Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists
For this week's reading, I wanted to learn more about some of the Hindu gods and goddesses. I decided to focus on Lord Shiva. Growing up, I was taught about many of the gods and goddesses, but I was only given surface knowledge. I decided to read Sister Nivedita's, Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists. Earlier in the semester, I read another one of her works and enjoyed it. Sister Nivedita opens the chapter about Shiva by informing that he is the Great God. He is Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra, who creates, maintains, and destroys. Shiva was married to Sati. Sati's father, Daksha, hated Shiva and talked ill of him any chance he could get. When Sati went back to her maternal home after her marriage, she was greeted by her father's disapproval of Shiva. Due to this, she ultimately ended up dying. She couldn't hear ill of her husband and lord. When Shiva heard of Sati's death, he was enraged. He sent men to kill Daksha and any Brahmin or god that got in their way. Because of Shiva's anger, Brahma advised the gods to make peace with Shiva because he was capable of destroying the whole universe. There was a myth that after her death, Shiva held Sati's dead body across his back, destroying everything he passed. After seeing this, Vishnu began throwing discus after discus at Sati's body until Shiva realized that he didn't have that weight on his back any longer. Shiva returns to his home and continues his eternal meditation. I am excited to read about Shiva is Sister Nivedita's other book, Cradle Tales of Hinduism.
(Shiva carrying Sati's body. Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Bibliography. Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists, Sister Nivedita. (1914)
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