Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,443

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia –  21 February 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

ஆங்கில எழுத்து J- ல் துவங்கும் சொற்கள்

Words beginning with “J”.

Tamil version will be posted tomorrow

 J

JANARDHANA

Janardhana (Sanskrit: जनार्दन) appears as the 126th name in the Vishnu Sahasranama. It is a highly significant epithet of Lord Vishnu (and specifically Krishna), highlighting his role as the protector of devotees and the destroyer of evil

Meaning- “One Who Bestows Boons On One And All”

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JAGADGURU

Meaning: “Preceptor of The Universe”

used as an epithet of Brahmā and Siva in Siva Purana.

Used as an epithet of a name of Brahman, Viṣhṇu, Śiva, Rāma, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 6, 18.

Jagadguru is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms jagat and guru (गुरु).

In Tamil Nadu Kanchi Shankaracharya (1894-1994) was also called Jagadguru

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JAINA

Meaning – A Jaina, a follower of Jaina doctrines.

In Tamil they are called Samana or Amana. Because of their political involvement in converting Pallava and Pandya kings, they were severely criticised by Saivite saints who lived 1400 years ago. They have made a huge contribution to Tamil Literature in the middle period. Earlier Tamil epic Silappadikaram praised them.

JAINISM

A heterodox school of Indian philosophy that perceives the world as transitory and does not advocate dependence on an almighty God for existence. It views the world as transitory and self-existent, rejecting the notion of an almighty God who dictates existence.

 In Jainism there are 24 Tirtankaras; a Tirthankara is a highly revered spiritual teacher. They are enlightened beings who establish a path to liberation, guide followers, and found a “tirtha,” or ford, to help individuals cross the cycle of rebirths. These figures, like Mahavira, are considered the highest order of spiritual teachers, with 24 recognized for their teachings. They are often associated with significant dreams, and their birth and teachings are central to the spiritual tradition, representing the pinnacle of spiritual attainment.

List of 24 Tirthankars

No       Name Father            Mother          Birth Place

1.        Rishabhadev  or Adinath              Nabhi Maru Devi    Ayodhya

2.        Ajitnath         JitSatru          Vijaya Ayodhya

3.        Sambhavnath          Jitari   Sena   Shravasti

4.        Abhinandan Swami            Samvar          Siddhartha   Ayodhya

5.        Sumatinath Megharath   Mangla Devi Ayodhya

6.        Padmaprabha          Shridhar        Susima Devi Kaushambhi

7.        Suparshvanath        Pratishtha     Prithvi Devi  Varanasi

8.        Chandraprabha       Mahasen       Lakshmana   Chandrapuri

9.        Suvidhinath  Pushpadanta           Sugriva          Rama Rani    Kakandi

10.      Shitaltnath   Dradharath  Nanda Rani  Bhadrilpur

11.      Shreyansnath          Vishnu           Vishnu Devi  Simhapuri

12.      Vasupujya Swami i Vasupujya     Jaya Devi       Champapuri

13.      Vimalnath     Krutavarma  Shyama Devi            Kampilyapur

14.      Anantnath    Simhasen      Suyasha         Ayodhya

15.      Dhramnath   Bhanu            Suvrata          Ratnapur

16.      Shantinath    Vishvasen     Achira Hastinapur

17.      Kunthunath and      Surasen         Shree Devi    Hastinapur

18.      Arahnath      Sudarshan    Devi Rani      Hastinapur

19.      Mallinath      Kumbha        Prabhavati    Mithila

20.      Munisuvrat Sumitra         Padmavati    Rajgruhi

21.      Naminath     Vijay   Vipra  Mithila

22.      Arishtanemi             Samudravijay          Shiva Devi     Dwarka

23.      Parshvanath and     Ashvasen      Vama Devi    Varanasi

24.      Mahavir  Siddharatha      Trishala         Kshatriya Kund

Mahavir was senior to Buddha and lived in the Sixth Century BCE.

There are two sects in Jainism- Digamabaras, and Svetambaras

Meaning —Digambara (“sky-clad”) and Śvētāmbara (“white-clad”)—which separated around the 4th century BCE due to differences in ascetic practices and scriptural interpretation. Digambara monks renounce all clothing, while Śvētāmbara monks wear white robes

Jains are strict vegetarians.

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JAMBHUDWIPA

Mentioned in Mahabharata, Asokan inscriptions and Sangam Tamil Literature. One of the seven regions on earth.

In Tamil it is called Naavalam Tivu. Name is derived from Jambu Tree (Indian Blackberry; in Tamil Naaval)

One of the Purāṇically famous Saptadvīpas (seven continents). These seven continents are embankments separating the seven seas. Jambūdvīpa, Krauñcadvīpa, Śākadvīpa and Puṣkaradvīpa are included in the seven islands.These are the seven major mountains in Jambūdvīpa:

Himavān, Hemakūṭa, Niṣadha, Meru, Nīla, Gandhamādana,Mālyavān.

