sweet and happy time for united couples.
The poet Kalidasa’sepic Meghaduta
describes a man exiled in southern
India, who addresses one of the mon-
soon clouds, giving it a message to con-
vey to his beloved. The monsoon rains
are also associated with the god
Krishna. His dark skin color is com-
pared to a rain cloud. Also, his birthday
is celebrated at the end of the rainy
season, and his divine persona appro-
priates the image of the lover associated
with the rains.
Moon
In Hindu astrology (jyotisha), a planet
associated with fecundity (fertility),
although its aspect can be either benev-
olent or malevolent—benevolent with
the waxing moon, and malevolent with
the waning moon. During the lunar
month, the full moonis considered the
most auspicious time of all. The new
moon, however, is considered a ritually
ambiguous time, and thus potentially
dangerous. During the weekthe moon
presides over Monday, generally consid-
ered an auspicious dayand one that is
sacred to Shivaas Somnath, the Lord of
the Moon.
Morari Bapu
(b. Muraridas Prabhudas 1946) Modern
commentator and expositor (kathava-
cak) on the Ramcharitmanas. Written
by the poet-saint Tulsidas, the
Ramcharitmanasis a vernacular version
of the Ramayana, the earlier of the two
great Sanskritepics. As with all vernac-
ular renditions of the Ramayana,
Tulsidas did not simply translate
Valmiki’sSanskrit epic, but adapted it to
address his own religious concerns, par-
ticularly the importance of devotion
(bhakti) to God, one of the text’s central
themes. Morari Bapu claims no super-
natural powers or ability; his religious
fame rests solely on his commitment to
the text, and his power in expounding it.
At times he speaks to audiences of more
than 100,000 people, giving katha
(discourse) to the Hindu diaspora pop-
ulationsin Europe and North America,
as well as in India.Mrcchakatika
(“The Little Clay Cart”) Drama written
by the playwright Shudraka, probably in
the early fifth century. The play
describes the flowering of love between
a poor but noble brahmin, Charudatta,
and a wealthy and virtuous courtesan,
Vasantasena, set in the context of a
complicated political intrigue. The play
is noted for its portrayal of everyday
urban life, exemplified by the little
clay cart—a child’s toy. It has been
translated into several languages and is
periodically performed for modern
American audiences.Mrtyunjaya
(“Conqueror of Death”) Epithet of the
god Shiva. The mythic charter behind
this particular name comes from the
story of the sage Markandeya. Devoted
to Shiva, Markandeya is an intelligent
and religious boy who is proficient in all
branches of learning. His story is
poignant because he is fated to die at
sixteen. When Markandeya learns of
this, shortly before his sixteenth birth-
day, he begins to worshipShiva with
even greater fervor. On the appointed
day, Yama, the god of death, comes to
claim Markandeya. When Yama throws
his noose over Markandeya to draw
out the boy’s soul, it catches the statue
of Shiva to which Markandeya is
clinging. Shiva arises from the image
and kills Yama, saving Markandeya’s
life. Although Shiva relents and restores
Yama to life, this particular form of
Shiva illustrates his power to protect his
devotees (bhakta) from all things,
including death.Mudra
(“seal”) In Indian dance, theater, and
iconography, a mudra is a stylized hand
gesturethat conveys a specific meaning,
ranging from concrete things such asMudra