Apsara Reddy Sp-TOI-ST-08032019
Namaste. With this simple gesture, folded hands and head bowed towards each other’s true nature, you recognise and celebrate the soul in another. And honour the place in the other that exists within us, thereby recognising value in diversity and synergy in difference.
In Hindu philosophy, the soul is interpreted as being without gender. The reason being that the soul is eternal and exists beyond the realm of human form. The soul, therefore, keeps evolving by taking either the masculine or feminine human form. And at times, it manifests as a combination of the two energies. This philosophy envelops my life, especially as a transgender woman.
In the present world, with the political climate being charged and the narrative being extremely male-oriented with little or no focus on women, sustenance of the woman’s movement becomes very challenging. Far too often, we hear sexist, crude and insensitive barbs being hurled at women. Shiva, the icon of masculinity, blended his identity so seamlessly with the sensibilities of the feminine, when he reveals himself to be half-man, half-woman, as Ardhanarishvara. Here, the masculine and feminine principles are inseparable. In fact, the female form is Shakti, the active force and the male form is Purusha, passive energy.
In ancient Chinese philosophy, the concept of entwined dual energy, called Yin and Yang, reflects how seemingly contrarian forces are actually complementary, interdependent, even symbiotic, in the natural world, wherein these forces rise up to each other while sustaining each other’s energies. Yin and Yang find their parallel in the coexistence of Shiva and Shakti or Parvati, Prakriti and Purusha.
With increasing number of incidents of violence against women and the girl child, it is rather disconcerting that we have scant respect for the ideology of man and woman rising above carnal instincts and serving as a symbol of hospitality and parenthood. Transgender women should be accorded the dignity of Ardhanarishvara and valued for their skills and talents. Ridicule should be replaced with respect as we endeavour to progress towards a more harmonious society.
In a pantheon of over 33 million Hindu gods, the union of Shiva and Shakti signify the tallest and mightiest of energies because of the perfect fusion of male and female energy in equal strength.
Shiva and Shakti, as Ardhanarishvara, represent the attributes of both male and female energies in such an exquisite union that it is a force to reckon with, embodying the very act of creation itself; each one wielding limitless powers while working for the benefit of the Universe.
The western world recognises this dual energy today, as ‘transgender’. Since ancient times, in Indic temple art and sculpture, the Ardhanarishvara (transgender) motif makes its unique presence felt in myriad ways, its majestic image infusing the stone or wall art with its quiet strength as the confluence of male energy complemented and channelised to the maximum by the softer female energy.
Achieving the right to legal gender recognition is crucial to the ability of trans-people to leave behind a life of marginalisation and enjoy a life of dignity. For this, all religiously charged leaders need to hark back to our scriptures and read up on Shiva and Shakti, and the significance of their manifestation as Ardhanarishvara.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India, Speaking Tree, 8th March, 2019
Apsara Reddy Sp-TOI-ST-08032019
Namaste. With this simple gesture, folded hands and head bowed towards each other’s true nature, you recognise and celebrate the soul in another. And honour the place in the other that exists within us, thereby recognising value in diversity and synergy in difference.
In Hindu philosophy, the soul is interpreted as being without gender. The reason being that the soul is eternal and exists beyond the realm of human form. The soul, therefore, keeps evolving by taking either the masculine or feminine human form. And at times, it manifests as a combination of the two energies. This philosophy envelops my life, especially as a transgender woman.
In the present world, with the political climate being charged and the narrative being extremely male-oriented with little or no focus on women, sustenance of the woman’s movement becomes very challenging. Far too often, we hear sexist, crude and insensitive barbs being hurled at women. Shiva, the icon of masculinity, blended his identity so seamlessly with the sensibilities of the feminine, when he reveals himself to be half-man, half-woman, as Ardhanarishvara. Here, the masculine and feminine principles are inseparable. In fact, the female form is Shakti, the active force and the male form is Purusha, passive energy.
In ancient Chinese philosophy, the concept of entwined dual energy, called Yin and Yang, reflects how seemingly contrarian forces are actually complementary, interdependent, even symbiotic, in the natural world, wherein these forces rise up to each other while sustaining each other’s energies. Yin and Yang find their parallel in the coexistence of Shiva and Shakti or Parvati, Prakriti and Purusha.
With increasing number of incidents of violence against women and the girl child, it is rather disconcerting that we have scant respect for the ideology of man and woman rising above carnal instincts and serving as a symbol of hospitality and parenthood. Transgender women should be accorded the dignity of Ardhanarishvara and valued for their skills and talents. Ridicule should be replaced with respect as we endeavour to progress towards a more harmonious society.
In a pantheon of over 33 million Hindu gods, the union of Shiva and Shakti signify the tallest and mightiest of energies because of the perfect fusion of male and female energy in equal strength.
Shiva and Shakti, as Ardhanarishvara, represent the attributes of both male and female energies in such an exquisite union that it is a force to reckon with, embodying the very act of creation itself; each one wielding limitless powers while working for the benefit of the Universe.
The western world recognises this dual energy today, as ‘transgender’. Since ancient times, in Indic temple art and sculpture, the Ardhanarishvara (transgender) motif makes its unique presence felt in myriad ways, its majestic image infusing the stone or wall art with its quiet strength as the confluence of male energy complemented and channelised to the maximum by the softer female energy.
Achieving the right to legal gender recognition is crucial to the ability of trans-people to leave behind a life of marginalisation and enjoy a life of dignity. For this, all religiously charged leaders need to hark back to our scriptures and read up on Shiva and Shakti, and the significance of their manifestation as Ardhanarishvara.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India, Speaking Tree, 8th March, 2019