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JAMADAGNI

Jamadagni (जमदग्नि):—Son of Satyavatī (daughter of king Gādhi) and sage Ṛcīka. He married Reṇukā, the daughter of Reṇu. Many sons, headed by Vasumān, were born from the womb of Reṇukā. The youngest of them was named Rāma, or Paraśurāma. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.15.4-11)

Also mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.46) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. 

Renuka was such very devoted wife and the power of her chastity was manifest. Such was this power, that she used to fetch water from the river in a pot made of unbaked clay every day. The pot would hold together because of her devotion to her husband.

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JANAKA

Janaka (जनक) is the name of a famous king of Videha or Mithilā, foster-father of Sītā. He was remarkable for his great knowledge, good works, and holiness. After the abandonment of Sītā by Rāma, he became an anchorite-indifferent to pleasure or pain-and spent his time in philosophical discussions. The sage याज्ञवल्क्य (yājñavalkya) was his priest and adviser.

Shatapatha Brahmana and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad mention King Janaka (c. 8th century BCE) as a great philosopher-king of Videha, renowned for his patronage of Vedic culture and philosophy, and whose court was an intellectual center for Brahmin sages such as Yajnavalkya

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JANAKI

Daughter of Janaka; another name of Sita Devi.

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JANAMEJAYA & JARATKARU

Many people and places had this name according to Mahabharata. But the most famous was the son of Parikshit.

Name of a celebrated king of Hastināpura, son of Parīkṣit, the grandson of Arjuna. [His father died, being bitten by a serpent; and Janamejaya, determined to avenge the injury, resolved to exterminate the whole serpent-race. He accordingly instituted a serpent sacrifice, and burnt down all serpents except Takṣaka, who was saved only by the intercession of the sage Astika, at whose request the sacrifice was closed. Brahmins recite a mantra in the daily Sandhyavandana recalling this anecdote.

The first of the four sons of Parīkṣit and Irāvatī.¹ Father of Śatānīka.² Finding that the death of his father was predicted to be by the snake Takṣaka, he performed a sarpa yāga to destroy all snakes. All except Takṣaka came, the latter being sheltered by Indra. At this Takṣaka and Indra were invoked together. Advised by Bṛhaspati to refrain from the cruel yāga, Janamejaya agreed; with the aid of Tura, the priest, he performed Aśvamedha and other sacrifices; after anointing his son on the throne he went into the woods for penance.

Sandhya Vandana mantra

The snakes acceded to his request and said, “He who recites the following need not have any fear from us:

‘I call to mind the famous Astika born of Jaratkaru, that Astika who saved the snakes from the snake-sacrifice. Therefore it behoves you not to bite me. O snakes of virulent poison, remember the words of Astika after the snake sacrifice of Janamejaya. You shall be blessed‘.

That snake who does not cease from biting even after hearing such mention of Astika, shall have his hood divided a hundredfold like the fruit of Sinsa tree”.

(Source: Adi Parva, Chapter 58)

नर्मदायै नमः प्रातः नर्मदायै नमो निशि

नमोऽस्तु नर्मदे तुभ्यं त्राहि मां विषसर्पदः

सर्पापसर्प भद्रं त गच्छ सर्प महाविष।

Alternative line

Apasarapa sarapa bhadram te duram gachcha mahaayasaah

जनमेजयस्य यज्ञान्ते आस्तीकवचं स्मर।।

जरत्कार्वोर्जरत्कर्वां समुत्पन्न महायशाः

अस्तीक सत्यसन्धो मां पन्नगेभ्यो अभिरक्षतु

पन्नगेभ्यो अभिरक्षतु om nama iti.

MEANING

O Narmada, I offer you salutations in the morning & night (during sandhya vandana); Protect me from poisonous snakes

Astika, born of muni Jaratkaru and his wife of the same name, was a great soul. He, the protector of the truth, will protect me from the serpents.

***

JAPA

Japa (जप):—n. recitation; the practice of reciting mantras quietly/silently on prayer beads;Japa (जप).— Muttering, whispering.

2) Repeating passages of the Veda or names of deities &c.; Manusmṛti 3.74; Y.1.22.

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JATAKARMA

Jātakarman (जातकर्मन्).—n. a ceremony performed at the birth of a child; Manusmṛti 2.27,29; R.3.18. A ceremony performed when the navel string is divided, touching the infant’s tongue thrice with ghee, with appropriate prayers.

One of the Forty Samskaras (or Sixteen/Shodasa) from Birth to Death of a Hindu.

