Dharma

This past week, my apartment-mate decided to draw an image of himself.  Make no mistake, however, this was no ordinary drawing.  He decided to take certain "liberties" such as giving himself angel wings, and body full of symbolic tattoos.  I liked the idea, but when he suggested I make a drawing of my own, I informed him that I usually can't draw things unless I'm inspired.


Today, true inspiration hit me like a ton of bricks.


I give you my self portrait:

Let me break this masterpiece down.
First of all, I based it off of Vishnu and Shiva of Hindu mythology.  Vishnu is the preserver of the universe, and Shiva is the destroyer and rejuvenator.  (Fun trivia:  In the Bhagavad Gita, Shiva says "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds" which J. Robert Oppenheimer quoted after he completed the Manhattan Project.)


Now, onto the objects:
The loin cloth is made of tiger skin, which in India, represents lust.  By sitting down wearing the tiger skin, it shows that I have conquered my desire for lust. 


The infinity symbol stands for the preservation of the universe.


The hourglass drum represents the heartbeat of the universe, as well as song, dance and laughter.


The Sudarshana Chakra is the supreme weapon of Vishnu, which destroys the egos of others and burns away ignorance and illusions.  The Chakra has 108 serrated edges, which is the number of beads on the Indian rosary.


And the trident is the emblem of sovereignty. The prongs stand for purity, neutral energy, and darkness.


You'll also notice that the instruments of destruction are on the opposite side of the instruments of continuity.


Talk about symbolism.  I am so happy with how it came out.  Normally I can't draw well at all, and this is by far the most creative thing I have ever drawn.  Plus, look how sweet my luscious mane of hair is.


P.S. - I also gave myself ninja feet, for agility.