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The 'Male' concept of God

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renuka

Well-known member
I was just thinking that even though I believe in equal rights for men and women I grew up preferring the concept of God being male!

Now when I am older I know that Brahman is neither Male,Female or Neuter but still a tiny bit in me still prefers the male aspect of Saguna Brahman! God knows why??

I wonder is it becos opposites attract or the Purusha aspect of God is indeed Male!LOL

So I am no female activist after all!LOL
 
I was just thinking that even though I believe in equal rights for men and women I grew up preferring the concept of God being male!

Now when I am older I know that Brahman is neither Male,Female or Neuter but still a tiny bit in me still prefers the male aspect of Saguna Brahman! God knows why??

I wonder is it becos opposites attract or the Purusha aspect of God is indeed Male!LOL


So I am no female activist after all!LOL

Dear Renuka,

Even the different forms of Saguna brahman such as Shiva and Vishnu are not higher than their consorts Parvati and Lakshmi respectively. Parvati is half of Shiva and Lakshmi resides in the heart of Vishnu.

So really there is no male concept of god. Gods and Goddesses are I think made equal.
 
Dear Renuka,

Even the different forms of Saguna brahman such as Shiva and Vishnu are not higher than their consorts Parvati and Lakshmi respectively. Parvati is half of Shiva and Lakshmi resides in the heart of Vishnu.

So really there is no male concept of god. Gods and Goddesses are I think made equal.

Dear Sravna,

Thanks for reply..Yes I know that technically there is no Male of Female concept of God but this thread is for members to share which gender they prefer when it comes to Saguna Brahman.

I wonder why I grew up preferring the "male" aspect of God.

For example as kid I found Lord Shiva hot and macho!LOL
 
Dear Sravna,

Thanks for reply..Yes I know that technically there is no Male of Female concept of God but this thread is for members to share which gender they prefer when it comes to Saguna Brahman.

I wonder why I grew up preferring the "male" aspect of God.

For example as kid I found Lord Shiva hot and macho!LOL

Dear Renuka,

You should have been a very precocious kid to have found Shiva hot and macho. Just Kidding!
 
Dear Renuka,

You should have been a very precocious kid to have found Shiva hot and macho. Just Kidding!


Dear Sravna,

May be!LOL

But by the time I was 10..I used to tell my mum that Lord Shiva is so handsome and looks macho etc.

I found Lord Rama too calm for my liking.

Lord Vishnu looked to sweet in most pics.

Lord Muruga always looked like a young boy types.

So Lord Shiva was the hero types..with sharp looks.

Most Lord Shiva paintings depicted a very good looking person who had sharp and strong features.

So I guess it was the artist impression that made me prefer the male aspect of God.

Most artist do not paint very beautiful pic of Goddesses..most of the paintings we see were rather homely looking Goddesses.

May be if any artist had painted a more beautiful and sexier Goddess I would have preferred the female concept.

For example if anyone had painted Goddess Kali like this..surely Kali would have been my favorite.

Check this out!

kali-2487.jpg
 
Dr Renu

What do you think of image of Lord Ayyappa son of Lord Vishnu as Mohini and Lord Siva :-)

Transgender concept was accepted in Hindu stories it seems

Regards
 
Dr Renu

What do you think of image of Lord Ayyappa son of Lord Vishnu as Mohini and Lord Siva :-)

Transgender concept was accepted in Hindu stories it seems

Regards

Dear TKS ji,

Most images of Lord Ayyappa shows a round faced sweet lad riding a tiger.

But frankly speaking if a person could ride a tiger surely he would have been well built,muscular and brave.

So I feel the real Ayyapa Swami would have been not like what the pic depicted him..for all we know he could have looked like a Greek God six pack and all.

I hope a new breed of artists do justice to Hindu Gods...old artists used to draw even Lord Vishnu with a muffin top waist!
 
Dear Renuka,

I think even Gods and Goddesses have to be concerned about their beauty to get some attention. Nothing different even for the divine beings!
 
Siva the androgyne, half male & half female at Elephanta caves, Elephanta Island off Mumbai coast

6466027743_619d74b7da_b.jpg
 
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Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram

Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram
[Prayer of the Great Victor over Death]
By Sage Markandeya

[Sage Mrukandu prayed Lord Shiva for a son. Lord Shiva asked him whether he wanted an intelligent son who will live only for 16 years or foolish son, who will live for one hundred years. The sage chose the former. A son was born to him and was named as Markandeya. This boy became a very great devotee of Lord Shiva. On his sixteenth birthday, he entered the sanctum sanctorum of the lord and embraced him. Yama, the lord of death came to take away his soul. Lord Shiva killed Yama. Then the boy Markandeya sang the following stotra. This prayer is supposed to ward of all evils, remove fear of death and realize all wishes.]