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JATI

Jāti (जाति).—1) Birth, production, सङ्कुलं जलजातिभिः (saṅkulaṃ jalajātibhiḥ) Rām.3.11.6; Pañcatantra (Bombay) 1.38; Manusmṛti 2.148;

2) The form of existence fixed by birth. 3) Race, family, lineage, rank.

4) A caste, tribe or class (of men); (the primary castes of the Hindus are only four :-brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra).

5) A class, genus, kind, species

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JAYADRATHA

Jayadratha (जयद्रथ).—A king of the Sindhu district and brother-in-law of Duryodhana, having married Duhśalā, daughter of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. [Once while out on hunting, he chanced to see Draupadī in the forest, and asked of her food for himself and his retinue. Draupadī, by virtue of her magical sthālī, was able to supply him with materials sufficient for their break-fast. Jayadratha was so much struck with this act, as well as her personal charms, that he asked her to elope with him. She, of course, indignantly refused, but he succeeded in carrying her off, as her husbands were out on hunting. When they returned they pursued and captured the ravisher and released Draupadī, and he himself was allowed to go after having been subjected to many humiliations. He took a leading part in compassing the death of Abhimanyu, and met his doom at the hands of Arjuna in the great war.

What happened on the 13^th day of Mahabharata war? Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu Desa (Indus Valley King) killed Abimanyu, son of Arjuna on the 13^th day of the war. Arjuna was furious and vowed to kill Jayadratha before the sunset next day. The whole Kaurava army gave Jayadratha full protection. When the sun appeared to set, Jayadratha poked his head out to show that he was victorious. Suddenly the sun reappeared in the sky and Arjuna shot Jayadratha down. The story goes that Krishna hid the sun with his Sudarsana chakra. Actually Krishna tricked Jayadratha with the knowledge of the solar eclipse happening on that day. Arjuna’s brothers Nakulan and Sahadevan were experts in such calculations.

People were told for a long time that the war started on a new moon (Amavasya) day. Latest research by scholars with computer software shows that it started on a full moon day. Another interpretation is that though it was started on New Moonday it was fought on alternate days.

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JAYADEVA

Name of the author of Gītagovinda with 24 Ashtapathis. He made Buddha one of the Ten Avatars of Vishnu.

Jayadeva (जयदेव).—A Sanskrit poet who lived in the 13th century A.D. He is the author of the play ‘Prasannarāghavam’. The famous work ‘Candrāloka’, a treatise on rhetorical figures, was written by this poet Jayadeva. His most important work is ‘Gītagovinda’, the theme of which is the early life of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, especially the love between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā, which is very touchingly described. He used to sing lyrics before the image of Kṛṣṇa while his wife danced according to the beat.

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JIVA

Meaning- A creature, living being.  The principle of life, the vital breath, life, soul. Jiva Atma is self; Parama Atma is God; Jiva is corrupted as Eve and Atma is corrupted as Adam in the Bible.

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JIVAN MUKTA

Jīvanmukta (जीवन्मुक्त).— Liberated Soull.a. ‘liberated while living’, a man who, being purified by a true knowledge of the Supreme Spirit, is freed from the future birth and all ceremonial rites while yet living.

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JNANA

1) Jnana (ज्ञान): Knowledge of the eternal and real. Knowing, understanding, becoming acquainted with, proficiency;

2) Knowledge, learning; 3) Consciousness, cognizance, knowledge; ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतो वापि (jñānato’jñānato vāpi) Manusmṛti 8.288 knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously.

4) Sacred knowledge; especially, knowledge derived from meditation on the higher truths of religion and philosophy which teaches man how to understand his own nature and how he may be reunited to the Supreme Spirit.

Jnana/does not mean a proficiency in a subject like chemistry or history. It is not mere learning but inward experience or awareness of a truth. In Advaita is the realisation of that one is  inseparably united with the supreme.

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JNANENDRIYA

Jñānendriya (ज्ञानेन्द्रिय).—an organ of perception; (these are five tvac, rasanā, cakṣus, karṇa and ghrāṇathe skin, tongue, eye, ear and nose.

***

Jatavedas:

One of the names of Agni.

He who knows all; Heat creates everything e.g. sun, body heat

The fire god Agni is extremely important in the Vedic religion. He is the messenger of the gods. He takes all the offerings poured into the fire to the gods. He is everywhere. He is in the sun and moon and as ‘jataragni’ in the stomach, says Sayana in his commentary. Jataragni is the metabolic activities in the body that produce heat. He is in the sea as Badava Agni. All the girls are possessed by him before the marriage. This means that all the girls must be married in front of him (sacrificial fire) as he gives them like a father gives his daughter to the bridegroom. The couple have to walk around the fire. It is called Saptapadi.

