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ardhnarishvara
November 2009 
What--me Valentine?
Posted on Feb 12th, 2009
by 
Meenakshi
Meenakshi
Valentine's Day. It's not something I grew up with. Yet I think I had one of the most romantic relationships one can have, with the man I later married!
It was not a day that was celebrated in the India of my youth; and yet now, it has become something that "everyone" talks about.
A slight correction: in one of our stories growing up, this bookworm read about St. Valentine and how his day is celebrated as Valentine's day "in the west." So it was not something unknown.The whole concept seemed foreign, a little distant to a child, and then interesting as I grew into the romantic years. But still, it is only recently that Valentine's Day has become a big thing in India.
It was not a day that was celebrated in the India of my youth; and yet now, it has become something that "everyone" talks about.
A slight correction: in one of our stories growing up, this bookworm read about St. Valentine and how his day is celebrated as Valentine's day "in the west." So it was not something unknown.The whole concept seemed foreign, a little distant to a child, and then interesting as I grew into the romantic years. But still, it is only recently that Valentine's Day has become a big thing in India.
Meanwhile, I've moved westward, and have not quite got into finding the day as important as friends, colleagues and the media make it out to be. Some hyears, we'll get into the frenetic pace of finding that perfect 
or gift for each other. Sometimes it seems we expect it; at other times, it's the kids or friends or...it's just in the air, and it seems almost Scrooge-like to withstand the pressure of the day. As the kids are growing and showing us that it's about love in general--not "just" romantic love. Or rather, about gifting to those you love: friends, parents, teachers...
or gift for each other. Sometimes it seems we expect it; at other times, it's the kids or friends or...it's just in the air, and it seems almost Scrooge-like to withstand the pressure of the day. As the kids are growing and showing us that it's about love in general--not "just" romantic love. Or rather, about gifting to those you love: friends, parents, teachers...But frankly, the day doesn't matter to me one way or the other. Love and expressing it should be a daily event. And yet, strangely, it isn't. Strange, because I come from a land where every popular Hindi ["Bollywood" ] movie is about romance and love; where even spiritual songs are of love --signifying the yearning of the soul for union with the God-source. Where Gods express love as an integral part of their being, and the female and male aspect of God becomes one.
Radha-Krishna, often written as one word, is the love of a mortal woman for an immortal God; it is a kind of love that is beyond societal norms, and so divinely beautiful. Perhaps even above aspiration. Yet the joy and play of it are infectious!
The immortal bhajans of Meerabai, full of yearning for the God Krishna, remained acceptable even as the "educated" Indian /Hindus middle class learned to become somewhat-puritanical from Muslim and then British rulers, leaving behind the natural ways their forefathers responded to love in all its aspects.
Ardha-narishvara : Male-Female God http://www.thebodhitreeonline.
Radha-Krishna, often written as one word, is the love of a mortal woman for an immortal God; it is a kind of love that is beyond societal norms, and so divinely beautiful. Perhaps even above aspiration. Yet the joy and play of it are infectious!
Radha-Krishna Source
MEERA - Mere to Giridhar Gopal - Hema Malini Vani Jairam
There are so many paradoxical influences:
Gods and goddesses with undisguised love and passion that bring out nothing but piety.
.
...the disconnects among all those influences and the largely traditional non-romantic arranged marriages...it's all rather strange!
Something had to give. And I think that Archies did that. They sell greeting cards; and suddenly Valentine's day became all the rage. I wondered how they look at Valentine's day in India. I've heard of protests by fundamental Hindu groups [what an oxymoron!] against the "immoral" Valentine's Day. Fortunately, there's more to it than commerce and craziness.
Googling the web, I found that the creative spirit in India is alive and well. Now, instead of fighting foolish authoritarian procedures by throwing stuff, they have decided to drown them with love!