[TABLE="width: 607"]
[TR]
[TD]
[/TD]
[TD]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Atha nyasam
Om Sri Ganesaya Nama. Om asya Sri Maha mrutyunjaya stotra mantrasya, Sri Markandeya rishi, Anushtup chanda, Sri Mrutyunjayo devatha, Gowri shakthi, samastha mrutyu santhyartham, sakala aiswarya prapthyartham, jape viniyoga.


Atha dhyanam (Now the prayer)

Chandrarkagni vilochanam, smitha mukam,
Padmadwayantha sthitham,
Mudra pasa mrugakshasuthra vilasath paanim
Himaam suprabham,
Kotindu prakalathsudhaplutha thanum haaraathi,
Bhooshojwalam,
Kantham viswa vimohanam, pasupathim,
Mruthyunjayam bhavayeth.



Neelakandam, kalamoorthim kalagnamr kalanasanam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 2



Neelakandam, viroopaksham nirmalam vimalapradham,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 3





Vamadevam mahadevam lokanadham jagatgurum,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 4



Devadevam jagannatham devesam vrushabhadwajam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 5



Traiksham chathurbhujam santham jata makuta dharanam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 6




Bhasmoddulitha sarvangam nagabharana bhooshitham,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 7



Anatham avyayam santham akshamala dharam haram,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 8





Aaandham paramam nithyam kaivalya pada dhayinam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 9




Ardhanaareeswaram devam parvathy prana nayakam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 10

Pralaya sthithi karthaaram adhi kartharameeswaram,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 11



Vyomakesam viroopaksham chandrardha krutha shekaram,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 12


Gangadharam sasidharam sankaram shoolapaninam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 13


Swargapavarga datharam srushti sthithyanthakarinam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 14



Kalpa ayur dehi mey punyam yavad ayur arogatham,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 15


Shivesanam mahadevam vamadevam sadashivam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 16




Uthpathi sthithi samhara karthara meeswaram gurum,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 17



Markandeya krutham stotram ya padeth shiva sannidhou,
Thasya mruthyu bhayam nasthi na agni chora bhayaam kwachith. 18



Shathavrutham prakarthavyam sankate kashta nasanam,
Suchir bhoothwa padeth stotram sarva sidhi pradhayakam 19



Mruthyunjaya mahadeva thrahi maam saranagatham,
Janma mrutyu jara rogai, peeditham karma bandhanai. 20


Thaavaka stvad gatha prana thawa chithoham sada mruda,
Ithi vignapya devesam thryambakakhyam japeth,
Nama sivaya Sambaya haraye paramathmane,
Pranatha klesa naasaya yoginaam pathaye nama. 21-22


Trayambaka Mantra also known as Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a verse of the Yajurveda. It is in Rudram and it is as follows:
Tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushti-vardhanam |
Urvaarukam iva bandhanaan mrityor muksheeya maamritaat ||
[/TD]
[TD]Salutations to Lord Ganesa. I am chanting this “Maha mrutyunjaya mantra (Chant to win over death), which is composed by Sage Markandeya, in anushtup meter, with Mrutyunjaya as God, Gowri as the strength, with a view to win over death and getting of all sorts of wealth.



I meditate on that victor over death,
Who has moon, sun and fire as eyes,
Who has a smiling face,
Who sits on two lotus flowers,
Whose hands shine with the sign the rope,
The deer and the garland of rudraksha,
Who has the pleasant shine of the ice,
Who has a body drenched by nectar,
From billions of moons,
Who ornaments himself with several garlands,
Who is very handsome,
Who can attract the entire world,
And who is the lord of all beings.



What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is having a blue neck,
Who is the form of death,
Who knows paste, present and future,
And who destroyed the god of death.2



What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who has a blue neck,
Who has a different eye,
Who is clean,
And who is dazzlingly bright.3



What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who judges according to merit,
Who is the greatest god,
Who is the lord of the universe,
And who is the teacher of the world.4

What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is the God of gods,
Who is the lord of the earth,
Who is the god of devas,
And who has a bull flag.5



What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who has three eyes,
Who has four hands,
Who is peaceful,
And who wears matted hair and a crown.6

What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is covered with ash,
All over his body,
And who wears the serpent,
As an ornament.7


What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is limitless,
Who cannot be explained,
Who is peaceful,
Who is the killer,
And who wears the garland of eyes.8



What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is happiness,
Who is beyond thought,
Who is stable,
And who grants salvation.9