Orthodox Hindus keep fire in a pot from the birth to death and use it for all occasions. The ‘aupasana’ pot contains paddy husk burning forever. It is never extinguished. When a baby is born it is lighted and the same fire is used to light the funeral pyre when the person dies at an old age.

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JVARADEVA

Jvaradeva is a form of Lord Shiva. He destroyed Bhasmaasura . He is described in the Agamas as having three legs, three heads nine eyes and six arms. His images are found in many shiva temples including Madurai, Tirupparankundram, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Tirunelveli, Bhavani etc.

Jvaradeva or Jurakareśvara is depicted in the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple (Ādi Kumbheśvara) in Kumbakonam (Kumbhakonam), representing a sacred place for the worship of Śiva.—Jvvradeva is a three-headed image of Śiva with four hands. The three heads include two animal heads emerging laterally from behind the human head. The head on the right is that of a lion while the other one seems to be that of an antelope. He holds triśūla (trident) in the right hand and small vessel in the left hand.

Jvāra-deva is also depicted in the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai .

Later Vaishnava texts like Harivamsa gives a sectarian view of Krishna encounter with Jvara deva wherein the leader of the Vrishnis created a Narayana-jvara to fight against the original Jvara deva.

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JYOTISHA

Means Light.

Jyotiṣa (ज्योतिष).—Astronomy and astrology. One of the six Vedāṅgas.

Jyotiṣa is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry. It is part of Vedic School Syllabus for thousands of years.

it is the science about the stars and heavenly bodies. The heavenly bodies are the sun, the moon, the other planets and the stars etc. From the very ancient days men believed that these planets and stars in the sky played an important part in controlling the growth and activities of all the living and non-living things in the world.

1)      Jyotiṣa (ज्योतिष) or Jyotiṣaka refers to an “astrologer” (one who is versed in Saṃhita, Astronomy and Horoscopy), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “We shall now proceed to give a brief description of (the qualifications of) a jyotiṣaka. He must be of noble birth and of agreeable appearance; meek, truthful and without jealousy; of proportional limbs; of joints well built and of good growth; have no physical defects; be of fine hands, feet, nails, eyes, chin, teeth, ears, forehead, eye-brows and head; of fine physique and of high, sonorous voice”.

–Subham—

Tags- Jatavedas, Jnana, Jamadagni, Jayadeva, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 36; இந்துமத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-36 , Jyotisha, Astrologer

Indra on Iravata in Indus Valley Seal (Harappa)

 Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,431

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia –  17 February 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

 ஆங்கில எழுத்து I– ல் துவங்கும் சொற்கள்

Words beginning with “I ”. Tamil version will be published tomorrow.

INDRA

Indra is the most celebrated deity in the Rig Veda, with approximately 250 hymns directly dedicated to him. As the king of gods and god of storms/war, he is featured in over 25% of the 1,028 total hymns in the text, with an additional 50 hymns often co-praising him alongside other deities. 

Indra is a supreme heroic figure, often associated with the star Antares. These hymns focus on his martial prowess, destruction of Vritra, and role as protector, with significant references in the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda.

 Known as the King of Gods (Vendhan in Tamil literature) and a powerful warrior. He possesses over 35-40 names, including Vritrahan (slayer of Vritra) and Aaji krt (race maker).

He is the God of the East.

His name is used in male names throughout Asia until this day. His weapon is Vajrayudha.

Indra is not one person according to Kanchi Shankaracharya (1894-1994)

It means leader, head, chief; examples- Mrgendra, Gagendra, Gajendra

According to the Mahabharata, Indra seduced or tried to seduce Ahalya, wife of Gautama Rishi. And the sage’s curse impressed upon him a thousand marks resembling the female organ, so he was called Sa-yoni; but these marks were afterwards changed to eyes and hence he is called Netra Yoni and Sahasraksha, the thousand eyed (Yoni is female organ). But there is no support for this story in the Rig Veda, the oldest book in the world.

Tiru Jnana Sambandar who lived 1400 years ago during the reign of Mahendra Pallava and Pandyan Nedumaran refers to 1000 eyes of Indra. After Indra’s prayer Lord Shiva changed his 1000 Yoni signs into 1000 eyes.

In Tamil Nadu you may find men named ‘ Mr One Thousand’ (Kan Ayiram in Tamil)

Indra in Tamil Literature

Indra is the most popular Tamil God according to the oldest Tamil book Tolkappiam. Tolkappiar wrote this grammatical treatise around 1^st century BC. He lists all the four important Vedic Gods INDRA, VARUNA, VISHNU and SKANDA (another form of AGNI) as Gods of four Tamil Lands.  

Tolkappiar was not the only one who praised Indra. We see Indra throughout Tamil literature. Sangam Tamil literature mentions his name in several places and the heaven under Indra is mentioned in innumerable places. Pura Nanauru, Tirukkural and Tamil epics did not miss his name.

