[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Indian Legends (was Re: Shiva and Vishnu)
I add that Shiva reserved the role of redeemer for himself. He did not
want to be directly involved in creation, for creation inevitably implies
suffering. (See Shiva Puranas). So *Shankar* is one who bestows peace,
redemption, liberation. This is the role he wanted for himself.
*Destroyer* means he destroys the illusions of bound souls. He destroys
our suffering caused by ignorance. Of course many people took him to
represent or indicate a name of the supreme God, as I do myself. It is
believed he was the ancient nature god of the original inhabitants of the
Indian sub-continent, hence his lowly status. Ancient seals form
Mohenjo-daro show a *proto*Shiva. The figure has a top-knot, is seated in
a lotus position and is surrounded by creatures, as befits him who is named
Pashupati.