What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is the god half male half female,
And who is the darling of Parvathy.10



What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who creates the state of deluge,
And who is the god who made the beginning.11


What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Whose hair is the sky,
Who has a different eye,
And who has collected half of the moon.12


What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who carries the river ganga,
Who keep moon as an ornament,
Who is Lord Shankara,
And who carries a trident.13


What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that God,
Who grant heaven and salvation,
Who looks after creation, upkeep and destruction.14


What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who can grant a life of an eon,
Who can bless you with a long life,
Bereft of any sickness.15


What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is Shiva as well as Easwara,
Who is the great god,
Who gives correct judgments,
And who is always peaceful.16


What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who takes responsibility,
Of creation, upkeep and destruction,
And who is a great teacher.17



Any one reading this prayer,
Written by Markandeya,
In front of Lord Shiva,
Would not have,
Fear of death,
Nor fear of fire and thieves.18


Reading it one hundred times,
In times of misery,
Will get rid of it,
And reading it with a clean mind,
Would make one get all his wants.19




Oh great god, Who has won over god of death,
Please save me as I am submitting to you,
From births, deaths, old age and disease,
And also the ties of Karma which affect me.20



I appeal to the God that,
“My soul goes towards you,
And my mind always meditates on you,”
And then chant of Trayambaka Mantra*,
And salute that Samba,
Who is the inner soul of the destroyer,
And pray, ”destroy all life’s problems,
Oh Lord of Yoga, I salute you.”21-22.



We salute and respect,
Him who is naturally scented,
Him who looks after his devotees by mercy,
And Him who has three eyes.
And pray and request,
To move us away from the catch of death,
Like the cucumber from its stalk,
And firmly put us in the path of salvation.
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* Trayambaka Mantra also known as Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a verse of the Yajurveda. It is in Rudram and it is as follows:
Tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushti-vardhanam |
Urvaarukam iva bandhanaan mrityor muksheeya maamritaat ||

We salute and respect,
Him who is naturally scented,
Him who looks after his devotees by mercy,
And Him who has three eyes.
And pray and request,
To move us away from the catch of death,
Like the cucumber from its stalk,
And firmly put us in the path of salvation.
 
Dear Renuka,

I think even Gods and Goddesses have to be concerned about their beauty to get some attention. Nothing different even for the divine beings!

yes you are right!

Check out this drawing of Goddess Lakhsmi..she looks beautiful here and not like the homely images we usually see.
Aapno-Rajasthan-Goddess-Laxmi-Printed-Velvet-Cushion-Cover-CC1368.jpg
 
kali-2487.jpg




Aapno-Rajasthan-Goddess-Laxmi-Printed-Velvet-Cushion-Cover-CC1368.jpg








sarasvati.jpg



Where were all these artists?

If only artist of yesteryears had drawn Goddesses like these..It would have been so much nicer.
 

Dear Renu,

I thought we pray to God / Goddess to give us peace of mind!
Your view of Gods and Goddesses is totally different!! :decision:
Right from childhood I liked Vinayaka and even now I do all special prayers to Shakthi Vinayaka in our colony temple. :pray2:
 

Dear Renu,

I thought we pray to God / Goddess to give us peace of mind!
Your view of Gods and Goddesses is totally different!! :decision:
Right from childhood I liked Vinayaka and even now I do all special prayers to Shakthi Vinayaka in our colony temple. :pray2:

Dear RR ji,

I feel the visual delight aspect has been there ever since..cos most Sahasranamams are into praising the glory and beauty of the personal God.

If the visual delight factor was not there..would anyone in the right sense of mind pray to a God the looked like this?

predalien-6.jpg
 
Dear RR ji,

Since you like Vinayaka..so that means you too like the 'male' concept in God. Vinayaka is male after all.

I wonder who the male members in Forum feel more comfortable with..a male or female concept?
 
Dear Renuka,

I like both the male and the female aspects. If I want someone to see a truth directly I pray to the male aspect that let it happen, and if I want someone to see it after delusion or after some fun, I pray to the female aspect that let it happen.
 
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Dear Renuka,

I like both the male and the female aspects. If I want someone to see a truth directly I pray to the male aspect that let it happen, and if I want someone to see it after delusion or after some fun, I pray to the female aspect that let it happen.

Dear Sravna,

So male concept = truth

female concept =fun and delusion.

Aiyoo Sravna for fun and delusion we do not need God yaar..Weed/Marijuana will do! LOL

BTW I must tell you this..yesterday when I was teaching my son Sanskrit on Sunday afternoon I kept the lap top on cos I was also teaching him bhajans to sing along with what was stored in my lap top.

