Ruled for 16 years; donated a lot to poet Perumkundrur Kizar.
He established Chatukka Bhutam; we hear many stories about Chatukka Bhutam in Tamil epic Silappadikaram.
Chatukkam is City Square.
***
Item 683 Committed Suicide
Kanaikkal Irumporai; Chozan Ko Chenganan (Red Eyed Choza) defeated this king and put him in Jail; when he asked for water the prison warders deliberately delayed it to insult him; he starved himself to death.
A great king who upheld self -respect.
All Tamil poems encourage death instead of losing one’s self-respect.
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Item 684
Anthuvan Cheral Irumporai; father of Selvak Kadunko Vazi Adan – selvak kadunko vaazi aadan.
He ruled from Karur (also called Vanji);
His enemy was Choza king Mudithalai Kopperu Narkilli.
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Item 685
Palai Padiya Perunkadunko—paalai paadiya –
Composed many poems under Palai genre.
Poetess Miss Peymakal Ilaveyini praised him.
He donated Golden Lotus to poets.
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Item 686
Marutham Padiya Ilam kadunko—marutham paadiya –
He composed many poems under Marutham genre
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Item 687 Chera Kings in Inscriptions!
Though we have lots of names of kings in the Sangam literature we need archaeological proof to confirm the details.
For the first time, we have three kings mentioned in Pukalur Inscriptions.
Following kings were mentioned in it:
Ko Adan Sellirumporai;
Perum Kadungko;
Ilam Kadungko.
From the Pathitruppattau book, scholars concluded that we have two sets of Chera Kings ruling simultaneously; they were Cheras and Irumporais.
***
Item 688
The above information from Sangam book Pathitruppathu is valuable historical information. From no other Sangam book we have such orderly information. The ruling years of each king shows that someone had collected and documented such information. The only problem is two kings ruling at the same time in two different places in Chera kingdom. If scholars sit together the problem can be solved. Already Sesha Iyer and others have written books on Chera history. But a co ordinated attempt using coins, inscriptions and Sanskrit Books is needed.
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Item 689
Among the Pandyas we have reliable information from Velvikkudi copper plates and Purananuru. We have precise information of Kaddungkon (590-620 CE) who drove out the Kalbhras, a mysterious gang. So far we can only guess who they were.
Later we have
Maravarman Avani sulamani- 620-645 CE
Senthan- 645-670
Arikesari Maravarman 670-700
Kochadaiyan Ranadheeran 700-70
Maravarman Rajasimhan – 730-765
Parantaka Nedunchadaiyan 756-815
Srimara Srivallabhan- 815-862
Varagunan II- 862-885
Parantaka Veeranarayanan- 862-905
Maravarman Rajasimhan- 905-920 CE
Chera Kings and Pandya Kings had an average 30 years ruling period which is above the average of other areas.
We did not have this much information from Sangam books about the Early Pandyas.
***
Item 690
Sangam Age Pandyas
My research shows Kalidasa knew Mudukudumi Peruvazuthi who performed innumerable Yagas and erected Yupa pillars according o Purananuru. Kalidasa in his Raghuvamsam linked the Agastya and Pandyas for the first time in literature; this Mudukudumi Peruvazuthi must have lived in the first century BCE or a little earlier. Kalidasa helps us to identify him.
Tiruvilayadal Puranam gives a complete list of Pandyas up to Tiru Gnana Sambandar 630 CE and no attempt has been made to correlate that information with other literature.
It is strange that neither Kalidasa nor Kharavela (130 BCE) mentioned Chozas or Cheras. My guess is that just after or just before Karikal Choza, Pandyas had an upper hand. Sri Lanka’s Mahavamsam also said that Vijaya got princesses from Pandya country for himself and other ministers.
–Subham–
Tags- Zoological Facts from Sangam Book, Purananuru wonders-45, Tamil Encyclopedia-85, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 85, Mountain goats, Nilgris Tahr, item 690
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Rik Veda or Rig Veda
The oldest anthology in the world; the first Veda of the four Vedas in Hinduism (the other three are Yajur, Sama and Atharva). Modern Indologists in western countries dated it between 1200 BCE and 6000 BCE. And archaeological proof for the Rig Vedic hymn is available from 1380 BCE from Bogazkoy inscription in Turkey. Freedom fighter and great scholar B G Tilak and German scholar Herman Jacobi have independently arrived at a date of 4000 BCE for the Vedas.. Hindus consider them eternal and not composed by humans. They only hear it (see it) and so the Vedic Rishis seers are called Mantra Drshtas. There are approximately 450 poets ; of them 25 are women.
It has 40, 000 lines
It is divided into TEN mandalas (books/divisions); of these six Mandalas are family Mandalas.
Another division is Eight Chapters
It has 1028 Hymns (suktas)
In those 1028 hymns we have 10,600 verses (mantras)
The number of syllables in the Rig Veda is 432,000. (The total number of years in Kali Yuga is 432,000 years. Other Yugas have the multiple of this number).
