Guest guest Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 In a message dated 2/7/2005 7:44:12 PM Eastern Standard Time, nmadasamy writes: Eventually it depends on us on how we interprete the whole image, based on our level of understanding. Hmmmmm It could relate to what animals you find like Noraji suggested. I am not postive, but are there even lions in India today? I know there used to be lions in Europe, but they went extinct. Perhaps there were lions present and now there are few. In Bengal where Durga Pija is the biggest holiday (holy day) there are wild tigers in the jungle, but no lions......It makes sense the Bengalis would seat her on a tiger. Perhaps there are lions in other parts of India? hehehe seeing her on a kitty could be a fun painting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 paulie-rainbow wrote: Could you tell me again why the scriptures that I read have Durga with her lion but the pictures show Her on a tiger. I also have a lovely idol of Her where She sits on Her tiger. I love the tiger but I find it confusing. Good Morning Paulie. I love the tiger too. I'm born in the year of the tiger. hheheeeee. I remember we did discuss about this long time back and somebody said about depending on the area they come from. You only see tiger in India and certain part of Asia. LEt me try to extract that conversation again. I have my own opinion about this. As Kochu said, the interpretation of the scriptures depends on one level of understanding. Is it possible that when they say "Cat" it also means "Felis Catus" As we all know there are different types of Felis. Big Felis, Small felis. Wild Felis or the domesticated felis. It can really confuse a person, if for example you have never seen one. Back to Durga sitting on a "Cat". I see the "cat" as an inner self that needs to be control or overcome. As we know one of the characteristic of cat is that, they always have a mind of their own. There is a joke " A dog will think he is the member of the family. A Cat thinks you are a member of her family." Eventually it depends on us on how we interprete the whole image, based on our level of understanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Namaste, Asiatic Lions previously ranged widely in India, although today there are only a couple of hundred remaining in the Gir Forest Reserve in Saurastra (and perhaps a dozen in various zoos). The Junagadh Zoo has five or six Indian lions on display (and even a kangaroo and some emus, for homesick Australians!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 You belong to some strange land or some age where communications systems seem to be pretty weak. It is a shame that you know so little of India. Maybe you don't watch National Geographic / Discovery / Animal Planet channels. There are plenty of lions in states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Also you need to be a little more serious about our gods and goddesses. Man's ancestors in Europe were crawling on their fours when India was creating complex works in literature and culture. The decimal point in Maths was given to the world by India. Not to speak of the fact that the so called land of the free or USA has grabbed the land from the red Indians by massacring/causing genocide to them. India did nothing of the kind. I hope you get the point. Namo Durge Satyen swastik108 wrote: In a message dated 2/7/2005 7:44:12 PM Eastern Standard Time, nmadasamy writes: Eventually it depends on us on how we interprete the whole image, based on our level of understanding. Hmmmmm It could relate to what animals you find like Noraji suggested. I am not postive, but are there even lions in India today? I know there used to be lions in Europe, but they went extinct. Perhaps there were lions present and now there are few. In Bengal where Durga Pija is the biggest holiday (holy day) there are wild tigers in the jungle, but no lions......It makes sense the Bengalis would seat her on a tiger. Perhaps there are lions in other parts of India? hehehe seeing her on a kitty could be a fun painting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 In a message dated 2/8/2005 12:54:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, satyenrao writes: """You belong to some strange land or some age where communications systems seem to be pretty weak."""" Please don't be so harsh in your words, I find it somewhat offensive. No, I don't watch TV and haven't in years, nor am I an expert in the geographic distribution of animals. I've only spent a year living in Bengal state and hope to be living there by next year for two. The whole time I was there I only heard about the Tigers! My post was open ended, respectful and inquisitive. Why be so harsh to a 25 year old Shakta who admitetdly still has a lot to learn? ""Also you need to be a little more serious about our gods and goddesses. Man's ancestors in Europe were crawling on their fours when India was creating complex works in literature and culture. The decimal point in Maths was given to the world by India.""" Excuse me sir, but please look at your phrasing....I was asking about animals being located in different territories throughout India. I do not think anything related Ma is a joke and take Kali very seriously, but also am a playful person myself ;-) My ancestors were crawling on fours???? Are you saying we evolved from wolves? C'mon man! I would never talk like that about another person's culture despite any discoveries my culture may have made in history. """Not to speak of the fact that the so called land of the free or USA has grabbed the land from the red Indians by massacring/causing genocide to them.India did nothing of the kind.I hope you get the point...."" The only