After teaching him I was reading Forum and he happened to see your pic from far and asked me 'Amma who is that? Shah Rukh Khan with glasses?"

So Sravna..my son thought your pic was a pic of SRK wearing glasses.
 
Dear Sravna,

So male concept = truth

female concept =fun and delusion.

Aiyoo Sravna for fun and delusion we do not need God yaar..Weed/Marijuana will do! LOL

BTW I must tell you this..yesterday when I was teaching my son Sanskrit on Sunday afternoon I kept the lap top on cos I was also teaching him bhajans to sing along with what was stored in my lap top.

After teaching him I was reading Forum and he happened to see your pic from far and asked me 'Amma who is that? Shah Rukh Khan with glasses?"

So Sravna..my son thought your pic was a pic of SRK wearing glasses.

Dear Renuka,

God knows poor humans need fun also. you cannot always be learning. btw SRK with glasses is a great compliment.
 
I saw this thread just now. It has some amazing photographs to watch.
As far as I am concerned, God cannot be termed either as male or female.
God is above all everything and the Supreme Power is beyond gender.
As regards Masculine concept, it is generally based on an assumption of gender
concepts as given in our Scriptures. To be precise, to make the devotees
to understand the divinity aspects rather than biological theories.
Further, it is based upon one's view assuming the God in the form of Male or
Female as described in our Puranas so as to make the devotee's concentration
on one particular dedicated view in place of preventing the loitering mind and
heart to asses the gender. Once a devotee is stable in his mind that his
concentration is on the Masculinity, then his mind's diversion is prevented
towards Feminity. Further, I can also put it here that it is only an attitudinal
view rather than physical presentation of the Supreme Power.



Balasubramanian
 
According to Hindu scriptures, Prakruti is inanimate matter and only "Purusha" or the male principle can infuse "life" into the inanimate matter. Hence, as far as Hinduism is concerned, the male god is superior to the female god.

All accounts about the omnipotence of the devi aspect came into hinduism only after the seepage of Tantra elements into the mainstream bhakti-oriented hinduism.

Hence, let us not unknowingly start parroting what modern feminists will like to hear and sing paeans to Ardhanareeswara and so on and so forth.
 
According to Hindu scriptures, Prakruti is inanimate matter and only "Purusha" or the male principle can infuse "life" into the inanimate matter. Hence, as far as Hinduism is concerned, the male god is superior to the female god.

All accounts about the omnipotence of the devi aspect came into hinduism only after the seepage of Tantra elements into the mainstream bhakti-oriented hinduism.

Hence, let us not unknowingly start parroting what modern feminists will like to hear and sing paeans to Ardhanareeswara and so on and so forth.

Dear Shri Sangomji,

I do not think so...Our Hindu scriptures have developed and matured over several thousand years and are still expanding...From being simple to more complex..The beauty is that we have not codified in a very strict manner..That we practice Devi worship in what ever form it is , is a wonderful concept in Hinduism...Why should we feel apologetic about it..Hinduism is evolving on a continual basis with inputs from saints and philosophers...It may further advance and unfold in new dimensions
 
According to Hindu scriptures, Prakruti is inanimate matter and only "Purusha" or the male principle can infuse "life" into the inanimate matter. Hence, as far as Hinduism is concerned, the male god is superior to the female god.

All accounts about the omnipotence of the devi aspect came into hinduism only after the seepage of Tantra elements into the mainstream bhakti-oriented hinduism.

Hence, let us not unknowingly start parroting what modern feminists will like to hear and sing paeans to Ardhanareeswara and so on and so forth.

Dear Sangom ji,

I was just going to type the question:

1)When did this Devi concept actually start?


Yes..the Purusha Prakirti concept is very much like the Male and Female reproduction at the zygote level where the Sperm swims "actively" to the "inert' Ovum.

So I guess Macrocosm mimics Microcosm and vice versa.

Anyway I have no problems even if God is actually Male!LOL
 
According to Hindu scriptures, Prakruti is inanimate matter and only "Purusha" or the male principle can infuse "life" into the inanimate matter. Hence, as far as Hinduism is concerned, the male god is superior to the female god.

All accounts about the omnipotence of the devi aspect came into hinduism only after the seepage of Tantra elements into the mainstream bhakti-oriented hinduism.

Hence, let us not unknowingly start parroting what modern feminists will like to hear and sing paeans to Ardhanareeswara and so on and so forth.

Dear Shri Sangom,

The male or the female is only the form. Something omnipotent can take any form and so this talk of male God being superior is not valid. It is only that we worship god in the form we prefer. Some may prefer Devi while others may prefer Vishnu. But it is the same being we are worshiping.
 
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