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Love: Stories in Pictures
Divine Couples in Vajrayana Buddhism
There are two schools in Buddhism: Mahayana and Theravada. The essence of Buddhism in Theravada school is the perfection of meditation through monastic life and the knowledge of the Pali canon. In Mahayana Buddhism, the perfection of meditation is achieved through self-discipline. There are many disciplines in Mahayana Buddhism, Vajrayana is one of them. The essence of Buddhism in Vajrayana discipline is tantric rituals.
There are numerous deities in Vajrayana Buddhism, worshiped in single form or couples like Vajradhar-Shakti and Chakrasamvara-Vajravarahi. In Vajrayana School, Vajradhar-Shakti and Chakrasamvara-Vajravarahi symbolize erotic sentiments.
Love in the Farm in Nepal
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Shiva Parvati
Radha-Krishna
The Legend of Shiva Parvati
Shiva, one of the Gods in Hindu Triad, is the God of death and destruction. But ironically, he is also remembered for his eternal love. According to the Shiva Puran, Hindu Scriptures dedicated to Shiva, Shiva was married to Sati Devi. One day when Sati Devi's father belittled Shiva, the Goddess was so much upset that she threw herself into the fire. She was dead but her body did not burn. Shiva, overcome with eternal sadness, carried his wife's body and traveled in the sky. Vishnu - another God in Hindu Trinity responsible for maintaining the world order - hurled his weapon that began to chop Sati Devi's parts. The organs fell on earth. The places where Sati Devi’s parts fell are revered by the Hindus in Nepal and India. By fragmenting Sati Devi’s body, Vishnu was able to mitigate Shiva’s sorrow.
When the body was gone, Shiva was pacified. He sat on penance. And then Sati Devi was born as Parvati. Since Sati Devi had incited sorrow in Shiva, he began to play games with Parvati. The legends of Shiva and Parvati are very popular in Nepal. It was in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, where Parvati sat on penance to have Shiva as her spouse and Shiva played games with her.
Another popular legend about divine love in Hinduism is the legend of Radha-Krishna. Lord Krishna did not marry his love interest Radha, however, Hindus always associate Radha with Krishna. In Hinduism, Radha is as much revered as Lord Krishna.
Love and marriage
Hindu calendar marks the auspicious days for wedding beginning from third week of November that ends in July. The rituals of Hindu marriage are said to be thousands of years old, as old as Veda. There is no general agreement about when the Vedas, the most sacred scriptures in Hinduism, were composed, but many believe that it was during the period of 1500–1200 BCE. Hindu Priests sing the verses from the Vedas while conducting marriage.
Hindu marriage is all about connecting two souls with God through body. Hindu mythologies brim with love, raising questions such as: Has anyone loved his wife more than Shiva, who carried Sati Devi's corpse for eons? Can you be more playful with your love-interest than Shiva with Parvati? Who loves his/her girlfriend/ boyfriend more than Radha and Krishna?
In the Mood for Love
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Love does not need language
Animals, of course, have language. Obviously not developed like ours, but it is enough to convey basic emotions such as love, hate, anger, jealousy, hunger. Their speech consists of different pattern of sounds. Like us, they love, betray, forget or hate their lovers. Like humans, animals do things to lure their love interests, and they fight for the sake of their lovers.
Based on my observations of animals’ behavioral patterns, I can say that love we receive from our animals is not less than that we receive from human beings. To be more precise, human love many times stems from their brain. They ruminate and weigh their heart, listen to their palpitation before they say: I love you. But animals don't have developed brain. They have heart and tender feelings seep through it.
Comments
Excellent illustration and fascinating pictures. Your hub will attract anyone who loves the topic. You are taking lot of efforts to make your hubs colorful as well wonderful. No doubt you lure visitors. Thank you for sharing a good knowledge here. Keep on. All the best.
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Hi Vellur,
Thanks for reading/viewing/commenting.
I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day
Cheers
A great write and wonderfully showcased. Voted up.
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Hi acaetnna, thanks for your visit and likes!
Have a wonderful day!
I loved it - thank you again.
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acaetnna, thanks for visiting this page.
Cheers
Wow - brilliant!
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Hello Christy,
thanks for stopping by and talking time to comment.
Regards
The line 'love does not need language' is great! So beautiful with the photos too.
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Dear Angel, you are a wonderful community member. Thanks for always supporting me.
this hub deserve umpteen visits because so many input you gave in here..
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Dear Angel,
You are blessing my evening with your wonderful comments on my hubs.
Cheers
Wow so beautiful photos here.. Photos alone can satisfy a reader .
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Dear lovedoc,
Thanks for coming back.
Cheers
Thank you for the honorable mention and for your support. much appreciated. Love Doc.
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I recommend these wonderful hub authors to the hub community.
http://hubpages.com/@lovedoctor926
Thank you very much for your wonderful comments.
Regards
I guess love knows no boundaries among cultures or species. Voting this Up and Beautiful.
i'm sorry i missed this. You 'enlighten' me, V! I'm feeling very meditative - having just gotten back from 90 minute silent hot yoga...Ohm..Denying sex is just...wrong - and no god who cares about his/her/it's followers - would insist on something so...inhuman. i like your way much better! lol
These are lovely paintings and images. While I was reading, I couldn't take my eyes off of them. My favorite ones are #1 and #2,in the mood for love. After reading this article, these are my observations. Strong values and traditions are important to the Hindu, which is why they value love and marriage. I really enjoyed reading the Legend of Shiva and becoming acquainted with Buddhism and tantric rituals.
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@Sannel
@Natashalh
Thank you for appreciating my works.
Cheers
Wow, really cool stuff. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. Voted beautiful and up.
