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Discovering Sacred Texts: Hinduism
Sacred Hindu texts, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, and Ramayana, shape Hindu beliefs, practices, and culture. These texts influence Hindu art, demonstrating the intertwining of religion and artistic expression in Hinduism. Created by Smarthistory.
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Sorry if these questions are somehow offensive, but I am curious about this...
1. Is there a specific reason why some of the Hindu gods are blue, or is it just because that's the way they are?
2. Why does almost everyone in the illustrations have facial hair?
3.Why is Shiva called "lord of the dance"?(2 votes)
1) I recall looking this up some years ago. Yes, "blueness" and deity have a relationship in hinduism. It was an easy google search, and I learned a lot, but I forgot almost all of it.
2) I guess that most of the humans and deities in the illustrations must have been male. I doubt that women would be depicted with facial hair. I guess that the artists liked to draw or paint males.
3) Shiva is the lord of the dance in the same way that Aphrodite (in greek folk religion) was the goddess of love. It's that particular god's "field of endeavor."(2 votes)