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INDRA FESTIVAL

Indra Festival was a very popular festival in ancient Tamil Nadu according to twin Tamil epics Silappadikaram and Manimekalai. It was first mentioned in Mahabharata and Ramayana. But in the Vedas we have some information which is interpreted by scholars as Indra festival. Atharva Veda mentioned Indra Dwaja (banner or flag of Indra). Rig Veda hinted at it.

At present Indra festival is celebrated as a grand Royal festival in Nepal. Gunabhadra, a king of 10^th century CE started this festival in Nepal. They call it Yenya or Indra Jatra. Bengalese also celebrated it.

Raksha Bhandan celebrated all over India and the Water Festivals celebrated in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma has got some links with Indra, the god of rain.

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IRAVATA

Airavata, also known as Iravata or Irawatha, is the mythical white elephant and vahana of Indra, the King of the Gods, considered the “king of elephants”. Airavata represents power, is associated with rain and clouds, and its depiction alongside Indra is found on seals from the Indus Valley Civilization.

He is shown with Four Heads or Four Tusks in sculptures, stamps and seals of South East Asia.

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INDRANI

Wife of Indra.

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ILVALAN

Ilvalan is a character from Hindu mythology, an Asura brother of Vatapi, known for a trap where Vatapi would turn into an animal to be eaten by Brahmins before being called out of their stomachs. The stories highlight that Sage Agastya defeated them by digesting Vatapi. Vatapi Jeerno Bhava- Let Vatapi be digested—story shows that Agastya annihilated the cannibals in the Indian forests.

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ISVARA

A term used in the text to refer to God, indicating the supreme deity worshipped by the followers. Mostly used with Lord Siva as a suffix.

Sundareswara, Maheswara, Someswara, Rameswara , Trayambakeswara

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ISHTADEVATA

Iṣṭadeva (इष्टदेव).—a favourite god, one’s tutelary deity. The deity one particularly likes to  aore.

Derivable forms: iṣṭadevaḥ (इष्टदेवः).

Iṣṭadeva is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms iṣṭa and deva (देव).

a chosen tutelary deity, favourite god, one particularly worshipped. Each family has a Kula Devata as well. Mostly, that God will be Ista Devata.

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INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

Tiger Goddess in Harappa 

Narabali in Harapa

The world was misled by some scholars in the case of Indus Valley Civilization. They made two or three false statements as a result of which we are unable to decipher the script until today. More than fifty different decipherments are available today and none of them is accepted by everyone. The first false statement made by the early excavators introduced the Aryan- Dravidian division into it. The second false statement introduced the Dravidian decipherment theory in the script. Both not only failed to make any progress but also prevented others to look at it from different angles.

Calling the greatest civilization of the world as “Indus” Valley Civilization itself is wrong. Most of the scholars agree on it because more than 2000 sites have been discovered since the excavation of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa on the banks of River Indus. Satellite information from space and ground water analysis by the nuclear scientists show that the mighty River Saraswati was flowing through North India long ago

Religious belief of Indus valley people remains a puzzle until today. John Marshal, Director General of Archaeology made some sweeping statements about certain objects he discovered in Mohenjo-Daro and misled the world. He was very unprofessional and forgot to mention where these objects were discovered.  

He described some objects as symbols of phallic worship. He said the circular stone objects were representations of female genital organs (Yoni) and lingam shaped objects were male organs. Those were up to two feet in height. Marshal classified these objects into three groups: Lingas, Baetylic Stones and Ring Stones. No information is published to show where they were found. Neither Mackay nor Vats (later excavators) gave any information or new finds in their reports.

 Later scholars pointed out the linga stones may be gamesmen or weights. Ring Stones might have been used to erect pillars or used for astronomical calculations. Since they did not find anything like this anywhere else in further excavations they even questioned the statement ‘’Phallic worship was an important element of Harappan religion’’.

Ghost Seal in Harappa

Sir Mortimer Wheeler was the one who made all Indians idiots! He fooled all the Indians by saying that he found a clinching evidence for the massacre of Indus people when he saw 37 skeletons scattered in disorderly manner at Mohenjodaro. “It may be no mere chance that at a late period at Mohenjodaro, men, women and children appeared to have been massacred there. On circumstantial evidence, Indra stands accused” (Wheeler 1947:82). Later, on examination G.F.Dales did find that Wheeler has misread the archaeological evidence. Neither they belonged to one and the same stratigraphical context nor were there proof of any massacre. Most of the skeletons positively showed that the persons were actually drowned in severe and sudden flood in the river Indus. Only two or three out of 37 skeletons bore cut marks and those too were found to have healed up. So he wrote a paper entitled ‘The Mythical Massacre at Mohenjo-Daro’ and exploded the myth of Aryan destruction of Harappan cities. K.M Srivatsava aptly remarks “ Indra, therefore ,stands completely exonerated”.