What an interesting, beautiful and educational hub. . . but then again, all your hubs are interesting, beautiful and educational! Lol! However, I now found out you are also a talented painter. You never ceases to amaze me! I learn so much about your country through your hubs, and I thank you for that. Voted up and sharing!
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Hello Audrey, thanks for your sincere follow.
Cheers
not to repress sex but recognize it as an occasion of the greatest of human illumination.
Such an important distinction!
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Hello Sheila, you are the only one who clicks my link on RG.
Thank you very much
Oh - so amazing, Vinaya. Found this one on RedGage.
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Hello girltalksshop, thanks for your appreciation.
Awesome, I love the photos and depiction of culture. You are right, love needs no words...it speaks for itself. Great hub! : )
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MartieCoetser,
Thanks for your appreciation.
Regards
Interesting background and heart-touching message. And what a beautiful bride!
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Dear SpiritLeo
Thanks for stopping by.
Love is Life! Great post! Thank you for sharing!
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Epi, you are a wonderful man. Thanks for sharing and taking time to comment.
I'm listening to Amy Winehouse tonight.
22:26 PM, Kathmandu
...you will see this posted to my FACEBOOK page with a direct link back here ....thank you for this spiritual enlightenment and a hub presentation worthy of being framed in a museum ....... lake erie time ontario canada 1:24 am sending you good energy and positive thoughts and as I have often enjoyed what you are listening to:
my list tonight:
Cuban music
Leonard Cohen
The Gun Club
Dexter Gordon
The La's
Muddy Waters
The White Stripes
Herbie Mann
Enya
Django Reinhardt
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Hello lyns
Thanks for coming back
Happy Holidays!
Hi Vinaya Ghimire, I'm glad I could warm you up lol, I see it's not only cold here in the U.S., it is so cold and windy it's blowing over trees on cars. Happy Holidays
lyns
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Hello lyns,
thank you very much for your appreciative comment. Your warm words are warming me up in a cold morning in Kathmandu.
very interesting story, Thanks for sharing your country and pictures behind what they represent for each. I always said words are like a picture telling a story, you have done an excellent piece here in pictures and the story,especially like the animals and the love part of this story. thanks for sharing, voted up, interesting. lyns
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@Rosemary, perhaps your observation can be a poem or even story. Thanks for sharing this beautiful love story. Thanks for appreciating this hub.
@thelyricwriter, when you say 'you are growing with each one' I think you are right, because every day I get to read and hear from accomplished writers like you. Thank you very much.
Up, useful, and interesting votes Vinaya. Very interesting. Your articles are well written with quality information Vinaya. I see you growing with each one. Seems like I always learn something new from you. Love is funny sometimes, a boat load of feelings and emotions. Some animals are partners for life, imagine that. How they share their feelings toward one another, it really is crazy that they show their love in this manner. It was fun to read and learn this article Vinaya. Well done. Beautiful pics.
These are wonderful photos Vinaya, but then you always have interesting photos to show us. I love that you included animals.
I once had little male pony that fell in love with a big Clydesdale mare, he followed her like a shadow and it was so funny to watch his frustration when she came into season. Even when they were in separate padocks they would stand at the fence together and nuzzle.
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Ardie, I'm dying to see your dog wearing ballerina dress.
I think bribing will really be fruitful.
Sometimes the oddest pairings make wonderful couples, such as your parents cat and dog :D
Do you want my dog to wear a ballerina dress? He might do it if I bribe him with a treat!
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Dog and cat having tryst could be great idea, but I can let it go this time. (My father's dog (male) and mother's cat (female) were so much friendly that my parents thought they are not dog and cat)
Ardie, thank you very much for your offer. This year I'll be getting my first Christmas present. LOL
Well then Vinaya, I will take the pictures and send them to you! However, I will NOT be taking pictures of their trysts! ;)
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Dear Ardie, I need lots of money to come to your place to take pictures of your pets. LOL
Thank you very much for coming back.
Vinaya, that's so funny. I have a dog AND a cat who both love when I get out the camera. You can come take their pictures! But they tend to be a little hammy
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Sueswan, thanks for your sincere follow and appreciative feedback.
Beautiful!
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Dear jenubouka, thanks for your sincere follow and appreciative feedback.
Another great piece with a wonderful backstory and starred photo's.
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Eddy thanks for your visit and appreciative comment.
Very beautiful and I have to vote up up and away.
I wish you a wonderful day.
Take care.
Eddy.
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@Flora, I wanted to use my new painting but it did not reproduce well so I used the old one. You remember my painting and my old avatar, you are one of my loyal followers I'll ever have.
@Ardie, I always struggle to photograph birds and animals. They don't want to come into limelight. LOL
@always exploring, thank you, thank you very much.
You always bring interesting stories and pictures. I'm learning great history from you.Thank you..
I love love :) Its funny the chickens were having a tryst until you came along and ruined that for them!!! You and your camera tell quite a story
These are beautiful. I have seen your painting and the picture of what was briefly your avatar before. I love how you were able to get the chickens photographed before they hid.
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Hypenbird, I love Happuboomernurse's interpretation and I'm loving your interpretation regarding the painting. Yes, art is exactly that way. Thanks for leaving engaging comment.
This is a beautiful Hub. I saw the painting entirely different. Isn't art that way? I see the man leaning close for a sniff of her hair. He carries a secret love for her.
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@Dear Frank, I love adjectives. LOL Thank you very much
@Happyboomernurse, I loved your interpretation of my painting. Thanks for your appreciative comment.
Very interesting hub and I like that you included the animal kingdom in your stories and illustrations of love.
My favorite illustration was the "In the Mood for Love" painting done by you! The man's eye is wandering even as he holds a different woman close. That painting says quite a story.
Voted up.
Words I'll choose for this hub: Very artful, delicate, sweet, and natural thumbs up my friend
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