Love: Stories in Pictures

80

By Vinaya Ghimire

Vajradhar Shakti

A Divine Couple in Vajrayana Buddhism by unknown artist, photographed by Vinaya Ghimire. A traditional painting called Thanka in Tibetan language and Pauva in Nepali language.
See all 9 photos
A Divine Couple in Vajrayana Buddhism by unknown artist, photographed by Vinaya Ghimire. A traditional painting called Thanka in Tibetan language and Pauva in Nepali language.
Source: Vinaya Ghimire


Vajradhar Shakti: A Divine Couple in Vajrayana Buddhism

Vajrayana Buddhism emphasize on tantric rituals, which is kept alive by Tibetan people. And today Vajrayana discipline is known as Tibetan Buddhism. There are numerous deities in Vajrayana Buddhism, worshipped in single form or couples like Vajradhar and Shakti. The Divine Couple in Vajrayana symbolizes erotic sentiments.

Ritual practice is emphasized in Vajrayana Buddhism for the perfection of meditation. Eternal Delight is the most excellent way of the Vajrayana discipline. Eternal Delight is concealed to ignorant, only the adepts have access on it. This path is an attempt to sublimate the physical sex impulse into something spiritual – not to repress sex but recognize it as an occasion of the greatest of human illumination.

In the Mood for Love by Vinaya Ghimire
In the Mood for Love by Vinaya Ghimire
Source: Vinaya Ghimire

Shiva Parvati

Shiva and Parvati: Contemporary lithograph photographed by Vinaya Ghimire
Shiva and Parvati: Contemporary lithograph photographed by Vinaya Ghimire
Source: Vinaya

The Legend of Shiva Parvati

Shiva, one of the Gods in Hindu Triad, is the God of death, destruction and deluge. But ironically he is also remembered for his eternal love and lust. 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 angered 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 Triad is God of sustenance - in order to mitigate Shiva’s sorrow, 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 Hindus in Nepal and India.

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 stories of Shiva and Parvati are very popular in Nepal. It was in Kathmandu where Parvati sat on penance to have Shiva as her spouse and Shiva played games with her.

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. Priest while conducting marriage still sings the verses from the Vedas.

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?

Just married: The groom tries to arrange his bride’s headscarf
Just married: The groom tries to arrange his bride’s headscarf
Source: Vinaya
Love and marriage: A newly married couple finds a moment of privacy during their honeymoon.
Love and marriage: A newly married couple finds a moment of privacy during their honeymoon.
Source: Vinaya
These fowls were having a tryst. They were little wary when they spotted me. As I began to set my camera, the hen scampered (women too, are secretive about their affairs).
These fowls were having a tryst. They were little wary when they spotted me. As I began to set my camera, the hen scampered (women too, are secretive about their affairs).
Source: Vinaya


Love does not need language

Animals of course have language. Their speech consists of different pattern of sounds. Like us, they love and also betray, forget and hate their lovers.

But my observations of animals’ behavioral patterns 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.

This young couple of fowls was hatched from the eggs of the same mother. They were very possessive about their partners until one day a jackal preyed the hen and the rooster became alone. Couple of days later he found another partner.
This young couple of fowls was hatched from the eggs of the same mother. They were very possessive about their partners until one day a jackal preyed the hen and the rooster became alone. Couple of days later he found another partner.
Source: Vinaya
No time for love: A couple working in the farm yard.
No time for love: A couple working in the farm yard.
Source: Vinaya
No time for love: A couple is busy harvesting rice in rural Nepal
No time for love: A couple is busy harvesting rice in rural Nepal
Source: Vinaya

Comments

Frank Atanacio profile image

Frank Atanacio Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

Words I'll choose for this hub: Very artful, delicate, sweet, and natural thumbs up my friend

Happyboomernurse profile image

Happyboomernurse Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

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.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

@Dear Frank, I love adjectives. LOL Thank you very much

@Happyboomernurse, I loved your interpretation of my painting. Thanks for your appreciative comment.

Hyphenbird profile image

Hyphenbird Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

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.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

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.

FloraBreenRobison profile image

FloraBreenRobison 5 months ago

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.

Ardie profile image

Ardie Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

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

always exploring profile image

always exploring Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

You always bring interesting stories and pictures. I'm learning great history from you.Thank you..

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

@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.

Eiddwen profile image

Eiddwen 5 months ago

Very beautiful and I have to vote up up and away.

I wish you a wonderful day.