Sayana’s commentary is followed by the scholars.
The words in the RV – 1,53,826
Mandala 2: Attributed to the Grtsamada family (43 hymns)
Mandala 3: Attributed to the Vishvamitra family (62 hymns)
Mandala 4: Attributed to the Vamadeva family (58 hymns)
Mandala 5: Attributed to the Atri family (87 hymns)
Mandala 6: Attributed to the Bharadvaja family (75 hymns)
Mandala 7: Attributed to the Vasistha family (104 hymns
Mandalas one and ten contain Hymns from many Rishis.
Mandala 8 primarily contains 103 hymns dedicated to various deities, notably Indra, Agni, and the Ashvins, predominantly composed by the Kanva and Angira poet families. Mandala 9 is entirely dedicated to Soma Pavamana, containing 114 hymns exclusively focused on the purification and ritual pressing of the sacred Soma plant.
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Rishikesh
Rishikesh on the banks of holy river Ganga is at the foothills of the holy Himalayas. It is in the state of Uttarkhand. A tiny place was made known to the world by great Tamil saint Swami Sivananda who established Divini Life Society. Now it is fully commercialised and the natural beauty has disappeared. Beatles made it more popular. Now hundreds of Ashrams are doing good business in the name of Yoga.
Rishikesh is accessible by air, train, and road. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (21 km away), the primary major railhead is Haridwar (25 km away), and direct motorable roads connect it via National Highway 58.(Author London Swaminathan had been to Rishikesh twice from 1977)
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Rishyasrnga
Sage born with a horn. His father was Rishi Vibhandak. He was raised by his father in the forest. He had never seen any women in his life until Romapada, King of Anga Desa sent some courtesans to attract him and bring him to his country. In the ancient days, Rishis visit different places and their presence brought rain and prosperity. When Angadesa was under severe drought Rishya sringa’s presence saved the country. Romapada offered his daughter Shnata to the sage. Both retired to the forest and led family life. Dasaratha brought him to his country Kosala to do Putra Kameshti Yaga.
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Romaharshana
Romaharshana was an intelligent Suta or storyteller known for his engagement with sages, reflecting the tradition of oral storytelling of mythological narratives. He was the disciple of Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. “Ugrasrava, the son of L/Romaharshana, surnamed Sauti, was the one who narrated Mahabharata.
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Rtu
Ṛtu (ऋतु) refers to the “seasons”, according to the Puranas. They are six in number. A season, a period of two months. The Hindu year is divided into six Rtus/seasons. The six seasons are
1. Vasanta, or spring (Phālguna to Vaiśākha—mid March to mid May);
2. Grīṣma, or summer (Vaiśākha to Āṣāḍha—mid May to mid July);
3. Varṣa, or rainy season (Āṣāḍha to Bhādrapadā—mid July to mid September );
4. Śarad, or autumn (Bhādrapadā to Kārtika—mid September to mid November);
5. Hemanta, winter, before the frost (Kārtika to Pauṣa—mid November to mid January);
6. Śirśa, or winter (Pauṣa to Phālguna—mid January to mid March).
Kalidasa’s Rtu Samhara was the first book in the world describing seasons. Tamils also followed the Puranic six rtus.
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Rudraksha
Rudraksha (botanically Elaeocarpus ganitrus) are the dried seeds of a large evergreen tree native to the Himalayan region and Southeast Asia. Deeply revered in Hinduism and Buddhism, the name translates to “Eyes of Shiva” in Sanskrit, symbolizing spirituality, meditation, and energetic protection.
The surface of the seed features natural vertical lines or grooves known as mukhis. Rudraksha beads can have anywhere from 1 to 21 faces, with the 5-faced (Panchamukhi) seed being the most common.
Devi Bhagavatam, Siva Purana and other scriptures explain the benefits of wearing Rudraksha Mala/garland. Saivite saints wear Rudraksha malas in large number.
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Rudra
Lord Siva is worshipped as Rudra in one form. In the Rig Veda we see Siva as Rudra. In Sangam Tamil literature and later devotional literature, Rudra and Siva are one and the same. But hale baked foreigners are saying they are different. Rudra is clad in animal skins and armed with bow and arrow according to Rig Veda and Tamil literature. Rudra married Rudrani. Both Rudra and Rudrani are in 2700 year old Grammar book of Panini. Rudra’s abode is in the mountains; Till this day Mt Kailash in the Himalaya is worshipped by the Hindus. Svetasvatara Upanishad praises Rudra-Siva.
God is called Doctor and Medicine in the Rig Veda. Though mantras dealing with all Vedic Gods associate them with medicine and cure, Rudra commands the highest position in the field of Medicine. He was called Bhisak/ Doctor and Bhesajam/Medicine. Later we come across Dhanvantri, the Father of Medicine. We should call him the ‘father of MODERN medicine’. He is considered Vishnu or his Avatar.