Indus civilization is not Indus civilization anymore. There are more sites on the banks of River Sarasvati than Indus. BB Lal says 50 major sites are on Indus river where as 177 early and 283 mature Harappan sites are on the banks of dried Saraswati river. All the early scholars were proved wrong on Indus Civilization when the scientific proof for drying of Sarasvati was dated 1700 BC. According to Kalyanaraman (2002), out of 2600 archaeological sites, over 1500 settlements were found on the Saraswati River Basin.

Horse: Use of Horse was debated for long. At first, foreigners wrote that Aryans came by horses and destroyed Indus people with iron instruments. But they could not find any iron or horse bones! They contradicted themselves! Now there are horse bones. But they are not foreign horses!

***

IYER, IYENGAR

The name “Iyer” is a title and a caste name primarily associated with a Brahmin community from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The term “Iyer” is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word “Arya,” signifying a person of noble or respectable lineage. Historically, Iyers have been priests, scholars, and administrators, known for their adherence to Vedic traditions and their contributions to various fields, including Carnatic music, literature, and mathematics. The name is a marker of social identity and is often used as a surname by individuals belonging to this community. Derivable or associated names are not typically found, as Iyer is more of a caste marker than a given name. Later others also used it to mean they are equal to Iyers. Even Christian preachers misused it.

There are subsects in the community like Vadama, Brahacharnam , Ashtasahsram etc.

***

The name Iyengar is a surname primarily found among the Vaishnavite Brahmin community of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a derivative of “Aiyar,” a common Brahmin surname, with the honorific suffix “-gar” added, denoting respect and status.

Tami Followers of Vishnu also are divided into sub sects like Vadakalai (northern branch) and Thenkaalai (southern branch) and Sellur Iyangars.

Iyers have Vibhuti as caste mark and Iyangars have Namam as caste mark. Thenkalai followers have Y shaped Namam (naamam). Vadakalai followers have Ushaped Namam (naamam).

To be continued ………………………..

Tags- HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL-34; இந்துமத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-34, Indra, Indus valley, Iyer, Iyengar

Teenage Girls taking video film by dancing in front of the Bangkok Hindu Temple

Bangkok Buddha Temple pictures

Goddess Mother Earcth in Buddhist temple

Description of the Buddhist temple with lot of golden coloured Buddha Statues

Goddess Mother Earth worshipped in Road Junctions.

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,349

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia –  21 January 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

Three Beautiful Temples that I Visited in Bangkok, Thailand! (Post No.15,349)

I visited three beautiful temples in Bangkok, capital city of Thailand, on 6^th and 7^th of January, 2026. They are

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

Buddha Temple and

Mother Earth Temple

***

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is a Hindu temple on Silon Road in the heart of Bangkok city. It is about 220 years old started by the Tamil Immigrants. Vaithi Padaiyachi constructed it in a shed and slowly extended it. His son expanded it and now it looks very modern with all Hindu Gods including Brahma. The main shrine accommodates Maha Mariamman, a form of Goddess Shakti. Village God Kaththavarayan, popular gods Siva, Vishnu, Uma, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Ganesh , Muruga/Skanda and Buddha are all worshipped there.

Sri Kannappa Kurukkal of Mariamman Temple in Bangkok.

Thai Students worshipping Goddess Mari Amman/ Shakti

Two Surprises

When I entered the temple I saw a lot of Thai students in school uniform, mostly girls, worshipping with utmost devotion. Probably they are on their way to examinations. I find more Thail devotees than Tamils in the temple. They came with plates full of fruits and garlands to offer to different Gods.

Another surprise was teenage girls were taking video film with song and dance in front of the temple. They had Kunkum/tilak on their forehead establishing their identity. Probably they wanted to do a presentation about the temple or Hinduism.

Sri Kannappa Kurukkal of Vedaranyam is the chief priest there. I got his telephone number from Vellore Sri Kalyana Sundara Sivacharya, who took me around the temple and did the temple honours to me. He told me that Vedic students from Madurai, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli are appointed as priest there. They are all young.

***

Mother Earth Temple

On my way to the Grand Palace, I saw youngsters, mostly Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese gathering in front of the Goddess Mother Earth in a road junction and lighting incense sticks. I saw the same Goddess in two more places.

All the names of Mother Goddess are from Vedic Sanskrit, only the spellings are corrupted. It was an echo of Atharva Veda where we have the oldest hymn on Mother Earth in the name of Bhumi/ Prithvi Suktas. Bhumi, Prithvi, Dharani, Ma/mother, Vaudhara and Vasundhara are used in the description of Goddess Mother earth.

But Buddhists added a new story for the worship of Mother Earth through out South- East Asian countries.

