Guest guest Posted October 17, 2002 Report Share Posted October 17, 2002 The lion is a lone animal. It mates only once a year or once in two years. the symbolism here as devi's vahana is that unlike other beasts it is in complete control of lusts and desires. Further, the lion hunts only when hungry and rest of the time is able to use the same w\ter hole as other creatures in the jungle without attacking them. An old lion usually retires from the pride and goes off to live in solitude....which is symbolic again!! A pride again is a matriarchal society, so hyperpolating, the lion could symbolise the "shiva" who is companion of devi...cause it begs a question if she is a feminine deity why is she not riding a lioness to personify divine feminine energy complete and chooses a (male) lion instead as a vahana????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2002 Report Share Posted October 18, 2002 dear nora, i really appreciate your posting this wealth of information on 'lion' -the king of the jungle. ir was most informative.... when i was flying back from Amesterdam into washington dc , my main concern was how was i going to spend the 8 hours on the united airlines Jet? Of course, i always know how to 'entertain' myself- so for the first part of the journey, i read on Van Gogh and Rembrandt - some literature i had collected from the museums in amesterdam.... for the second part of the journey, my daughter and i decided to watch the video -while my daughter decided to view the movie ' a beautiful mind' - i decided to watch the 'discovery ' channel ... the steward was rather surprised and asked me how i chose the 'discovery' channel? i replied, " well, this is a channel that my grandson and i always watch and find the 'animals' to be a fascinating subject... " they were showing the 'majestic' elephants in their natural habitat in the african jungles! somehow, i prfe the look of our own indian elephants to the African version... prejudice, i suppose! you are right in mentioning that lions do not attack elephants... true, is it because the elephants are taller and mightier? they can trample the lions without any problem? you mention an interesting point... it is hard to distinguish between lions - they all seem to look alike - but tigers can be distinguished by the pattern of stripes .... they differ from tiger to tiger... yes, do lions ever retire? how do they protect themselves when thy get too old to defend themselves... i am reminded of a poem by Jonathan swift from my school days... The Sick Lion and the Ass by Jonathan Swift A lion sunk by time's decay, Too feeble grown to hunt his prey, Observed his fatal hour draw nigh: He drooped and laid him down to die. There came by chance a savage boar, Who trembled oft to hear him roar, But when he saw him thus distressed He tore and gored his royal breast. A bull came next (ungen'rous foe), Rejoiced to find him fall'n so low, And with his horny-armed head He aimed at once to strike him dead, - He strikes, he wounds, he shocks in vain, The lion still conceals his pain. At length a base inglorious ass, Who saw so many insults pass, Came up and kicked him in the side: 'Twas this that raised the lion's pride. He roused, and thus he spoke at length, For indignation gave him strength: Thou sorry, stupid, sluggish creature, Disgrace and shame and scorn of nature! You saw how well I could dispense With blows from beasts of consequence! They dignified the wounds they gave; For none complain who feel the brave. But you, the lowest of all brutes, How ill your face with courage suits! What dullness in thy looks appears! I'd rather far (by heav'n 'tis true) Expire by these than live by you: A kick from thee is double death - I curse thee with my dying breath! The Moral Rebukes are easy from our betters, >From men of quality and letters; But when low dunces will affront, What man alive can stand the brunt? enjoy! love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2002 Report Share Posted October 19, 2002 "kallikaputri" "The lion is a lone animal. It mates only once a year or once in two years" The Male lion is alone animal yes, but th elioness is not . The Lioness live in a group, and amonst the cats they are the most socialble animal. The Tiger is another lone animal ( for both male and female) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2002 Report Share Posted October 19, 2002 "kallikaputri" "in complete control of lusts and desires." Personally I believe it is more than in complete control o f Lusts and desires. "the lion could symbolise the "shiva" who is companion of devi...cause it begs a question if she is a feminine deity why is she not riding a lioness to personify divine feminine energy complete and chooses a (male) lion instead as a vahana?????" I think I have answered it in my previous post on "the goddess and thelions" Om ParaShaktiye Namaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.