Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol
Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol
Author: Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik
ISBN 81-88569-04-6
Paperback, pp. 167
158 mm x 228 mm
Rs. 225
World rights available
Disdain for the material world is a dominant theme in philosophical schools that consider Shiva as their patron deity. This disdain manifests in two ways: asceticism and alchemy. In the former, sexual activity is shunned; in the latter sexual activity is merely an occult ritual. And yet, Shiva is represented by a very sexual symbol: the male reproductive organ placed within the female reproductive organ. Why? The easy route is to accept the most common and simplistic explanation: it is a fertility symbol. But to make sense of a mythological image one has to align the language heard (stories) with the language performed (rituals) and the language seen (symbol). All dissonances have to be removed so that the real meaning can be deciphered. The quest for this meaning inspired Dr. Pattanaik to write this book.
An excerpt from Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol
A review by M.V. Kamath, News Today (October 11, 2006)
A review on the Shiv Shakti Mandalam web site
The Author
Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik has lectured and written extensively on the relevance of mythology to modern man. His books on Hindu mythology include: Vishnu – an introduction, Devi – an introduction, Hanuman – an introduction, Lakshmi – an introduction, Man who was a Woman and Other Queer Tales from Hindu Lore, Goddess in India: Five Faces of the Divine Feminine and Indian Mythology – tales from the heart of the subcontinent. Dr. Pattanaik lives in Mumbai, India.