When Buddha was meditating under the Bodhi tree, Maran, the evil demon, tried to distract him and foil his attempt to attain enlightenment. But Buddha summoned Mother Earth through his Bhumi Sparsa Mudra (a hand gesture) where the fingers touch or point towards Bhumi/Earth.

Immediately Mother Earth came and twisted her long hair where from the water flew and washed away the evil Maran. These Mother Earth statues are in specially erected Mandapas, or in the gardens and in the Buddhist temples. She is on the left hand and holding Kalasha.Devotees go there to offer flowers, light up incense sticks and worship.

My Comments

Hindus are the first race in the world  to describe the land, country and earth as Mother.

Since we have no reference to Mother Earth with reference to Buddha in ancient Pali scriptures, it is actually a corrupted story of Mother Ganga and Bhumi Sukta of Atharva Veda; the proof lies in the pure Sanskrit words describing the earth.

Earth in Sanskrit words

Vasundharā -Wathondare (ဝသုန္ဓရေ) or Wathondara

Sri Dharaṇī=Preah Thoroni

Anangu in Tamil Nanga in Sanskrit= Nang Thorani (นางธรณี))

Kanishta Nanga= Neang Konghing (នាងគង្ហីង)

Evil Mara= Another name of Kaama/ Desire/ Manmatha

Atharva veda says

” Mata Bhumi putroham prithivyah ”  (माता भूमि पुत्रोहं पृथिव्या🙂 Meaning “Earth is my mother I am her son”. 

There are scores of other verses that glorify Mother Earth. The hymn of these verses is known as “Prithivi Sukta ” in AtharvaVeda .In these verses, prithi is described as vasudhara or vasudha (Possessor of wealth).

***

Buddha Temple with huge Golden coloured Buddha

In the heart of Bangkok city, there is a beautiful Buddha temple with serene atmosphere.

Buddhist Temple,Wat Thepthidaram, Samran Road, Bangkok

Rama III commissioned it in honour of his elder daughter Krommameaun Apson Suda Thep

52 cast figures of female monks made from tin, in meditative pose.

It is a monastic living quarters , with village atmosphere.

Great poet Sunthorn Phu resided here.

The huge temple has a big Buddha in golden colour. On the both sides the corridors have more golden Buddhas. When I went there on 7-1-2026, about fifty Buddhist monks, young and old were reciting the Pali scriptures; it sounded like the Vedic recitation in Hindu Veda Patasalas/schools. But only five devotees were there.  Whoever enters the building will go into meditation. The complex has Mother Earth Statue as well. The walls have the paintings depicting Buddha Charita.

***

Sanskrit Everywhere

When one travels in car one can notice Sanskrit words everywhere. Indra, Sri, Nagara are very common. If one studies the names of Thai people, one would find them of Sanskrit origin. Description of Mother Earth has nothing but Sanskrit. Moreover, we find Indra Festival as water festival, Makara Sankranti and Tamil New Year day corresponding with Thai New Year day, Brahmin Priests officiating Royal Thai ceremonies, recitation of Tamil Tiruvempavai of Manikkavasagar etc in Thailand. Hindu Gods including Brahma are worshipped in different temples. Ayodhya (corrupted as Ayuthaya) was the ancient capital and Kings are named Rama. Statues of Airavata Elephant with four heads are in road junctions. All these points to Hindu origin rather than Buddhist origin of Mother Earth.

Atharvana Veda has the oldest song on Mother Earth with a long and beautiful description.

Evil Mara attacking Buddha with temptations of Desire

Mother Earth in Politics and  Water Board of Thailand

— Subham—

Tags – Bangkok, Temples, Mother Earth, Brahma, Hindu Gods, Maha Mariamman Temple,  Buddha Temple, Airavata, Sanskriit everywhere, London swaminathan visit, Thai students

TAMIL POET LOOKED LIKE A FOX.

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,300

Date uploaded in London –  23 December 2025

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia 44; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 44

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Item 278

புறநானூறு 4, பாடியவர்: பரணர், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் உருவப்பஃறேர் இளஞ்சேட் சென்னி,

In Purananuru verse 4 composed by Paranar, we see a metaphor describing the king in  the battlefield.

Blood stained sword of the Choza king- red sky;

Anklets- horns of the bull;

Shield with the holes- targets ;

Horses with red mouth- tiger that killed a deer;

Elephants- Yama, God of death;

The king riding a chariot- sun rising in the blue sea.

***

279

தாயில் தூவாக் குழவி போல
ஓவாது கூஉம், நின் உடற்றியோர் நாடே

There is a beautiful simile as well.

The countries conquered by you are wailing, crying like a motherless child.

Poet Paranar is famous for his similes and metaphors.

