Lotus (Pexels)
I think the lotus is representative of this video because of the references to both Brahma and the cycle of life and death. As mentioned in the video, in Hinduism, death isn't viewed in an end-all-be-all type mindset. Life and death is a constant cycle. While the physical manifestation of life and death is personified within a person's body, it is the soul that eventually lives on. As stated in the video, "the soul whose sleep leads to destruction and whose awakening leads to creation." I think the lotus is a great personification of this idea of a manifestation of a person in more ways than one. A person's soul is one that takes some work to realize and you have to peel away at the layers to get to that point. In that way, the lotus also signifies that there is beauty in all aspects of the flower, similar to a person. However, when bringing it back to the idea of life and death, it is that beauty of life that one must go through (symbolized by the multiple petals) to get to the heart and soul of it all. When at that point, the soul is free-flowing. Tying it all back to Brahma and Vishnu, Brahma is known as the creator and he resides on a lotus flower. Vishnu is the one to control the idea of "What Dies is Always Reborn," the notion that is present with the cycle of life and death.
Bibliography: Devdutt Pattanaik, Part B: Narayan
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