Date uploaded in London – – 11 March 2024
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Bell in Hinduism (Post No.13,084)
Eleven years ago, I wrote and posted here two articles on Bells:
1.Hindus invented Calling Bell
2.Why do Hindus worship Bell?
Now I want to add more points on the same topic.
Two Tamil Kings Manu Neethi Choza (Manu Smriti follower) and Veerapandya Kattabomman made the bells more popular. One Purana purusha by name Ghantakarna also made the story more popular.
Clockwise direction found in all clocks also is a Hindu invention.
Hindus do all good activities in clockwise direction. Doing Arti at temples, going round the temple or Gods are a few activities for this clockwise direction. Only in funeral ceremonies they do it in reverse. Hindus change their sacred thread to left side when they do ceremonies for departed souls. They do anti clockwise circumambulation in the crematorium. The very word Pradakdhina meant going towards or turning towards right side.
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What did Manu Neethi Choza, Veera Pandya Kattabomman and Ghantakarna do?
In all Hindu palaces there hung a bell known as Search Bell or Calling Bell. Since it was at the entrance of the palace, anyone with a grievance can ring it to draw the attention of the ruler. When such a bell was rung at the palace of Manu Neethi Choza, the whole capital city was shocked and surprised. It had never happened in Choza empire. And the person who rang the bell was A COW!. When the king ordered enquiry, it was found out that his own son crushed a calf by rash driving. Then following Manu Smriti principle “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, blood for blood”, he crushed his own son under the chariot wheel at the same spot to reduce the grievance of the mother cow. Then god himself came and appreciated his just rule and revived all the dead. Now one can see his statue in Madras High Court and Tiruvarur. Since this Choza was a legendary king, scholars believe that he lived 2000 year agoin Pre Sangam Period.
Veerapandya Kattabomman fought against the British atrocities in Tamil Nadu and was hanged by the British rulers 300 years ago. He was a great devotee of Lord Skanda/ Muruga at Tiruchendur. He would eat only after the morning Puja and Arti were finished at the temple. But his palace at Panchalankurichi was 40 miles away from Tiruchendur Temple. He built clock towers along the 40 mile route so that he could hear the temple bell. Once the main bell at the temple was rung, the man at all the clock towers will ring the bell one after another. When the bell at his Palace rang, he would go for his lunch.
Ghnatakarna story is in Mahabharata. Sri Ramkrishna Paramahamsa narrated it beautifully in his teachings to illustrate one should not be a religious fanatic. Ghanta means Bell in Sanskrit; Karna meant ear. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and wore a bell in one of his ears to make noise when someone said NARAYANA. He could not tolerate any other God other than Shiva. But Shiva himself tried his best to change his fanaticism. He appeared as Sankara NARAYANA (half Shiva, Half Vishnu) before him. But this stupid fanatic showed arti only to Shiva half. Children used to tease him by saying before him, Narayana, Narayana! As a result, he wore two bells in both his ears. At last Shiva told him if he wanted to go to heaven he had to worship Krishna of Dwaraka. As he matured in course of time, he did worship Krishna and went to Vaikundam, the abode of Narayana/Vishnu.
Picture: Manu Neethi Cholan statue at Madras High Court.
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Vedanta Desika and the Silver Bell
Vedanta Desika was a great Vaishnavite saint who came after Sri Ramanuja. He is considered the reincarnation of THE BELL. In Vaishnava tradition each Alvar saint is considered as one aspect of Vishnu; in other words, he is the reincarnation of that part of Vishnu or Perumal in Tamil. Vedanta Desika is considered incarnation of the bell that was used by Brahma in Tirupati Balaji Temple. Brahma used the bell to do Puja to Sri Venkatachalapathy in the temple . Vedanta Desika himself says that he was the reincarnation of the bell that Brahma used.
It is found in one of his over 100 books. But today Balaji temple don’t use any bell inside the sanctum sanctorum.