Take care.

Eddy.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

Eddy thanks for your visit and appreciative comment.

jenubouka profile image

jenubouka Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

Another great piece with a wonderful back story and starred photo's.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

Dear jenubouka, thanks for your sincere follow and appreciative feedback.

Sueswan profile image

Sueswan Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

Beautiful!

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

Sueswan, thanks for your sincere follow and appreciative feedback.

Ardie profile image

Ardie Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

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

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

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.

Ardie profile image

Ardie Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

Well then Vinaya, I will take the pictures and send them to you! However, I will NOT be taking pictures of their trysts! ;)

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

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

Ardie profile image

Ardie Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

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!

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

Ardie, I'm dying to see your dog wearing ballerina dress.

I think bribing will really be fruitful.

Rosemay50 profile image

Rosemay50 Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

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.

thelyricwriter profile image

thelyricwriter Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago

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.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

@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.

lyns profile image

lyns 5 months ago

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

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

Hello lyns,

thank you very much for your appreciative comment. Your warm words are warming me up in a cold morning in Kathmandu.

lyns profile image

lyns 5 months ago

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

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

Hello lyns

Thanks for coming back

Happy Holidays!

epigramman profile image

epigramman 5 months ago

...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

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

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

SpiritLeo profile image

SpiritLeo Level 1 Commenter 5 months ago

Love is Life! Great post! Thank you for sharing!

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 5 months ago

Dear SpiritLeo

Thanks for stopping by.

MartieCoetser profile image

MartieCoetser Level 8 Commenter 4 months ago

Interesting background and heart-touching message. And what a beautiful bride!

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 4 months ago

MartieCoetser,

Thanks for your appreciation.

Regards

girltalksshop profile image

girltalksshop Level 6 Commenter 4 months ago

Awesome, I love the photos and depiction of culture. You are right, love needs no words...it speaks for itself. Great hub! : )

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 4 months ago

Hello girltalksshop, thanks for your appreciation.

sheilanewton profile image

sheilanewton Level 4 Commenter 3 months ago

Oh - so amazing, Vinaya. Found this one on RedGage.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 3 months ago

Hello Sheila, you are the only one who clicks my link on RG.

Thank you very much

AudreyHowitt profile image

AudreyHowitt Level 7 Commenter 2 months ago

not to repress sex but recognize it as an occasion of the greatest of human illumination.

Such an important distinction!

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 2 months ago

Hello Audrey, thanks for your sincere follow.

Cheers

SanneL profile image

SanneL Level 7 Commenter 2 months ago

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!

Natashalh profile image

Natashalh Level 6 Commenter 2 months ago

Wow, really cool stuff. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. Voted beautiful and up.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 2 months ago

@Sannel

@Natashalh

Thank you for appreciating my works.

Cheers

lovedoctor926 profile image

lovedoctor926 Level 3 Commenter 5 weeks ago

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.

ImKarn23 profile image

ImKarn23 Level 6 Commenter 5 weeks ago

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

alocsin profile image

alocsin Level 8 Commenter 5 weeks ago

I guess love knows no boundaries among cultures or species. Voting this Up and Beautiful.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 4 weeks ago

I recommend these wonderful hub authors to the hub community.

http://lovedoctor926.hubpages.com/

http://imkarn23.hubpages.com/

http://alocsin.hubpages.com/

Thank you very much for your wonderful comments.

Regards

lovedoctor926 profile image

lovedoctor926 Level 3 Commenter 4 weeks ago

Thank you for the honorable mention and for your support. much appreciated. Love Doc.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 4 weeks ago

Dear lovedoc,

Thanks for coming back.

Cheers

Angelme566 profile image

Angelme566 4 weeks ago

Wow so beautiful photos here.. Photos alone can satisfy a reader .

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 4 weeks ago

Dear Angel,

You are blessing my evening with your wonderful comments on my hubs.

Cheers

Angelme566 profile image

Angelme566 3 weeks ago

this hub deserve umpteen visits because so many input you gave in here..

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 3 weeks ago

Dear Angel, you are a wonderful community member. Thanks for always supporting me.

ChristyWrites profile image

ChristyWrites Level 6 Commenter 2 weeks ago

The line 'love does not need language' is great! So beautiful with the photos too.

Vinaya Ghimire profile image

Vinaya Ghimire Hub Author 2 weeks ago

Hello Christy,

thanks for stopping by and talking time to comment.

Regards

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