Introduction
In an increasingly polarized world, debates around gender often spill over into spheres of spirituality and religion, sometimes distorting their essence. A recurring misconception is the attempt to analyse spiritual symbols and practices through the lens of contemporary gender politics.
Recently, I came across an article by Narayani Ganesh, “Atman Has no Gender. Let’s Dismantle Patriarchy.” She critiques the perceived patriarchal bias in religious practices and scriptures. While these are significant societal issues, it’s essential to recognize that true spiritual teachings, including the widely accepted manifestation of the Shiva, already transcend gender distinctions.
There is no debate about the ‘Atman’, or soul. It is fundamentally perceived to be gender-neutral and eternal, embodying the essence of equality and unity of all living creatures.
The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 5, Verse 18) says:
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि।
शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः॥॥
“Vidya-vinaya-sampanne brahmane gavi hastini, shuni chaiva shva-pake cha panditah sama-darshinah.”
The wise (panditas) perceive with equal vision (‘samadarshinah’) a learned and humble Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and even a dog-eater (outcaste). This verse emphasizes equanimity and universal equality, teaching that a person endowed with true wisdom sees the divine essence in all living beings, regardless of their external differences.
From this verse, it is evident that a wise person perceives all beings—whether man, woman, animal, or outcaste—as equal manifestations of the divine. Gender, like caste or species, is merely a superficial distinction arising from skewed societal norms. It holds no significance in the broader spiritual journey, which, in Hinduism, transcends such constructs to embrace the universal essence of equality and unity.
Misinterpretations (or misunderstandings?) of spiritual texts have unfortunately led to the belief that these teachings support patriarchal norms. However, when we delve deeper into the core messages of these scriptures, we find that they advocate for balance and harmony between all beings, regardless of gender.
As we explore this topic, let us focus on preserving the purity of spirituality by separating it from societal biases and understanding its true, egalitarian essence. In this blog, we shall attempt to delve into this aspect. Ancient Hindu scriptures and symbols like the Shivlinga beautifully embody this idea of oneness, offering profound lessons that go beyond physical and societal definitions of gender.
The Symbolism of Shivlinga
The Shivlinga, often misunderstood and misrepresented, is one of the most potent examples of non-duality in Hindu spirituality. It is not a representation of male anatomy, as is widely perceived; it is a cosmic symbol of creation and balance. It consists of two components:
- The Lingam (vertical structure): Represents Shiva, the formless, unchanging, and absolute consciousness.
- The Yoni (circular base): Represents Shakti, the dynamic, creative energy of the universe.
The word Shiva is said to be derived from two components: ‘Shav,’ meaning the lifeless body, symbolizing the male principle, and ‘Iv,’ representing the female cosmic energy. Together, they signify the cosmic synchronization of male and female energies, a union that is fundamental to forming the Shivlinga, the sacred representation of the world’s creator that we revere in Hinduism.
The above practice, emphasizing balance and harmony, has been followed for ages. Where, then, is the so-called ‘bias towards the male being’ in this profound philosophy? It is a celebration of equality and unity, not domination or exclusion. Together, the Shivalinga symbolizes the union of Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (nature), the masculine and feminine principles that together sustain the cosmos. This union transcends biological or societal notions of male and female, emphasizing balance, interdependence, and the cyclical nature of creation.
Hindu Scriptures on Gender and Spirituality
- Ardhanarishvara Like the Shivlinga, another depiction of Lord Shiva as the Ardhanarishvara, where one half is Shiva and the other half is Shakti, powerfully communicates that the masculine and feminine energies are not separate but complementary. This striking visual challenges societal norms by presenting a deity that transcends traditional gender distinctions, urging us to recognize the integration and harmony of opposites as fundamental to existence. This dual form signifies the balance that sustains existence and illustrates that gender distinctions dissolve at the spiritual level.
- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (4.3.22) beautifully describes the nature of the Atman (Self) as being beyond all dualities, including gender:
स यो’यमात्मा नारी वा पुरुषो वा।
Transliteration: Sa yo’yam ātmā nārī vā puruṣo vā. Translation: “The Self (Atman) is neither female nor male.”
This verse emphasizes that the Atman transcends all physical attributes and dualities, such as gender, form, or identity. It is formless, eternal, and beyond the confines of the material world. The verse underlines the universal truth that the essence of existence, the Atman, is pure consciousness, unconditioned and indivisible. This teaching serves as a reminder of the spiritual equality and unity of all beings. The ultimate goal of human existence is to realize the Atman, which exists beyond bodily identification.
The Universality of Spiritual Symbols Hinduism has always embraced inclusivity, recognizing that divinity is beyond dualities. It celebrates this universality through its deities, symbols, and rituals.
Kali and Shiva: Represent the active and passive energies of the universe. Neither is superior; both are essential. While energy in the form of Kali is dynamic, active and restless energy, the Shiva represents a reservoir of potential energy—vast endless reservoir of energy.
Neither of the above is inferior; each manifests itself as appropriate to the divine.
Krishna and Radha: Their relationship symbolizes the interplay of the soul and divine love, not bound by societal norms of gender. Neither of them is superior or inferior. In fact, the name of Radha comes ahead of Krishna in the greetings reminding us to respect the feminine energy of the cosmic even before its male counterpart. There doesn’t appear to be confusion of any kind.
