Mayura (Sanskrit: मयूर Mayūra) is a Sanskrit word for peacock[1] which is one of the sacred birds of the Hindu culture. It is referred to in a number of Hindu scriptures. It is also a contemporary Hindu name used in many parts of India.

Background

An Indian Peacock
An Indian Peacock

The legend states that the Mayura was created from the feathers of Garuda, another divine birds of Hindu culture. Garuda is believed to be a vahana (conveyance) of Vishnu, one of the Trimurti. In images of the mayura as a mythical bird, it is depicted as killing a snake, which according to a number of Hindu scriptures, is a symbol of cycle of time.

Significance

Mayura is associated with a number of gods and deities of the Hindus including the following:

The thousand eyes refer to the eyespots on the feathers.[2]
  • Kartikeya is generally depicted with a mayura and the mayura also serves as his conveyance.
  • The mayura named Paravani serves as the conveyance of the god Kartikeya.

In Asian folklore, especially in that of the Vedda of Sri Lanka the peacock deserves a charm of praise since this bird kills centipedes and snakes.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ witzel, michael (1999). "Substrate Languages in Old Indo-Aryan (Ṛgvedic, Middle and Late Vedic)" (PDF). Electronic Journal of Vedic Studies. 5 (1). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  2. ↑ Anonymous (1891). Ramavijaya (The mythological history of Rama). Bombay: Dubhashi & Co. p. 14.
  3. ↑ C.G. and C.S.Seligman, "The Vedas", Oosterhout 1969

Further reading

  • Anna Dallapiccola, Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1)
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