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Vol. XLVIII · No. 134 · Established 1978 · Founded by K.B. Ganapathy
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In the Lion’s Royal Shadow

By Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik - Author, Speaker, Illustrator, Mythologist Lions have long been symbols of royalty across the world. In India, kings sat on lion thrones (simha-asana) and Durga, the patron goddess…

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Published January 9, 2025 · 4 min read
in the lion’s royal shadow

By Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik - Author, Speaker, Illustrator, Mythologist

Lions have long been symbols of royalty across the world. In India, kings sat on lion thrones (simha-asana) and Durga, the patron goddess of royal households, is shown riding into battle on a lion. Uniquely, in our country, lions are also linked with ascetics and their guardian goddesses. Both kings and ascetic were called shardula, a mythical being that is part lion, part tiger and even part elephant.

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