I'm thinking about all of this and will respond to various comments tomorrow, after I've gotten some sleep.
For now, a further question: Perhaps I missed earlier discussions, but does the "character" of the Shivans follow from the descriptive cosmology of Hinduism? Hinduism is the source of GTVA names for all things Shivan, of course, and I'm assuming that this is where the "elemental force" idea comes from. But how far did the V-people go in emulating or gaining inspiration from Hinduism in creating the FS universe? V-people do know Hinduism, perhaps better than I do, as some of them are of that faith. So, do the Shivans play the same role in the FS universe that Shiva plays in many incarnations in the Hindu "universe"?
In Hinduism, Shiva performs the cosmic dance of creation and destruction, and maintains the harmony of the universe by balancing the two acts. He is the Great Lord of the Hindu godhead. As the balance on which the universe rests, Shiva has antithetical (opposite) sides. When incarnated with his wife, Shakti, he is both giving and loving (devi), and fierce and punishing (deva). He can also be incarnated as Mahadeva Shiva, Lord of Death and the Underworld, and Yoga Shiva, Lord of Wisdom and Calm. As Rudra Shiva, he is identified with the stars, particularly Sirius, and is the Supreme Hunter of All Living Things. And he has an army of bhairavas, all of whom are terrifying reflections of himself.
Hmmmm. If the Shivans are deva, then there might exist another advanced species that is devi. . . . This may be starting to make some sense.
Ascraeus
[This message has been edited by TDM/JM (edited 12-07-2001).]
[This message has been edited by TDM/JM (edited 12-07-2001).]