SPIRIT OF CO-EXISTENCE
Our international relations are profoundly affected by our nature and attitude. Whether in a country, family or work place, people have to live in a team. But its common to listen people complaining about others of their team. This leads to frequent intolerance and bitterness.
A relevant lesson, however, is commonly seen in India, one that anyone of any faith can easily absorb in this country – though how many of us observe it or profit by this sight?
I mean the tableau of Lord Shiva’s family. Shiva’s family teaches and gives us togetherness and tolerance are required for co-existence despite fundamental differences and this is observed in India where it is often referred to as unity in diversity. If we observe Lord Shiva himself, we see the holy Ganga on his head and a snake around his throat. Mother ganga is the source of life, whereas the serpent is the symbol of death. They are opposite but exist peacefully on Shiva’s person.
Similarly we believe there is nectar on Shiva’s tongue, but the snakes poison nearby, coloring his throat blue, which is why we call him neelcanth ( blue due to poison).
Now observe the vehicle of two sons of Shiva-Parvati. Ganesha’s vehicle/vahan is a mouse and Kartikeya’s is a peacock. Both creatures are natural enemies of the snake, but how peacefully they reside together. Look further at the vehicle of the Divine couple itself! Shiva’s bull and Parvati’s lion, lie down peacefully together though they are ardent enemies by nature, are they not?
In sum the whole concept of a Shivala illustrates an important life truth through the lesson of mythology. To make this world work, we need to be tolerant of each other, accept our differences – especially the religious ones – and live in harmony. But this tableau of tolerance can happen only if we control our minds like Lord Shiva. The peace we find in a shivala is only possible because of the personality of Lord Shiva who gives abundantly to the world but himself lives like a yogi on ashes despite being Lord of the Universe.
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