Maelyn Eversole: Outside reading #3: Shiva and the Sacrifice- Hinduism
This Hindu mythological story is about the origin of diseases. Considering our current circumstances with the COVID-19 virus I think that this origin story adds an interesting take to the subject. In the story Daksha (the father in law of Shiva, the avenging and destroying god) held a ceremonial sacrifice of horses. He invited all of the gods except for one, which was Shiva. This absolutely enraged Shiva and during her temper tantrum a drop of her sweat and blood hit the earth and released a terrifying monster. This monster was known as a disease. Brahma (the creator god) promised Shiva that he/she would be invited to all further sacrifices if she would undo the monster that she created. This appeased Shiva and so she turned disease into micro figures that would only trouble humans, plants, and animals. I think that this origin story is very interesting and a peculiar take. When we think of higher beings, such as gods, we often only see them as capable of creating all that is beautiful in the world. However, this is certainly not correct. If a divine being were to have created everything on earth, then they would have had to create all of the despicable parts of earth as well.
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