspect of conscious awareness is deified, as it relates to humanity. So one is never alone in this world, of all things that exist. There's this divine accompaniment for everything that does. And the architecture that is created to honor the Hindu myths, is amazing!

The Matale Temple, Sri Lanka

^That temple is amazingly beautiful and looks like a lot of work went into building it!!

Though I do wonder where this topic has gone...

I know what you mean. It's beautiful and the three dimensional sculptures that adorn it are so realistic, it's as if the Hindu gods and goddesses are visiting their own shrine. I'd love to see inside, as well.



What do you mean, please!?

I'm really loving this thread, thanks for all the information. One of my aunties talks alot about Hinduism, but I never really caught on, didn't know much about it. She's been meditating for years and claims she has connected with the Chakra in her forehead (one of GoddessWhispers links says it is the 6th Chakra, 'third eye'). She can feel it rotating when she meditates. I kinda rolled my eyes and laughed when she was speaking about it, but she didn't really offer any further information on what Chakras were. After reading up a bit more about it, it's actually really interesting.

(Goddess)^I mean it seems to have turned into an art discussion.
There are still some interesting bits of reading material though, like how every aspect of conscious awareness was deified.
I sorta missed that on my last look at the post, because of the attention-grabbing picture.

I'm glad to read you here. And I know what your aunt is talking about. I meditate and have had that same feeling. When I first started, I felt what can only be described as if you picture elevator doors sliding open, in the center of the forehead. After that when I'm there, it's been that rotating or wheel like sensation that fills my head and takes me into the meditation.

And I know what you mean MadM. The pictures are distracting, but there are links attached, so once the art engages the interest, the linkage to further reading can begin. And please, you can always feel free to add something. Hinting just slightly here.

that's crazy (in a good way). A couple years back I started going group meditation once a week, then pretty soon it was once a fortnight, once a month, til I just stopped. I think I'll get back into it, I'd love to experience something like that. My aunty was also saying something about waking up one night and seeing a chakra hanging in the middle of her room, spinning and reflecting bright colours. I told her she was probably just dreaming, but reading what you were saying about projecting the pyramid image, perhaps she was doing the same thing or something similar unconsciously. It's so interesting, I'm definitely going to ask her more about it when I see her next

Meditation takes time, to reach the peace and visuals that people say they see. At first , given we're a spontaneous immediate satisfaction type animal it seems, nothing happened and I thought I'd just never get it. But I stuck with it. Focusing on my breathing, shutting off the chatter in my mind, as I sat still and found my center and tried to let go of everything in the mundane world around me. Family, work, etc... I simply sought the stillness, as it were. I also augmented my diet, so that high proteins, red meat and dairy weren't a factor in bogging down my digestion and as such occupying my physical processes so as to further distract my mind, from letting go to noticing I have gas, for instance! Because I found , when I started this, that sitting still with the intent of beginning a meditation, allowed every little process in my body to make itself aware to me. As if it was challenging me to pay attention to the mundane, rather than lose myself from that conscious attention, and venture myself elsewhere. But I stuck with it, because the rooms in my house are very secure. No thin walls to allow other parts of the house interfere with the quiet I had installed in this one room I'd set up for the sole purpose of meditation. After awhile, I could do it. It's like letting go of yourself, while your still there. One realizes, (speaking personally here, this isn't an "expect this if you get it" type sharing), their body and this world, isn't all that. We're here, and present, but we're so much more than what we believe is invested in this body that feels and reacts. And meditation allowed me to know that on a very deep level, whereas before, it was a superficial understanding that I already possessed, but meditation actually showed it to me in a way one can't describe unless they've been there. It brings a peace and a sense of release from the stress and emotional investment our daily life is suppose to engage us to pay attention to, exclusively. As if all this, is all there is. But I assure you, if you can stick with meditation, you'll find that's not the case.