point that I am getting is that you are very arrogant and seem to be cultural predjudiced almost to the point of sheer racism. It makes me sad to hear all this only because I asked if there were Lions still living in India and where they may be located!!! There was no need to attack me or my country. Not that I am attached so much to any country...but I don't like what you tried to do and do not understand it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Lions survive in the greatest number in Eastern Africa. There used to be lions in Europe, but no more. There are some lions in Northwest India. According to the displays in Noo Yawk's Museum of Natural History, Asian (Indian) lions are larger and more ferocious than the African lions! Wherever lions are found, they are always seen as symbols of nobility and kingship. In Pagan cultures, they are also seen as symbols of the Great Mother Goddess (see the sculptures in Greece of Cybele, always accompanied by a lion). Tigers are found in a more limited area, in North-eastern India (Bengal, Bangladesh). They are also powerful big cats, and it seems natural that Hindus of Bengal would see Durga as riding a tiger. There are mountain lions indigenous to South America, and even in the western United States. I wonder if Hindus of the Indian diaspora, living in the Americas (USA, Guayana, Trinidad, etc.) ever envision Durga on a mountain lion, puma, jaguar, or other great cat of the West? A study of the iconography of the Nine Durgas reveals that the Defender of Our World can also be portrayed as riding a bull (obviously borrowing the vehicle of her consort, Lord Shiva), or, when called Kalaratri, on a donkey or wild ass. Several other Devas occasionally are shown riding on a lion, including Saraswati, and a five-faced version of Ganesha called Heramba. In Nepal and Tibet, there are forms of Goddesses shown riding on "snow lions." Snow lions are mythical interpretations of a species of lion supposedly living in the high Himalayas. They look like Fu-dogs, and often are painted as white, with bright green manes! -- Len/ Kalipadma (My birthname, Leonard, means "like a lion") --- Satyen Rao <satyenrao wrote: > > You belong to some strange land or some age where > communications systems seem to be pretty weak. It is > a shame that you know so little of India. Maybe you > don't watch National Geographic / Discovery / Animal > Planet channels. There are plenty of lions in states > of Gujarat and Rajasthan. > > Also you need to be a little more serious about our > gods and goddesses. Man's ancestors in Europe were > crawling on their fours when India was creating > complex works in literature and culture. The decimal > point in Maths was given to the world by India. > > Not to speak of the fact that the so called land of > the free or USA has grabbed the land from the red > Indians by massacring/causing genocide to them. > > India did nothing of the kind. > > I hope you get the point. > > Namo Durge > Satyen > > > swastik108 wrote: > > In a message dated 2/7/2005 7:44:12 PM Eastern > Standard Time, > nmadasamy writes: > Eventually it depends on us on how we interprete the > whole image, > based on our level of understanding. > Hmmmmm It could relate to what animals you find like > Noraji suggested. > > I am not postive, but are there even lions in India > today? I know there used > to be lions in Europe, but they went extinct. > Perhaps there were lions present > and now there are few. In Bengal where Durga Pija is > the biggest holiday > (holy day) there are wild tigers in the jungle, but > no lions......It makes sense > the Bengalis would seat her on a tiger. > > Perhaps there are lions in other parts of India? > hehehe seeing her on a kitty > could be a fun painting! > > > > > All your favorites on one personal page – Try My Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Satyen and swastik: This is a non-issue. I agree that Swastics mail was innocent and it had none of the connotations that satyen raised. Let us treat this topic as closed please? lets not start a round of unnecessary posts, please? Regarding racism it is there everywhere whether one likes it or not. I myself was a victim. So I know what it is. But then this is not the forum to discuss that. swastik108 wrote: In a message dated 2/8/2005 12:54:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, satyenrao writes: """You belong to some strange land or some age where communications systems seem to be pretty weak."""" Please don't be so harsh in your words, I find it somewhat offensive. No, I don't watch TV and haven't in years, nor am I an expert in the geographic distribution of animals. I've only spent a year living in Bengal state and hope to be living there by next year for two. The whole time I was there I only heard about the Tigers! My post was open ended, respectful and inquisitive. Why be so harsh to a 25 year old Shakta who admitetdly still has a lot to learn? ""Also you need to be a little more serious about our gods and goddesses. Man's ancestors in Europe were crawling on their fours when India was creating complex works in literature and culture. The decimal point in Maths was given to the world by India.""" Excuse me sir, but please look at your phrasing....I was asking about animals being located in different territories throughout India. I do not think anything related Ma is a joke and take Kali very seriously, but also am a playful person myself ;-) My ancestors were crawling on fours???? Are you saying we evolved from wolves? C'mon man! I would never talk like that about another person's culture despite any discoveries my culture may have made in history. """Not to speak of the fact that the so called land of the free or USA