***

280

Very interesting story about fox headed poet

புறநானூறு 5, பாடியவர்: நரிவெரூஉத்தலையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சேரமான் கருவூரேறிய ஒள்வாட் கோப்பெருஞ்சேரல்

There are two interpretations. 1.He is from a town named Nariverūuthalai which is not correct.

2.He has a disgusting head like a fox which was cured by the king.

Here also there are two interpretations.

As soon as he saw the king, his head disease was cured by a MIRACLE. And he got normal face with normal head.

In those days kings were considered Gods. People believed that just kings could do miracles. Even Tiruvalluvar talks about such miracles. If the king rules justly, the fields will yield tremendous harvest without any effort, he said.

Second interpretation is the king helped him to get proper medical treatment.

***

281

காவல் குழவி கொள்பவரின் ஓம்புமதி,

He is also using a simile about children.

I have to tell you
something!  Protect your country like you
would guard an infant.

****

Full of Hindu Puranic Details!

Puranānūru 6, Poet Kāri Kizhār sang to Pandiyan Palyākasālai Muthukudumi Peruvazhuthi 

282

From Himalayas to Kanyakumari

Poet Kaarikizaar gives us very important details:

Eka Bharat- One India. From North to South and from East to West, One India.

Still there are some ignorant people in India who has been writing that British rule united India. But Hindu scriptures have been writing Aa Setu Himachala—From Dhanushkoti to Himalayas—

புறநானூறு 6, பாடியவர்: காரிகிழார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: பாண்டியன் பல்யாகசாலை முதுகுடுமிப் பெருவழுதி

வடாஅது பனிபடு நெடுவரை வடக்கும்,
தெனாஅது உருகெழு குமரியின் தெற்கும்,
குணாஅது கரை பொரு தொடு கடல் குணக்கும்,
குடாஅது தொன்று முதிர் பௌவத்தின் குடக்கும்,

***

283

Saluted Brahmins and Lord Shiva!

Pandya King Mudykudumi Peruvazuthi bows his head only on two occasions. When he is going around the Shiva Temple and when Brahmins bless him reciting the Four Vedas.

முனிவர் முக்கண் செல்வர் நகர் வலஞ் செயற்கே,
இறைஞ்சுக பெரும நின் சென்னி! சிறந்த
நான்மறை முனிவர் ஏந்து கை எதிரே

The word Shiva never occurs in Tamil until very late period like sixth century CE. But the poets used Blue throated, Three Eyed/Trayambaka god to mention Lord Siva. Here three eyed god is used.

***

284

Throughout Sanskrit literature particularly, Kalidasa works, we see the kings are compared to Pancha Bhutas/five elements, Dik Palakas/Eight Vedic Gods of Eight Directions and Sun and Moon. Even in Purushasukta of Rig Veda tenth Mandala we see Sun and Moon are associated with the all-pervading God.

Here the poet compared the king with sun and moon.
தண்கதிர் மதியம் போலவும், தெறு சுடர்
ஒண்கதிர் ஞாயிறு போலவும்,
மன்னிய பெரும, நீ நிலமிசையானே!

Comparison with Kalidasa

Raghuvamsa – 1-29;2-75; 3-27; 4-11, 12; 6-31, 32.

In 4-11,12 and 6-31,32 we see Moon and Sun comparison to kings in Kaldasa.

***

285 Go Loka

It looks like the poet was thorough with Hindu scriptures

He mentioned Yama;

He mentioned Go Loka (World of Cows)

He mentioned also the Sea Dug by Sagaras; that is why ocean is called Saagaram in Sanskrit

முப்புணர் அடுக்கிய Three Layers Bhur Bhuva Suvaha ; தொன்று முதிர் பௌவத்தின் குடக்கும் Ancient ocean; ஆனிலை உலகத்தானும் Go LOka –, தெரிகோல் ஞமன் போல Yama with Balance to weigh the Papa and Punya

***
286

Sanskrit words used by the poet

Nagar- Temple

Gnaman -Yama

Yaagasaalaa – Firepit Sacrifice Shed

Ulakam – lokam

Desam- theyam

Muni- munivar

(Naan marai – four vedas)

***

287

Dharma, Artha Kama, Moksha 

Four Hindu values are mentioned in Tolkappiam and Tirukkural; in fact Kural is named (Muppaal in Tamil) Dharma, Artha, Kama in the same order.

Here the commentators add one more interesting interpretation. Poet Karikizar mentioned Mokha by mention the King Circumambulating temple, mentioned Dharma by the mention of Bowing to Brahmins in Yaga sala, Kama by referring to Let your anger disappear when you see family women, and Artha by mentioning conquering enemy lands. 

To be continued………… 

Tags- Purananuru Wonders 4, Go loka, Hindu Values, Yaga Sala, bowing to Brahmins, Going round temple, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia 44, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 44