I think life is selfish and self-serving. And while in the usual nomenclature, that sounds like a very bad thing to think, it's true, in so far as what I learned through meditation. Everything one does is to survive ones self. Everything one thinks, is to identify the world at large, according to their understanding of it, which was instilled, from the beginning of one's life, from the day they were born. With parental influences, cultural input, etc... instructing that newborn, highly suggestible consciousness, how things work and their part in that process. With meditation however, realizing selfishness and self-serving, is the basic scaffolding, if you will, to identify and establish, "my self", in my life, while that sense of being is invigorated by something more and as such, one knows, even if they had an understanding before hand as I did, that everyone on Earth is in the same energy, living the same selfish, self-serving dance, of their own life. But that's just part of it. Our self and all that we believe we see. Because, through meditation, I saw that all this literally isn't all there is. And I know now, what physics is talking about when it says nothing is solid and everything is actually moving constantly and to a rhythm. Because I've seen that for myself.

I remember Mr. Duc, in Saigon in 1963. (From archival footage) A Buddhist monk that set himself afire, to protest the governments treatment of Buddhists, and the Vietnam war. I watched a video of the event where he walked to the spot he was to begin his sacrifice, assumed the lotus posture and was then set afire after being doused with gasoline, by his brother monks.

The first time I saw that video, my whole body twitched, and moved toward the monitor of my computer, because it's human nature to want to reach out and save this poor man. Even when it's a video decades old, seeing those flames ignite, just compells the reflex. I watched him burn to death, while never moving a muscle. And his brothers around him watched and chanted and meditated in their way, the whole time, while everyone else, including Vietnamese police, ran about confused as to what to do. His body burned to char and fell over and it is said when the brothers went to retrieve him, so as to bury what remained of their dear friend, the only thing that was wholly identifiable, was his heart. They attempted to burn it again, but it would not burn. So to this day that is a tremendous "sign" of this mans incredible courage , in the face of the adversity of a corrupt government and an unconscionable war. Link

After I began meditation, I can say I know how he could set himself down and then leave that body to burn, because quite simply, he was no longer living in that shell of flesh named, Thich Quang Duc.

I'm not saying one may achieve that level of release, in meditation. Rather, I am saying that I know how it could be possible, because this body is just the vehicle that gets us around this life. But it's not all we are, living the life.



Krishna.

Intriguing, that this deity has often been compared to christ. Some say that the years recorded of christs life in the NT, that omit accounts of his whereabouts from the time he's a pre-teen, until he resurfaces in his 30's, is because he traveled to places like India, Egypt, and even South America. What is very interesting is the parallels between the two myths, related to Krishna and christ. (Yet another image Link )


Edit to add, because I just found it. And related to religious symbology, the Krishna image and his adornments and what they mean, I think is an integral part of deific renderings. Either in print or 3D sculpture. So that the visual aspect alone, sends the message and gives comfort to those that have an affinity for that god/dess vision.
(Excerpt) Each Hindu deity or Incarnation of God has his or her own distinctive iconography, usually expressing some aspect of the special nature of that deity.

Sri Krishna wears a peacock feather that reminds us of his play with the gopas and gopis of Sri Vrindavana. The male peacock especially has long been a symbol of romantic love, and the rasalila episode of Sri Krishna's life teaches us how this kind of love may be directed to God.

Shiva wears a crescent moon on his head along with the river Ganga. Shiva is the Lord of Ascetics who saved the world from destruction by catching the Ganga in his matted hair when she descended to earth. He is the friend of those whom others avoid, and his symbols reflect his nature as embracing the dark side of life along with the light.

Rama is the most human of the Incarnations, and his symbols include the bow and arrow with which he protects dharma.

Although all these deities are manifestations of the One Source, each expresses a different aspect of the Divine, revealing several of the infinite varieties in the Divine Being. (More at link)

visuals? then again I meditate with my eyes open most of the time.

They have medication for that now, you know. ]