Why So Many Hands?

I asked a question, “Why do various deities (Gods) in Hinduism(!) have so many hands?”

Next time you say something like "I've only got one pair of hands!" Think again...

In the first instance, please note that there is only one God. No matter what your personal faith or background is. I used the phrase ‘Gods’ for a reason. The perspective of people at large is an indicative of this belief. I’ll talk about this at another time. For now, back to the subject matter raised herein.

In the first instance, please allow me to give you an example of just one named God, Lord Vishnu. The one with four hands holding Shankh (Conk-Shell), Chakra (Discus Throw), Gada (Mace) and Padma (Lotus Flower). Now, first, let us analyse these:

Shankh - Conk-Shell:
A leader’s instrument, in peace or in war time it can be utilised to alert others of the leader’s intention. Experienced Conk-Shell blower can indicate the intentions without having to spell out in words that may potentially be misunderstood or at worse, not heard. Now-a-days, bugles are utilised for same purpose; albeit, it’s not the leader blowing these bugles! In addition, the blowing of a Conk-Shell requires strong lungs indicating one being in good health; very good health!

Chakra – Discus Throw:
From a sporting point of view, one needs to have good posture and strong arms to throw a discus further than the opponent. However, the discus spoken of here can mean one of two explanations as per Srimad Bhagwat: (A) a circular saw consisting of 1000 teeth able to saw of anyone’s head was a deterrent enough for anyone otherwise wanting to betray the deities. In other words a deterrent used against lies and deceits. (B) Lord Vishnu also portrayed as the one at the centre of the universe and the planetary system moving around him looked upon in a different way indicates the out-stretched galaxy spiralling around the Sun; the Sun being the centre of the galaxy (Universe).

Gada – Mace:
Mace, often mistakenly presented as an offensive weapon, actually is used as a protector. The message from Srimad Gita is not to be offensive but to be protective (Not Defensive either) of the truth. If that means that a mace requires to be utilised, so be it!

Padma – Lotus Flower
Lord Brahma, a formation of the Lord of creation seated on the Lotus Flower with its stem rooted in Lord Vishnu’s belly button is indicative of a strong, firm but at the same time useful and stern flower looking at its best, even when in the middle of the muddy waters. In the hands of Lord Vishnu (instead of his belly button!) indicates that though Lord Brahma may be the creator, He – Lord Vishnu – holds the strings of the universe firmly in his grasp. So soothing is the site of a Lotus that even the most agitated person will find solace upon its site. Forgiving therefore is its nature.

Now my friends just think how all of these qualities of any one individual can be portrayed in words. The words that are limited compared to a picture that speaks volumes. A primary indication of why deities and demons are portrayed with many limbs according to their characteristics. These characteristics can be an elephant head for Lord Ganesh or for that matter ten heads for King Ravan or sixteen thousand wives of Lord Krushna or one hundred sons of Dhrutrashtra; just to name a few examples.

This is no different to modern day cartoon stories. Such as the $$ signs popping out of the eyes when loads of money is thought of or the nose of Pinocchio lengthening upon lies being spoken and so on.

Albeit, there are certain quarters of population / archaeologists who believe that once upon a time, humans did actually have more than four limbs or more than one head attaching to their body. Children born this way now-a-days are otherwise stigmatised as deformed!