Why this title? Is that your question? Let me explain the symbolism that I find in this festival that today is getting celebrated in every nook and corner of Pune.
Let us begin with the myth of the birth of the divine Dutta. It is, in my opinion, a story which truly reflects the infinite and immense feminine strength. Sati Anusuya is well-known for her devotion to her husband. Narada, the busybody, sings her praises in the heaven, the abode of gods.
In a very anthropomorphic way, three goddesses get jealous, and want that she be tested. They send Bramha, Vishnu, Shankar to find out if her reputation is worth it. In another version of the myth, the gods themselves want to test her integrity.
Thus begins the story of a mortal woman's grace and strength, even when pitted against the all-mighty! The gods apparently arrive at her ashram under the guise of sadhu's. Their condition for eating a plateful is that she should serve them completely unclothed!
Such is Anusuya's (her very name implies someone gracious, pure, gentle, beyond envy and jealousy, truly divine in this sense) spiritual energy that she converts the three gods (or in another version, the three become) in to babies whom she can nurse against her breast!
If such a victory of the feminine over every possible pretension is one reason why I appreciate the Dutta Jayanti, let me share with you two more reasons why I like this religious celebration.
Around the Dutta idol, one can see every possible animal and bird. The dog would signify total devotion, pure love and absolute commitment, for example. One can thus assign a symbolic value to the entire iconography, right? Incidentally, a tree, the wild fig tree, is associated with the Dutta ensemble. In other words, if you want to assign a very contemporary meaning to the icon, one could always say that Dutta signifies the arch conservationist, the force that truly cared for the fauna and flora.
Yet another interesting fact about Dutta is that he can find guidance in n from everything, everyone and every event. I admire immensely this open acceptance. It reveals not merely an eternal desire to learn or mere humility. In my opinion, it is a sensible search for a sensitive togetherness.
How rich indeed is our Indian iconography, traditional, ancient yet contemporary! Hence the title of our blog today.
Pratima@"Where mercy, pity and love dwell," felt William Blake, "there God is dwelling, too."
Quote of the day: Interpretation is an artistic exploration of value creation. So says yours truly! Some defining as refining!
Word of the day: Celestial This word can prove my point. Literally, it denotes the sky, an astronomical phenomenon. It can, however, be interpreted as something or someone heavenly, excellent, truly good!
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