. Shiva-Parvati when not in ardhangini mode
http://www.4to40.com/images/festivals/Maha_shivaratri/lord_shiva_and_parvati.jpg
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Legendary stories of love and romance from the Muslim era...http://www.4to40.com/images/festivals/Maha_shivaratri/lord_shiva_and_parvati.jpg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laila Majnu
...the disconnects among all those influences and the largely traditional non-romantic arranged marriages...it's all rather strange!
Something had to give. And I think that Archies did that. They sell greeting cards; and suddenly Valentine's day became all the rage. I wondered how they look at Valentine's day in India. I've heard of protests by fundamental Hindu groups [what an oxymoron!] against the "immoral" Valentine's Day. Fortunately, there's more to it than commerce and craziness.
Googling the web, I found that the creative spirit in India is alive and well. Now, instead of fighting foolish authoritarian procedures by throwing stuff, they have decided to drown them with love!
Me, I look at the gods, and marvel at the serenity of their loving passion.
Lakshmi-Vishnu
Or perhaps... I'll just go frolic in the park. The Valentine spirit is catching me after all!
valentines Greetings
Access: PublicTagged with: valentine, god, bolllywood, romance, love, radhakrishna, shiva parvati, vishnu lakshmi, ardhnarishvara, meera
Great timely blog with fantastic pictures.I was just about 18 yrs old when my 1st cupid card arrived from USA from the person who subsequently became my husband.I can still see the card and recapture what it said and meant.
Enjoy,Frolic is good for the spirit.
roamer.
Wow Roamer, where have you been hiding on Gaia? I’m so glad you roamed over to here and left a mark; as I have now got to meet you. Wonderful!
It came to me today that it’s about loving your self. And I am tickled at the way the pictures proceed in that way: first, the man-woman being; then the outer face of the man-woman being frolicking in the dense material world. Seeing flashes of the godly in the moments of love and loving.
Finally I hope we see ourselves and realize that by expressing love we are seeking to come together again….OK, off to frolic.
This is such a beautiful blog. Its wonderful to hear about how different customs are from the East meets West. I can only imagine the viewpoint of coming to the USA and seeing this one day a year love … yet why not? Celebrate love daily and splurge on creating with our loved ones something new again and again keeping it like the fresh flowers. Love to you and your family for setting a stellar example.
Meenakshi,
I enjoyed the video very much. It has ever caught my attention - the focus on love and passion within the images from the Indian sacred traditions.
Paradox is a part of the human condition, no denying that. We have our own version in the US, of puritanical inclinations among those having large families of children, among other examples.
Much love to you every day for being who you are -
Deb
Thank you Kathy and Deb! I agree, feel love every day [as you also wrote elsewhere, Deb] and why not specially enjoy it on one day/
And now I’m all enthused about the dawning of the age of Aquarius.
ah, I hear you about about gifts and flowers, that’s never been the point of it for me. it’s all about love - and those cinnamon hearts that appear in the grocery store only a few weeks a year! LOL!
Cinnamon hearts! Must check that out! Thanks Nicole.
Loved the video… The women in Indian movies or videos are so beautiful and so feminine… I always wished to go and visit India, and probably one day I will have a chance to… Wonderful blog my friend… Happy Love Day…
Thank you for the glimpse into other ways to regard this day and its phenomena!
I’m all for broadening it out to Love Day, love of ALL kinds!!
Next to Thanksgiving, it would be my favorite holiday ! (Though the natural ones are my top favorites, the solstices and equinoxes.)
So, let’s celebrate LOVE !!! And the more we do that each day, the better world it’ll be….
Love, OM Bastet
I’m with you both, dear Asteri and OM. Confusions vanish in the light of love!
Er— sweets anyone?
Hey Meenakshi! I am always amazed at the way you understand concepts with such depth! Except for Hanumanji, all our Gods are married and in love with their spouses! Parvatiji wooed Shivji! Seetaji chose Shri Ram at her swamvara, and the divine love of Radha Krishna is everywhere…Jai ho!
Love your images
Hawkeye, thanks for visiting. Seeing your comment helped me to see that Kyo/Seema had visited here too! yes, our Gods are all male-female pairs, aren't they? I love that about them. So balanced.