has grabbed the land from the red Indians by massacring/causing genocide to them.India did nothing of the kind.I hope you get the point...."" The only point that I am getting is that you are very arrogant and seem to be cultural predjudiced almost to the point of sheer racism. It makes me sad to hear all this only because I asked if there were Lions still living in India and where they may be located!!! There was no need to attack me or my country. Not that I am attached so much to any country...but I don't like what you tried to do and do not understand it myself. Sponsor document.write(''); / Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. Learn more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 In a message dated 2/8/2005 6:31:38 AM Eastern Standard Time, kalipadma108 writes: -- Len/ Kalipadma (My birthname, Leonard, means "like a lion") Well bless you for that knowledge! I have always loved lions as a symbol of the Sun and that goes along with the royal themes as well, but i didn't know all of that! Interestiong theory we have he regarding manifestations of Durga in different portrayals relating to what "big cat" is present locally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Namaste, If you mean that we should leave off discussions of racism or seeming over-sensitivity to someone else's meaning, I agree. But I am rather benefitting from this discussion of the Devi and her feline mount and should not like to see it prematurely closed. Respectfully, prainbow , sankara menon <kochu1tz> wrote: > Satyen and swastik: > > This is a non-issue. I agree that Swastics mail was innocent and it had none of the connotations that satyen raised. > > Let us treat this topic as closed please? lets not start a round of unnecessary posts, please? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Namaste Len, >From personal observation, Asiatic Lions seem to be slightly smaller than their African cousins; although, if the two varieties were standing together it would be difficult to distinguish them! The Lion is the Sun, the creative Fire of Life. Tigers are more widely distributed in India than you suggest. I know that tigers still exist in remote jungles across the Himalayan foothills, and they are (rarely) sighted near my ashram at Rudraprayag! A full-grown Tiger would perhaps be even larger than a Lion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 I read somewhere that the lion is considered more "royal" and disciplined, but the tiger represents a more fierce and savage force, probably because of the Kali-black stripes. Here is a joke: What is a tiger? An 800-pound pussy that eats YOU. Lilith M. --- prainbow61 <paulie-rainbow wrote: > > Namaste, > > Could you tell me again why the scriptures that I > read have Durga with her lion but the > pictures show Her on a tiger. I also have a lovely > idol of Her where She sits on Her tiger. > > I love the tiger but I find it confusing. > > Blesssings, > > prainbow > > > > Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. http://info.mail./mail_250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Tigers are the largest big cats...a full-grown lion will weigh about 500 lbs, a tiger can go 800 lbs! Lilith M. --- Sarabhanga Giri <sarabhanga wrote: > A full-grown Tiger would perhaps be even larger than > a Lion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 I think, in India, as in Europe, and even in America, human babies crawl before they walk. And when they grow up and become enlightened, they spit and throw excrement, too , swastik108@a... wrote: > In a message dated 2/8/2005 12:54:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, > satyenrao writes: > """You belong to some strange land or some age where communications systems > seem to be pretty weak."""" > > Please don't be so harsh in your words, I find it somewhat offensive. No, I > don't watch TV and haven't in years, nor am I an expert in the geographic > distribution of animals. I've only spent a year living in Bengal state and hope to > be living there by next year for two. The whole time I was there I only heard > about the Tigers! > > My post was open ended, respectful and inquisitive. Why be so harsh to a 25 > year old Shakta who admitetdly still has a lot to learn? > > ""Also you need to be a little more serious about our gods and goddesses. > Man's ancestors in Europe were crawling on their fours when India was creating > complex works in literature and culture. The decimal point in Maths was given to > the world by India.""" > > > Excuse me sir, but please look at your phrasing....I was asking about animals > being located in different territories throughout India. I do not think > anything related Ma is a joke and take Kali very seriously, but also am a playful > person myself ;-) > > My ancestors were crawling on fours???? Are you saying we evolved from > wolves? C'mon man! I would never talk like that about another person's culture > despite any discoveries my culture may have made in history. > > """Not to speak of the fact that the so called land of the free or USA has > grabbed the land from the red Indians by massacring/causing genocide to > them.India did nothing of the kind.I hope you get the point...."" > > The only point that I am getting is that you are very arrogant and seem to be > cultural predjudiced almost to the point of sheer racism. It makes me sad to > hear all this only because I asked if there were Lions still living in India > and where they may be located!!! > > There was no need to attack me or my country. Not that I am attached so much > to any country...but I don't like what you tried to do and do not understand > it myself. > > > > > 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.