Indian Samurai इंडियन सामुराई

Because this year my Diwali gift is a trip to Paris (far far away from the crackers), I wish you, along with my office neighbours, a very happy Diwali!!

Last month I brought foreign guests to a Hindu temple in Delhi (Chattarpur Mandir). They were amazed by the noise (that particular temple had 6 TVs blasting music!). We are far from the pious meditation of churches… It is also much less clean – this is a known-fact, not a criticism!

 

There are a lot of visuals in Hindu mythology and I was quite amazed by the giant stage (at least 10 meters wide). It is definitely more fun than Catholic statues, but how more kitsch can you do??!

 

So here is Vishnu (the preserver of the universe) and his wife Lakshmi (who brings good fortune). Vishnu is basically resting – as he does 6 months of the year, dixit my colleague – on his coiled serpent which protects him. And his wife his massaging his feet which is very often representated…

 

Vishnu

In the basic Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the Hindu god Vishnu is the preserver and protector of creation. Vishnu is the embodiment of mercy and goodness, the self-existent, all-pervading power that preserves the universe and maintains the cosmic order Dharma.

 

Most often, the Hindu god Vishnu is shown with four attributes or weapons. In one hand he holds the conch or Sankha. The second hand of Vishnu holds the disc. The third hand of Vishnu holds the club and in the fourth hand Vishnu holds the lotus. Vishnu also has a bow and a sword.

 

Lakshmi

As soon as the gods saw Lakshmi, they all fell in love with her beauty. Shiva claimed Lakshmi as his wife, but since he had already taken the Moon, her hand was given to Vishnu, whom Lakshmi herself preferred.

Lakshmi was reborn as his consort each time when Vishnu incarnated. For example, Lakshmi was Sita to Rama, Radha and later Rukmini to Krishna.

 

Source :

http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/lakshmi.htm

"When I think of India, it is with a very particular tenderness. India, the country of all contrasts, I hated it like I adored it. This country saw me grow. I learned patience there, as well as agressivity. But this country I loved it. I loved taking rickshaws and racing with other rickshaws. I loved taking the train in Mumbai. I loved the beauty of the touristic sites, the beauty of the nature. I even learned to appreciate the city’s noise, traffic and beggars. But above all I discovered the Indian culture, its complexity… The marriages, the casts… This country, as difficult as it is, is unique, and can not leave indifferent.”

 

Clara M., 12/09/2011, Travel in August 2001 (Rajasthan), internship for 4 months in 2010 (Mumbai)