Image
from Moor.
Basic Description: Described
as a marine monster, horned shark, or dolphin. Makara is also the name of the zodiacal sign
Capricorn. He is the riding animal of Varuna.
Iconography: He has the head of a deer, legs of an antelope, and the body and
tail of a fish.
Mythology:
Makara
is mentioned in the Gita Govinda, where it refers to Kama having subdued the
Makara. Perhaps for this reason, the dolphin is found on Kama’s
red banner. It follows that one of Kama’s names is Makara-Ketu:
ketu means a banner.
Although there are apparently no stories that revolve around Makara, a few
references to him may be found. Radha, speaking of Krishna's earrings says that
they are shaped like the fish Makara.
Elsewhere, it is written that the earrings of Vishnu
are also shaped like the fish Makara and represent the two methods of knowledge.
Riding Animal: Makara
is the riding animal of Varuna.
Sources:
Danielou, Alain. The Myths and Gods of India. Rochester, VT:
Inner Traditions International, 1991.
Moor, Edward. The Hindu Pantheon. Los Angeles: The Philosophical Research
Society, Inc., 1976.
Thomas, P. Epics, Myths and Legends of India. Bombay; D. B. Taraporevala
Sons & Co. Private Ltd., 1961.
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