Intro and question about iconography ( A repost )

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urochs

Hi to all,

 

I am just one face amongst the millions in this world who worship and

adore Lord Shiva. The Shaivite tradition which I study and practice

is the Pratyabhijna of Kashmir Shaivism. Until recently, I used to

have the misconception that the Pratyabhijna tradition is purely

Shaivite (as in: having Lord Shiva as its one and only central

deity). As my study progressed, I began to realize my tradition is as

much Shakta as it is Shaivite. Shiva and Shakti are accorded equal

levels of importance and relevance. It then occured to me that

perhaps I should begin incorporating some study of Devi and the

various Shakta traditions to help enrich my understanding of my own

tradition.

 

May I end this message with a question about Durga iconography. In

the (slight)majority of the various pictures of Durga I have seen,

she holds the mace in one of her left hands, whereas with the

minority, the mace appears in one of her right hands. (I have also

seen this left-right interchange of the mace in the various pictures

of Lord Vishnu too.)

 

Which one of these two portraiture-variants is the correct one? Does

it matter?

 

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

OMnamahsivaaya

Gene

 

adi_shakthi16

gene, here is an account of how devi durga acquired the weapon

*MACE*in dvi mahatmiyam.

 

Mother durga's ten hands hold different weapons. Each hand carries a

deadly weapon of destruction bestowed on her by the various gods of

Hindu mythology, on the occasion of her battle with evil. (the

salying of different asuras mahishasur, chanda , munda, raktabija etc)

 

The kamandal is said to be received from Brahma, the chakra from

Vishnu, the trishul from Shiva, the Vajra (lightning) from Indra, the

kuthar from Vishwakarma, the Kaladanda (mace) from Yamraj, the nag

from Vasuki, the kharga and dhal (shield) from Surya and the

Dhanuswar (bow and arrow) from Vayu.

 

**************************************************

now as per devi mahatmiyam,

 

The demons came closer to the battlefield and began to cause a great

clamour.

 

When Durga heard the din, she mounted her lion.

 

She flourished ****a mace in her left hand.****

 

All of Sranvat Beej's army was annihilated.

 

The warriors were rolling upon the ground like an addict rolls about

(senselessly) after taking a drug.

 

Countless demons were lying upon the battle ground after being

knocked off their feet.

 

They looked like players who were asleep in the month of phagun.

 

Now, it is clear from this account that goddess durga was holding the

***mace*** in her left hand!!!!!!

 

Each weapon of the goddess destroys the 'enemies' within one's body -

the asuras are not external. they are within one's one body.

 

Thus the *****mace**** is a powerful weapon against destroying

*pride* or *arrogance* and it restores *humility* in a person! In

mahabharata, bhishma used *mace* to humble his enemies. similarly,

hanuman used the *mace* effectively against his enemies !

 

So, mace is a powerful weapon to be used against *arrigance* or

pride ! it is weapon which restores *humility* !

 

MY 2 CENTS!