AboutWilliam Schindler, a.k.a. Brother William Expertise I can answer questions about Vedanta philosophy, Patanjali Yoga philosophy and practice, Tantra, Bhagavad-Gita, Upanishads, Vivekachudamani (Shankara`s Crest-jewel of Spritual Discrimination), Advaita (non-dualism), the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda tradition, Goddess worship, meditation practice, Hindu monasticism (sannyasa), and Sanskrit.
Experience I've been studying and practicing Vedanta and Tantra since 1969.
Organizations I'm the founder and spiritual director of Ashram West, a gay spiritual community based on traditional Hindu Tantra. I have been a member of the Vedanta Society of Southern California since 1969.
Publications I have three books in print: GAY TANTRA, ESSAYS ON GAY TANTRA, BLOOD OF THE GODDESS.
Education/Credentials I hold a B.A. in Sanskrit (UC Berkeley 1975) and an M.A. in clinical psychology (Antioch University 1986).
Question hi,
i wanted to know, if u can tell me that why is Peacock's feathers only shown on lord krishna's forehead and not on Ram's or Shankar's forehead,
as is known that peacock is by birth the purest of all living species...
thank you.
Answer Dear Tarun,
Thank you for your question.
Each Hindu deity or Incarnation of God has his or her own distinctive iconography, usually expressing some aspect of the special nature of that deity.
Sri Krishna wears a peacock feather that reminds us of his play with the gopas and gopis of Sri Vrindavana. The male peacock especially has long been a symbol of romantic love, and the rasalila episode of Sri Krishna's life teaches us how this kind of love may be directed to God.
Shiva wears a crescent moon on his head along with the river Ganga. Shiva is the Lord of Ascetics who saved the world from destruction by catching the Ganga in his matted hair when she descended to earth. He is the friend of those whom others avoid, and his symbols reflect his nature as embracing the dark side of life along with the light.
Rama is the most human of the Incarnations, and his symbols include the bow and arrow with which he protects dharma.
Although all these deities are manifestations of the One Source, each expresses a different aspect of the Divine, revealing several of the infinite varieties in the Divine Being.
