Exploring the Philosophy Embodied in Kali | Devdutt Pattanaik
SPEAKER:
Devdutt Pattanaik writes on relevance of mythology in modern times. He is also a speaker, illustrator and author, on Hindu sacred lore, legends, folklore, fables and parables. He has written books on the relevance of sacred stories, symbols and rituals. His more popular books include Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology; Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata; and Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana and My Gita.
SYNOPSIS:
The recent political storm over MP Mahua Moitra’s comments on Kali soon followed by another political controversy around The Week magazine publishing on its cover a 200 year old Kangra painting of shiva & #Kali brought the national attention on the many varied ways in which the goddess is imagined, understood and worshipped across the subcontinent.
To some she is a loving mother, to some a ferocious warrior #goddess . She is associated with cremation grounds and believed to symbolise death. And yet she also represents the creation of life and the universe. Some believe she is the manifestation of the ultimate reality, the “#brahman ”. Then there are those who see in her a rule-breaking feminist icon.
Even the #ancientindia texts don’t seem to agree. At one end we are told that she emerged from Shiva to slay the demons and on the other she is herself “#adishakti ”, the supreme power.
Literature tells us that she is timeless and formless. Yet the visual depictions of her form have evoked awe, horror and reverence among millions for centuries.
While in many parts of India her worship still involves liquor or meat or blood, to vast swathes of Indians unaware of this, even the mention of such substances in association with the #devi is nothing less than sacrilege.
Today we have invited one of the most knowledgeable scholars of Indian #mythology to help us unravel the perplexing iconography, legends and practices associated with the ever more intriguing goddess Kali!
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Explore More at - www.argumentativeindians.com
DISCLAIMER:
We invite thought leaders from across the ideological spectrum. The guests in our sessions express their independent views and opinions. Argumentative Indians does not profess to subscribe, agree or endorse the same or be in anyway responsible for the stance, words and comments of our guests.