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Anthropomorphism

Example of Anthropomorphism

Imposing human qualities on their favorite deities is common among all religions, and especially among Hindus. Known as anthromorphism (dictionary link), it is seeing and believing of God in many a human form; as a friend, preceptor, father and mother. 

There are many Subhashitas in Hinduism, describing how the Gods put up with miseries of human condition, and even making jest of them. A poet who must have spent a sleepless night on account of bedbugs has these lines to utter:

Why Gods Don't Live on Earth!

Kamala (Goddess Lakshmi) sleeps in the lotus,
Hara (Lord Shiva) sleeps in Himalayas, and
Hari (Lord Vishnu)  sleeps in ocean of milk
I swear, because of bedbugs!

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Jyotsna Kamat

Jyotsna Kamat Ph.D. lives in Bangalore.


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