Hari Hara (2/2)

Hari means Vishnu and Hara depicts Shiva !

The composition that I talked about in the previous section called Hari Hara shows paradox between these two deities, Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva). It differentiates them in the form they are depicted, their preferences and tales of the demons they killed to restore peace.

I have always related Vishnu as the one who makes us understand the earthy connections. While for me Shiva is the one who teaches us mortification.
In spite of all the differences in their manifestations, from all the instances explained we understand that both Vishnu & Shiva reciprocate the message that good triumphs over evil.

The narration of the shloka first describes Vishnu and then the contrasting aspect of Shiva. The shloka begins as,

दऊ दऊ शंख कपाल भूषितकर, मुक्तार्थी मालाधर…

One holds the couch; the other holds a skull in his hand
One has a necklace of pearls around his neck; the other has necklace of skulls
One lives amidst the fable milky ocean; the other is found at the burial ghat
One has Garuda as his vehicle; the other has Nandi the bull
One killed the mighty king, Bali; the other beheaded Daksha
One has Lakshmi as his companion; the other has Parvati

The composition goes on in distinguishing both the deities and eventually they have been named after their various acts which represent good over evil.

Vishnu has been named as Kansa nishodhan after he killed Kansa in his incarnation as Krishna. Similarly, Shiva is also called as Ananga dahan after he turned Madana to ashes.

Vishnu has the sudarshana, Shiva has the trishul

Vishnu holds the Kaustubha, Shiva holds river Ganga within his matted locks

Vishnu wears yellow color, Shiva wears the tiger skin

Kaliya mardana, Daksha vinashana
Kamala nayana, Trinetraya
Padma Nabha, Neelakantha
Chatur bhujam, Chandrashekhar
Hari Hara…

This shloka is followed by the Sabda Swara Path, which is an unique element found in the Odissi style of Late Guru Debaprasad Das.
‘Sabda’ (शब्द) means word, ‘swara’ (स्वर) means music and ‘path’ (पाठ) refers to rendition.
The dancer performs to each word which is supplemented by ukuta on the mardala and the rendition is done together. Like in this composition, the sabda swara path continues to elaborate the paradox between Vishnu and Shiva.