Okay, the deities of yogic philosophy may not exactly be lost - they're actually making quite the comeback - but it is the way they're being rediscovered that is remarkable.
Yogis and yoginis worldwide are learning about these strange and wonderful beings in a new kind of story time. They appear in bronze statues called murtis, and are holding their many arms up in yoga studios and kitchen windows worldwide. Their ancient stories are being revived, revamped, and shared in a most curious and empowering way.
The strange thing about all the gods and goddesses of Hindu and yogic philosophy is that when you get down to the essence of the belief you'll find only one all-encompassing energy; a singular divinity that creates everything out of itself.
But the role the gods and goddesses serve is to help us, the humans, understand the attributes of divinity within ourselves. Every deity is an archetype, and each archetype resides within us. It's pretty cool when you delve into it, actually.
For instance, do you know how Ganesh came into being? Do you even know who Ganesh is?
He's the happy, big bellied, elephant headed being with one tusk and a mouse at his feet. There's a couple versions of his creation by his mother Shakti. One way I've heard his story told is this:
Once upon a time in a realm where time and space have no hold, Shakti was hanging out by herself. Shakti is the mother goddess; the feminine aspect of the universal energy. Her consort, Shiva (the archetype of masculine divinity), was gone a lot. He liked to sit on top of the highest mountain meditating for ages at a time.
So Shakti was alone, again, and decided she wanted a son to keep her company. Since Shiva wasn't around to help her out, she created a son herself. There are two versions of how this happened, but my favorite is that out of her own pure joy she laughed and Ganesh was born of that laughter.
Ganesh, being a young god, was a very powerful being. Shakti set him to the task of guarding her bath chamber while she bathed. She told him not to let anyone pass.
However, while Shakti was in the bath, Shiva came home. Not knowing any better, Shiva tried to get into the bathroom to see Shakti. But Ganesh blocked him.
At this point, Shiva's wondering who this kid thinks he is while trying to explain that it's really okay because that's his wife is in there. Ganesh, taking his mother's wishes very seriously, was adamant that Shiva could not pass.
After trying to reason with Ganesh, Shiva still couldn't get in and a full on fight ensues. Apparently it was quite impressive, considering these are gods we're talking about. Ganesh didn't budge, even when Shiva called in his buddies. Finally, after much epic battle, Shiva lopped off the kid's head and strolled in to see Shakti.
Boy was he in trouble! Shakti was furious that Shiva had beheaded their son. Now, if Mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy, so Shiva apologized his way into a "Don't worry, I'll sort it all out" and left to fix his unknowing mistake.
Shiva told his pals to go out and find the first head they saw. That happened to be an elephant, so Shiva took the elephant's head, put it on Ganesh, did a little divine magic and 'vwoallah', Ganesh was all good and had a shiny new trunk to boot.
Good story, 'eh? And that's just the tip of it. We haven't even started to identify all the symbolism within Ganesh himself, like his vehicle, the mouse, which represents Ganesh's skillful training of the easily distracted mind, or the sweets he holds which signify the bliss of enlightenment for those who follow wisdom to oneness.
You'll notice this story didn't exactly sound like it would have a thousand years ago. The telling of it has evolved, but the roots are set in the ground of the ancient past.
Storytelling is an art. It is a powerful form of communication that can be used to shower the senses with deep meaning. This exchange of ideas continues to evolve, and at the same time we are creatively passing on lessons and legends that have been handed down for a very, very long time.
Katrina Ariel Koric
YogaWithKatrina.com YogaWithKatrina.com
Want to know more about yogic philosophy and its archetypes? Resources like the CDs by philosophy professor Douglas Brooks, free emails like Daily Doses of Delight, and classes with your local Anusara? yoga instructor can breathe more wisdom and play into your life.
Katrina Ariel Koric is an Anusara-inspired yoga teacher and free spirit traveling the world living her yoga. She shares her adventures, experience, wisdom, and inspirations through online yoga offerings. You'll enjoy the easy way Katrina helps you integrate yoga and philosophy into your life when you subscribe to her FREE Daily Doses of Delight at dailydosesofdelight.com dailydosesofdelight.com
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