Likewise in ‘Jai Siya Ram’—which represents the Spirituality, Siya comes ahead of Ram and in Jai Shri Ram, ‘Shri’ or another name for Goddess Lakshmi comes ahead of Ram—an incarnation of Vishnu.
There is no confusion whatsoever that both female and male forms of cosmic energy are given equal importance in spirituality.
Samsara (Cycle of Birth and Death): Hindu philosophy teaches that the soul transcends gender in every lifetime, taking on different forms to fulfill its karmic journey. It neither becomes inferior by adopting a lower being’s form according to the Karma nor becomes superior by adopting a higher form—it is a journey that it transcends to learn from each form and ultimately unite with the Supreme. It is like visiting various destinations in this long journey that transcends ages—the key is to acquire good samskaras and keep getting better with each destination. Where is the gender in all this?
The Risk of Misinterpretation or Misunderstanding Modern gender debates often project rigid binaries or political agendas onto spiritual concepts, risking a reductionist interpretation of profound symbols. For instance, the profound equilibrium symbolized by the Ardhanarishvara form is sometimes narrowly interpreted as commentary on gender fluidity, missing its deeper spiritual message of integrating opposites within oneself. Similarly, the Shivlinga is frequently misread as a representation of anatomy, whereas its essence lies in portraying cosmic unity and balance.
For instance:
The Shivlinga is frequently misunderstood when viewed through the lens of anatomy rather than cosmic balance. This can only happen if one doesn’t care to learn in depth and forms hasty opinions.
The Ardhanarishvara form is sometimes reduced to a statement on gender fluidity, whereas its deeper meaning is the integration of opposites within every individual.
Even in day-to-day life, the profound aggression of male energy doesn’t work everywhere. If the brute hard work and ruthless application of mind is male, the power of kindness and humility is female. To achieve the goal—both are required in real life—by both—males and females. There’s no superiority of gender in this.
A Call for Balance and Respect
Spirituality, at its core, seeks to dissolve distinctions—be it of gender, caste, creed, or even the forms of other beings that the soul adopts.
By dragging it into contemporary debates, we risk losing the very essence of what it stands for: unity, balance, and transcendence.
I believe that the root of many unthoughtful comments, even from learned authors, lies in an incomplete understanding of the symbolism and profound philosophy inherent in our spiritual texts. This misunderstanding is often exacerbated by the non-holistic nature of today’s education systems, which are centred around the livelihood generation. These tend to prioritize technical and factual knowledge over the rich, interpretative studies of philosophy and spirituality.
The depth and complexity of ancient scriptures require a comprehensive approach to fully grasp their meanings. Without this holistic understanding, the profound symbolism and teachings can be misinterpreted, leading to misguided opinions and comments. This issue is further compounded by the rapid spread of information on social media, where nuanced discussions are often replaced by oversimplified or incorrect portrayals. Another significant factor contributing to these misunderstandings is the non-aggressive nature of many learned Hindus.
While this approach reflects a culture of tolerance and restraint, it sometimes means that misinformation is not countered effectively. As a result, illogical misunderstandings can proliferate without sufficient challenge.
Encouraging thoughtful and respectful dialogue is crucial to addressing these issues, ensuring that misconceptions are corrected without resorting to aggression. A particularly grave mistake made by some is the misrepresentation of key figures such as Yogeshwar Krishna.
Influenced by the aggressive marketing of foreign faiths and the cultural imprints left by historical rulers, these portrayals often fail to capture the true essence of such spiritual icons. Yogeshwar Krishna, like many others, embodies teachings that transcend gender and societal constructs, advocating for balance, unity, and spiritual enlightenment. Instead of projecting modern conflicts onto ancient symbols, we should strive to understand their deeper meanings.
I would say that it should be the other way round—learn from the profoundness of ancient symbols rather than imposing the narrow and mundane societal issues onto them. Had we learnt from them—the debate over gender wouldn’t have existed. Let spirituality guide us toward inclusivity, compassion, and harmony, rather than becoming yet another platform for division.
Conclusion
The richness of Hindu philosophy lies in its ability to transcend the physical and delve into the metaphysical. Symbols like the Shivlinga and concepts like Ardhanarishvara remind us that spirituality is not about enforcing binaries but about uniting opposites. Let us honour this wisdom by sparing spirituality from the confines of gender debates and instead using it as a bridge to foster understanding and unity. As the Bhagavad Gita teaches, we are all reflections of the divine, transcending the limitations of form and identity. Let us not forget this universal truth. To truly honour the profound philosophy of our spiritual texts, we must:
- Promote Holistic Education: Integrate studies of philosophy, ethics, and spirituality into mainstream education to provide a more comprehensive understanding of ancient texts.
- Encourage Nuanced Discussions: Foster platforms for in-depth discussions that go beyond surface-level interpretations, allowing for a deeper appreciation of symbolic meanings.
- Counter Misinformation Respectfully: Encourage learned individuals to engage in respectful dialogue to correct misunderstandings and provide accurate interpretations.
- Highlight True Teachings: Emphasize the core messages of balance and unity in spiritual teachings, ensuring that key figures like Yogeshwar Krishna are represented accurately. By addressing these factors, we can cultivate a more informed and respectful engagement with our spiritual heritage, ensuring that its true essence is preserved and appreciated.
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