In 1967 a committee was formed in Chennai to celebrate Desika’s 701st birth anniversary. The committee decided that a silver bell should be made and taken to different places in India. Rich and poor contributed their mite to make the Silver Bell and the Bell went around 60 cities in India. Wherever the bell was taken, a big reception was given to it. And the ardent Vaishnavites worshiped it as Vedanta Desika.
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Bells in Tamil Chariots
2000 years ago, Sangam age Tamils had bells in their chariots. Romans also had bells like Tamils. Sangam age Tamils were nature lovers and so they tied the tongue of the bells when they watched beautiful birds and animals in the forest. It is in Sangam poems.
Another fact revealed in the Sangam books Mullaip Pattu, Madurai Kanchi and Narrinai is they had Time Keepers in Tamil Nadu. They were called Nazaikai Kanakkar (who calculates Nazikai). They used to announce time at the end of Nazikai or Muhurtham or Jamam( Yamam). They announced it by ringing the bells according to Tamil poems. This also showed the existence of bells in Tamil Nadu 2000 years ago.
There are lot of proverbs such as who is to bell the cat? That shows the existence of bells. Hindus were so Time Conscious they did everything according to almanac. Lot of details in Mahabharat proved this.
Nazaikai= 24 minutes; two and a half Nazikai= One hour; a day consist of 60 Nazikais.
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Following Details are available in Wisdom Library
Goddess Kali, Veerabhadra and Ghantakarna had bells.
Kadambari of Bhanabhatta, who lived 1400 years ago has a reference to bell in his book. Tamil Saivite Saint Appar says that calling bells were at the Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. He said that even before the Devas rang the calling bell to say SOS, Lord Shiva laughed and the demons’ space Stations were burnt down. Demons had three Space Stations called hanging palaces and attacked all on earth and the sky above. Shiva’s laughter burnt them down in a fraction of a second. Lord Shiva is famous for his Third Eye with laser weapons. Once he opens it, the targets will be bunt to ashes!
From Wisdom Library
Ghaṇṭā (घण्टा) refers to a “bell”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 11.1-24ab, while describing the appearance and worship of Tumburu]—“[…] The Devīs are white, red, yellow, and black, four-faced, four armed, three eyed, and in [their] hands bear golden hatchets, sticks and rosaries. […] Ajitā [is yellow, like] the calyx of a lotus. Four-faced and four-armed, [she] bears a spear and a bell (śākti-ghaṇṭā-dharā) and rests on a flat hide. […] [When one] worships and meditates on [the Devīs, as they] stand in the cardinal directions, [the Devīs grant the practitioner] the fruits of siddhi. […]”.
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Ghaṇṭā (or, the bell) is another musical instrument, which is generally found in the hands of Vīrabhadra and Kālī. (In Iconography).
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Ghaṇṭā (घण्टा) refers to a “bell”, according to Bāṇa’s Kādambarī (p. 224).—Accordingly, “[From afar] Candrāpīḍa first sees a ‘crimson ensign’, inscribing the sky with a gold trident, from which swung a terrifying bell (ghora-ghaṇṭā) making a raucous clanging that dangled down from an iron chain attached to the tip, arranged with a yak-tail whisk as splendid as a lion’s mane”.
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Largest Bell in Ayodhya Ram Temple
The temple has a bell weighing 2,400 kg. The monumental bell has been made of ‘ashtadhatu’ (eight metals) and costs ₹ 25 lakhs.
Made by a diverse team of approximately 30 skilled workers in Uttar Pradesh, the bell is composed of eight metals: gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, tin, iron, and mercury. The bell will produce a resonant sound audible within a two-kilometre radius and measures an impressive six feet in height and five feet in width. Etah has a town called Jalesar which sent the Bell to Ram Temple
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All Hindu Temples have bells.
Four Maharashtra temples have Portuguese Bells that were recovered by Maharashtra Peshwa commander who beat the Portuguese navy along the west coast of India 200 years ago
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My Old Articles
Hindus invented Calling Bell !
