Welcome to Eternal Path! This week we feature reading highlights on: Madhvacharya’s commentary on the Mahabharata, recent attacks on temples in Bangladesh, and the symbolism of Lord Shiva as Nataraja, along with an aesthetic!
Reading Highlight: Mahabharata, Bangladesh Temple Attacks, the Symbolism of Nataraja
This first piece is an English translation of Shri Madhavacharya’s Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya - this is Madhvacharya’s commentary on the Mahabharata. Many of the greatest scholars have written commentaries on Hindu itihasa and Hindu smritis to guide folks toward a deeper understanding of the texts. For a refresher on Madhvacharya’s philosophy, read our Week 24 highlight on dvaita!
Unfortunately, another week, another string of attacks on Hindu Temples in Bangladesh. This time 14 temples in Northwest Bangladesh were attacked, with murtis desecrated, in what appeared to be a coordinated string of attacks. Friendly reminder that the Hindu population % has declined from 25% of Bangladesh in the 1970s to around 8% now, and that attacks on Hindus are routine there. Meanwhile Bangladeshi Muslim diaspora routinely gaslight Hindus, claiming Bangladesh is a secular country, and making false claims of “Muslim genocide in India”. Make sure to always call those hypocrites out.
With the celebration of Shivaratri that just occurred, here is an article from the always great Brhat on Lord Shiva as Nataraja, and its iconography and symbolism!