Siva - The Mad Lord: A Puranic perspective

Area of Science:

• Religious Studies
• Psychology
• Cultural Anthropology

Background:

• Lord Shiva's unconventional attributes, including attire and behavior, have inspired deep devotion.
• Devotees expressed their love through sacred texts like Thevaram and Thiruvachakam, referencing Puranic myths.
• These narratives offer a unique lens for understanding societal perceptions of unconventional behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the theological and cultural significance of Lord Shiva's perceived eccentricities.
• To investigate the potential of these narratives in destigmatizing mental illness.
• To analyze the connection between devotional literature and the portrayal of unconventional figures.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of devotional literature (Thevaram, Thiruvachakam) and Puranic myths.
• Comparative study of Shiva's attributes with concepts of mental health stigma.
• Qualitative interpretation of religious and cultural symbolism.

Main Results:

• Lord Shiva's unconventionalities are central to His worship and devotional expressions.
• The Puranic myths surrounding Shiva provide rich symbolic material.
• These myths can be reinterpreted to foster empathy and reduce stigma associated with mental illness.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the potential of religious narratives in challenging social stigmas.
• Reinterpreting Lord Shiva's myths offers a framework for destigmatizing mental illness.
• This approach can aid sufferers and their caregivers by reframing perceived 'eccentricities'.