Hindus invented the Calling Bell !
Written by London Swaminathan and posted here on 1 Marxh 2013
Who invented the Calling Bell? My research shows that Tamil Hindus have invented it 2000 years ago. We have two stories to confirm my finding. Though encyclopaedias give names of different inventors for mechanical and electrical bells at door steps, the idea came from Tamil Hindus according to the available literary evidence.
Many of us know that a 500 year old Tamil bell was discovered in New Zealand. It is now in Te Papa Museum in Wellington, New Zealand. William Colenso, A missionary, had found this bell used by Maori tribes as a cooking vessel. When the inscription was read by Tamils, it said Mohideen Buk ship’s bell. A Tamil Muslim trader had used it in his ship. From the orthography of the inscription we came to know it must be 500 year old.
Palace Bell Miracle
Manu Neethi Cholan was a famous Choza king who ruled from Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu. Manu Neethi Cholan means a Chola who followed Manu Smriti, the Hindu law maker. Lot of Tamil epigraphs and copper plate inscriptions also praised Tamil kings as strict followers of Manu Smriti. This Chola was so just he even killed his own son on the basis of a complaint from a COW!
Manu Neethi Chola hung a Calling Bell at the entrance of his palace. Anyone who had a grievance can go to the palace and ring the calling bell. But nobody used the bell for long, because the king was so just and there were no grievance at all. One day the prince went through the streets in his chariot. He was careless in his driving and he ran over a calf and killed it. The mother of the calf ran to the palace and rang the bell! Immediately the king and ministers came out and found out what happened. The king killed his son under the chariot to punish his son and himself by Putra soham (bereavement through the loss of a son). This was the first use of calling bell in history.
This story has been repeated in Tamil literature in several books from the days of Silappadikaram. We hear this incident for the first time from the mouth of Kannaki in Silappadikaram, then in Mahavamsam, Pazamozi 400, Periapuranam and later day Sthala Puranas. Tamil epic Silappadikaram is variously dated but all agree the epic story happened in the Second Century AD. This shows that Manu Neethi Cholan lived before this period. A similar story is narrated in Mahavamsam, A Sri Lankan chronicle, attributing the incident to Elara, a just Tamil king who may have ruled in the 2nd century BC.
Divine Calling Bell in the Heaven
The reason I am attributing the invention of calling bell to Tamil Hindus is another story found in Thevaram hymns which is at least 1300 years old. Dr R Nagasamy, famous archaeologist and historian of Tamil Nadu, has written about Manu Neethi Cholan and heavenly divine bell in his book Poyyili Malai (Page 107, titled Kadai Thoongu Mani):
“ In the Shivaloka, Lord Shiva hung a bell so that the Devas who have grievances can easily approach him. The idea is that Shiva will hear the bell and respond immediately. But this bell was not used for long and got the name Sleeping Bell (Thoongu Mani). But Dr Nagasamy also explained Thoongu may mean hanging as well. One day the Devas rang the bell and surprised Lord Shiva. They complained about the demons that have flying metal forts. (I have already described them as space ships made up of copper, gold and silver which were burnt down with a laser weapon in my earlier post GOD WITH A LASER WEAPON: swami). The Thevaram hymn says that even before the bell sound subsided Shiva burnt down the three metal forts by his Third Eye. This was sung by Appar alias Thirunavulkkarasu. He was the contemporary of Pallava king Mahendra Varman.
Appar praised Shiva as an embodiment of mercy. Even before the grievances were said, he helped his devotees, Appar says in his verse. The Tamil reference is given for the Tamil readers at the end.
My interpretation: I consider these two anecdotes are evidence of Calling Bell in India. Later this idea was adapted to smaller homes. Discovery of electricity helped to devise the modern calling bells. But the concept is Hindus’. Since there was no reference in Sanskrit scriptures I think the credits go to Tamil Hindus.
