Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Mythology, Hinduism, Religion, Philosophy, Spirituality, Non-Fiction.

Book Review:
In ''Shiva to Shankara,'' Devdutt Pattanaik, India's celebrated mythologist, tackles one of the most misunderstood and debated symbols in Hindu spirituality: the Shiva linga. With his characteristic blend of scholarship, wit, and accessibility, Pattanaik explores the layers of meaning embedded in this ancient icon, seeking to bridge the gap between literal and purely spiritual interpretations.

The book is framed as a response to the extreme views that dominate contemporary discourse. On one side are those who see the linga solely as a phallus, reducing it to a sign of sexuality. On the other are those who, in an attempt to sanitize it, deny any connection to the physical, stripping it of its symbolic depth. Pattanaik argues that both approaches miss the point. A symbol, he explains, holds multiple meanings; it is a container for ideas, not a fixed sign.

Through a series of insightful essays, Pattanaik guides the reader through the mythology, philosophy, and ritual surrounding Shiva. He explores how the Goddess (Shakti) plays a crucial role in transforming Shiva, the wild, ascetic hermit, into Shankara, the benevolent householder and husband. The linga, he suggests, represents this union, this creative tension between the formless and the formed, the ascetic and the erotic, the solitary and the domestic.

''Shiva to Shankara'' is a thought-provoking and illuminating read. It is not a dry academic text, but a lively and engaging exploration of myth and meaning. Pattanaik's writing is clear, his arguments are compelling, and his passion for his subject is evident. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Shiva, his symbols, and his enduring relevance, this book is an excellent and rewarding place to start.