Author, Speaker, Illustrator, Mythologist

Shiva to Shankara

Sep 04, 2006 | Books.

Many modern scholars say Shiva’s linga is a phallic symbol. Most devotees disagree. Who is right? This book looks at the sexual metaphors associated with Shiva and uncovers the meaning beneath.In the process we discover how the symbol of Shiva is reflected in the story of Shiva’s marriage.

The question is: Why does the Goddess transform Shiva, the hermit, into Shankara, the householder? Is the story and symbol about divinity or about us? This book is the first of its kind to show the uncanny alignment between metaphysics, rituals, symbols and stories of Shiva.“Beyond the phallus is a secret idea that enriches the soul,” says the author.

Published by IndusSource

Price: Rs. 225/-

Indus Source Books
PO Box no 6194
Malabar Hill PO
Mumbai 400 006
India

Click here for an excerpt, reviews and other information.

Price: Rs. 206/-

To order call/sms 09650-457-457 or email: talk@dialabook.in


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  • komal

    i love ur articles in sunday mid day. i was kind of interested in knowing all ancient stories but ur articles are truly inspiring.

  • Shital.Basavaraj

    Satyam-Truth,Shivam-Death,Sundaram-Beautifing
    the Concept of mother feeding child saying eat your food before taken by else,
    and myth all fall in same platform as education,meaning they all signify the better rosey picture for society (AGYAKARE) so one would walk on a path of better ment of dharma (fear) keeping or following karma (fear) — to keep your thoughts( Satyam) while death (Shivam) not have any vichar dhara to repent before death and make it easy for you positivly (Sundaram) ————- so to have clear exit we have to carefully analyise the between journey (concret beetween bricks decides the life span of wall) I KNOW TRUTH IS DIFFICULT TO PUT IN WORDS AS IT MEANS DIFFERENT ALWAYS FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL.

    REGARDS WITH BOOK-ONE SHOULD UNDERSTAND NO ONE CHANGES ANYBODY-
    EARTH DOES NOT CHANGE SEED INTO PLANT/TREE ITS NATURE ( SEED DOES NOT SPROUT YOU SAY IT WAS NOT WORTH ,KNOW WE IGNORE THE ELEMENT EARTH WHO FAIL TO CONTRIBUTE) IT IS ONE STRANGE ENERGY WE CALL LIFE WHICH ALSO EXIST IN NONLIVING BEING (THERE IS NOTHING SUCH AS NONLIVING BEING AS EVERY THING HAS ITS OWN MAHATVA IMPORTANCE)
    SO WHAT IS IT,(BEYOND FAITH) AS IN KALYUG(MEANING PEOPLE WILL PLAY WITH YOUR FAITH/FEELING) ITS ? PERSONAL MEET WOULD REQUIRE AS EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS DIFFERENT MEANING FOR THERE OWN LIFE.
    I AM NOT A MOTIVATOR OR PANDIT I AM LIKE YOU AND KNOW OUR PROBLEM AND KIND OF SOLUTION AS I KNOW HOW A SMART SALES MAN WILL MISS GUIDE A CUSTOMER BY NOT TALKING ABOUT ISSUE BUT GIVING DIFFERENT SET OF AN EXAMPLES

  • Alankar

    Dear Devdutt, you have given a very interesting explanation of inclusion of Shiva as the ascetic, out-of-society God into the ritualistic Vedic fold as a process of assimilation between the nomadic, agriculturalist Aryans with the well settled, urban Dravidians. The time frame suggested is 1500BC until 100AD or so. You have based your analysis on the prevalent understanding of India history in which Vedic Aryans are supposed to have migrated into India from Central Asia, coinciding with the fall of the Indus civilization. However, there are equally if not more convincing arguments to the opposite – that Aryans actually were the native Indians who migrated to other lands well before the dawn of the Indus civilization and that Indus civilzation was actually Saraswati civilization which declined due to the river changing course and finally, disappearing. If this is true, then does your explanation of Shiva’s inclusion into the Vedic religious thought still hold? Regards, Alankar

    • http://realmsofuniverse.wordpress.com/ Anshul

      A study was conducted by CCMB scientists in collaboration with researchers at Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and proved that Aryans are infact the natives of India.

  • rude kid

    Sirji plz explain wat have you studied in life bcoz ur works are jus AMAZINNNG !!!

    If i recieve a reply to this comment even i might be able to give something that i have written.

