I've just read two books on Siva. One recounted the mythology of Siva, written by a Western woman. Called, 'In The Presence Of Siva' and, the other, by an Indian, called 'The Concept of Rudra-Siva Through The Ages'. Both, excellent books but, both on a different trip, as it were. The first book recounted the myths and, has a sense of magic and mystery about it. You can, at times, almost feel the mystery of Siva. It's not a scholarly book, in the sense, that it does not delve into the writing and, the 'politics' behind the myths. It does not talk about, nor analyse the myths and, the socio-economic forces that would have shaped them. The second, does this but, robs the myths of their mystery.
From the second, you can, at times, see the priestly politics through the myths. For instance, when Kala Bhairave loped of one of the heads of Brahma, the skull stuck to his hand until he went to Varanasi where, he was freed from the sin of Brahmanicide. Clearly, a case of where temporal powers, including those of the Brahmans, are superior to the heavenly powers. No doubt about this.
And, there are the myths about how Siva gradually came to importance and, where there are some obvious politics behind the myths. The analyis is, I believe, a hypothesis, in many ways for, we could really not know the truth of those times.
After all, how much do we know of the truth of our own times? How much do we perceive reality? And, who's reality is the true reality?
Anyway, coming back to the myths. The analysis robs the myths of their mystery and, makes them seem rather crude. Which, maybe unfair because, there is also a lot of speculation about the philosophy and mystery of the universe, which can best be retold through a myth.
So, where does the truth lie? Somewhere in between, I suppose. We obviously need the analysis but, we also need the mystery and, the magic of the myths. Especially in these crazy times of ours.
Our philosophers of a few thousand years ago said that we are living in the Kali Yuga. Which, is true. The history of mankind is rife with murder, blood, deceit and, lies. There's much good, no doubt but, even history books teach us the dates of battles and conquests. Not the dates of discovery.
So, where does the truth lie?
Of course, the myths beg another question - Who created whom? Did God create man or, did Man create God?
But, more of that another time..