Appar Thevaram
மூவா உருவத்து முக்கண் முதல்வ மிக்கூர் இடும்பை
காவாய் எனக் கடைத் தூங்கு மணியைக் கையால் அமரர்
நாவாய் அசைத்த ஒலி ஒலிமாறியதில்லை அப்பால்
தீயாய் எரிந்து பொடியாய் கழிந்த திரிபுரமே.
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Why do Hindus Worship Bell?
Written by London Swaminathan and posted here on 25 June 2013
I have already written about Hindus’ worship of Cows (Go Puja), Elephants (Gaja Puja), Snakes (Naga Panchami), Scorpions, Sandals (Paduka Puja), Fossils (Salagrama Puja), Gem Stones(Spatika/crystal), Conches (Shanka Puja) and flowers (Pushpanchali). I have also written that the calling bell was invented by the Hindus in my post ‘’Hindus invented the Calling Bell’’. Now I give some details about Bell Puja! Yes, Hindus worship bells as well. You know the story of Manu Neethi Choza who followed Manu Dharma Shastra during his rule. When the palace bell was rung by the cow which lost its calf under the wheels of his son’s chariot he killed his own son in the same way under the wheels of the palace chariot (for details go to my earlier post).
Bell Worship is called Ghanta Puja (Ghanta is bell in Sanskrit). The sound that comes out of the sacred bell is called Jaya Dwani (Victorious Sound). This sound helps to drive away the demonic forces and brings in the auspicious and positive forces. This has a deeper and inner meaning as well. This will drive away the evil thoughts from us. The bell will ring from inside us giving us positive energy.
When the priest or the performer of puja puts some flowers on the bell and rings it loud he recites a Sanskrit mantra echoing this meaning –‘Agamanartham thu Devanam, Gamanartham thu Rakshasam’. This Ghanta Puja is done in the beginning of Goddess worship and other rituals.
Every Hindu temple has a bell big or small. As soon as the devotee enters he or she rings the bell. During the main Arti all the bells in the temple will be used. This big sound improves one’s concentration. It helps devotees to focus their attention on the finale i.e. the main Arti. Hindus consider bell sound as a good omen. If they hear bell sound while discussing something important, they take it as positive sign or a Big YES.
Hanging a bell in front of the palace so that people can represent their grievances easily, was a great Hindu invention. The Hindu Kings who ruled from Sukothai in Thailand also followed this custom. We read about such bells in the Stories of Vikramaditya and other literature. Nowadays people in distress send SOS messages ( Save Our Souls ) from air planes and ships. In those days they rang a bell.
Ancient Ships also carried such bells. They used to ring it for giving messages. I have written about the Tamil Bell recovered from a ship and kept in New Zealand Museum. London is the Head Quarters for the Ship insurance company Lloyds. They have installed a bell that was recovered from HMS Lutine ship lost in sea in 1799. After that time the Lutine Bell was used by Lloyds to signal the loss of a ship at sea. Every time a ship was lost it was rung. Nowadays it is used for ceremonial occasions. So the custom of ringing a bell during distress has spread to different parts of the world, probably from India. We have proof for this in Tamil and Sanskrit literature.
Picture – Tamil Bell found in New Zealand
In Japan, bronze bells date back to 300 AD. They hang it at the entrance of Shinto shrines. In China people believed bells can fly. Christian churches used it to summon worshippers. Larger bells have been used in the monastery from sixth century. Bells were used in exorcism and in the rites of excommunication. Shakespeare knew this and used it in his King John (‘’bell .book and candle’’). Many cultures believed that the bell dispelled the demons.
Lutine Bell at London Lloyds
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind –(Lord Alfred Tennyson)
—-subham—
Tags– Bells, in Temples, Portuguese, Ram Temple, Kattabomman, Gantakarna, Appar, Manuneethi Choza,, Tamil Bell, Nazikai, Time Keepers
Tamil and Vedas 