    • Devdutt

      Thank you for your kind words

  • Ajay

    Namaste Devdutt babu,

    I have read this book only recently, though it was published few years back.

    You provide a novel way of story telling. However, i wish to ask one question: While writing this book, were you knowing Sanskrit or have you taken references of other authors? I do not mean in any offensive or demeaning way, but the thought appeared to me , hence the question.

    • http://enmanas.blogspot.com Rajiv

      Dear Dev,

      The question did come in my mind as well.., just ordered your book online. waiting to recieve and read it

      Hope to see a reply from you

      CR

  • Arun

    I recently read your Shiva to Shankara. My compliments to you first. I’ve a question in the book, you state after the failed effort to bear a child (Murugan), parvathi creates a child and that is Ganesha. This is in contrary to general belief that Ganesha is elder to Murugan. So would like to understand this better

    • Devdutt

      In South India, Ganesha is elder and in North India, Ganesha is younger

      • Arun

        Thanks, I never realised this

      • http://devdutt.com/shiva-to-shankara/ Hema

        Hi Devdutt,

        Is there is specific reason for nrth and south India to have 2 different beliefs on who is elder – Murugan or Ganesha?

  • Arun

    Another question, is Shiva to Shankara a subset of total assimilation of nature worship or pagan worship to idol worship. Mostly many tribes do use the symbols of genitals as a symbol of worship as they symbolise fertility and growth. Is Shiva a more acceptable bridge between nature worship to an accepted form of worship

    • Devdutt

      That is like saying Christians worship dead bodies and torture implements to understand life.

      • Arun

        Apologies maybe my question was not worded properly. My query was did the linga worship promoted to avoid providing facial features that would distinguish race and result in discrimination ?

        Was it neutral ground by providing a shape & character that gives shiva to be more like a common mans god unlike Vishnu as the elite god.

  • http://enmanas.blogspot.com Rajiv

    Loved your book! Only thing that bothered were some loose statements referring to the Puranas and Vedas without any actual reference to which part of the text. But then you are just trying to interpret the context so its alright…Wonderful book though.

    It certainly removed a lot of taboos and made the ‘phallic’ identification more ‘spiritual’ rather than anything to do with fertility. I will simply ask ppl to read this book if they want to know about the linga.

    One question I have for you is regards to Srishti. This is loosely translated as ‘creation’ by western scholars and you have also used it throughout this book. Isnt Srishti projection?

    • Devdutt

      It is anything but ‘creation’ as presented in the BIblical context

  • Pallathz

    I happen to come across 99 Thoughts on Ganesha while just going through few books randomly in a book stall & found it a very gud read.Bought it.Checked with the Supervisor if any other books by the Author.Got hold of Shiva to Shankara the same moment.It has definetly helped me in my understanding of the Philsophy.The Language used is very easy & makes an interesting read.I hope to read many such books on Gods,Cultures presented in simple & informative way for us to understand the rituals & tradition.

  • ASHISH JHA

    Dear Mr. Devdutt,

    First of all i would like to thank you for the wonderful book u have written (SHIVA TO SHANKARA).

    I have a doubt in this book, page no. 144, THE BLUE THROAT, 2nd para.

    It tells that demons were on the tail side of vasukinath while devas were on the head side.

    But i have read somewhere else that devas were on the tail side & demons were on the head side of Vasukinath. And as due to the friction of samudra manthan some kind of fire or poisonous gas was coming out of vasukinath’s mouth which burnt demons. And hence demons were dark in complexion.

    Please explain, It will be great to hear from you regarding this.

    • Devdutt

      That was an error…oops

      • http://devdutt.com Shilpa

        Hi Devdutt…I am reading your book The Pregnant King and its difficult to find time to sleep as I am too engrossed in your book…an amazingly gripping read.

        With reference to your above comment that there was an error in your book around the manthan…could you pls confirm if that has been rectified as I plan to buy that book.

        Appreciate your response.

        Regards..

  • Aparna

    Dear Devdutt,

    I really enjoy reading your books and the Tv Serial ‘Devon ka dev Mahadev’ complimented some of the facts of Lord Shiva. I have undergone a spiritual change after reading about Lord Shiva which i never experienced before. I adore and love our indian gods and goddesses. I have always been inquisite about the relationship of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva meditates on Vishnu and Vishnu meditates on Shiva. Can you please dedicate a book with more information and knowledge on them? I am so looking forward to know more about them. Please write a book on them.

    Thank You
    Aparna

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