References to Rudra in the Vedas
Yajur Veda (YV) has a part called Rudram-Chamakam. That is recited by all orthodox Saivite Hindus every day. The priests use it during Abishek of idols in all Siva Temples. Most sacred mantra OM NAMA SIVAYA and Trayambaka Mantra occur in it. God is praised as Bhesajam and Bhisak in it. But RV is older than YV.
Let us look at some of the mantras where physician and medicine occur in RV:-
1-43-2- Rudra’s medicines
1-43-4-Rudra, the possessor of healing remedies. Prayer for health and wealth.
*
Yajur Veda -Vajasaneyi Samhita 16-48; Taittriya samhita5-10-1
Prayer to Rudra for men and beasts to be prosperous and free from disease.
Prayer to obtain what health and wealth father Manu acquired
Rudra carries in his hands the best remedies.
Prayer not to kill the old men, boys, fathers, mothers, adults, foetus, and our bodies.
Prayer not to kill our sons, grandsons, and men, cows and horses.
2-33-1
Prayer for 100 years of life by Rudra’s blissful medicines. Put away far from us sickness in all directions.
One YV mantra mentioned Rudra has 1000 remedies.
***
Rudram
It is a hymn on Lord Shiva found in Yajur Veda. It is recited along with Camakam. Since Rudram is also known as Namakam, both are called Namakam -Chamakam.
In the Rudra section, Lord Shiva is praised as a great person doing various jobs. It means he controls everything in the universe. We come across the Five Lettered Mantra – panchaksharam – OM NAMASIVAYA in Rudram. So Saivites consider it most important Mantra. Orthodox Hindus recite it every day. In temples, when the Abishekam is done to the idol, Rudram is repeated.
Ati Rudram Rudra Ekadasi: When Rudram is recited 121 times (11 priests recite it 11 times) it is Rudra Ekadasi. When Rudram is recited 1331 times (11X11X11) it is Maha Rudram When Rudram is recited 14641 times (11X 11X11X11) it is Ati Rudram Sri Sathya Sai Baba performed Ati Rudram in Chennai and Puttaparthi. It was the biggest.
To be continued………………………
Tags-HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 86; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-86 , Rudra, Rudram, Rig Veda, Rtu, Rishyasrnga, Rishikesh
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xxxx
Ra words continued
Radha
Radha, the divine consort of Krishna, evolved from a minor gopi in early puranic verses into the supreme goddess of love and devotion. Her literary journey is marked by intense emotional and spiritual symbolism, shifting from a simple milkmaid to the ultimate representation of the individual soul yearning for the divine.
Puranic Literature: Texts like the Brahma Vaivarta Purana and Padma Purana elevate Radha from a cowherd girl to an eternal goddess, describing her as the feminine counterpart of the absolute truth.
The Bhagavata Purana does not explicitly name Radha as a milkmaid. However, in Book 10, Chapter 30, it describes a specific, unnamed gopi (milkmaid) whom Krishna favors and takes away into the forest during the Rasa Lila, a detail later theologians interpret as Radha. The Unnamed Gopi: The scripture describes how Krishna becomes deeply pleased with one special milkmaid who pleases Him above all others (anayārādhito nūnaṁ), which translates to “worshiping”
Poets like Vidyapati and Chandidas in Bengal, and later Surdas and Mirabai in the north, popularized Radha’s devotion in regional languages. Their literature emphasizes prema-bhakti (devotion through love), focusing on the emotional pain of separation and the mystical union of the soul.
Gatha Saptasati (circa 1st-5th century CE): An early Prakrit anthology where Radha appears as a favourite milkmaid who shares a dynamic, pastoral romance with Krishna.
Gita Govinda (12th century CE): Written by the Sanskrit poet Jayadeva, this masterpiece cemented Radha as the central figure of Krishna’s life. It explores vipralamba (longing in separation) and sambhoga (union), establishing her as the epitome of passionate, supreme devotion.
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Raghavendra Swami
Guru Raghavendra Swamy, also known as Guru Rayaru is considered to be an incarnation of the mythical Prahlada, a child and ardent devotee saved by Lord Vishnu, himself, adorning the Narasimha avatar.
Raghavendra Swamy conducted many spiritual discourses, lectures and commentaries to uplift mankind from the route of banality. He undertook many pilgrimages across the country, spreading the holy words of Srimad Madhwacharya, and the Madhwa tradition.
In his lifetime, Raghavendra Swamy came to be attributed with many miraculous acts, magical feats and philosophical achievements – from curing people of illnesses, to healing negative effects of witchcraft, to eliminating mental illnesses (like depression, suicidal tendencies, anxiety and other major disorders) and bestowing people with the most desired boons, fulfilling wishes and redeeming mankind. The Raghavendra Swami mantra recited by millions is as follows:
Poojyaaya Raaghavendraaya
Satya Dharma Rathaayacha
Bhajathaam Kalpa Vrikshaaya
Namathaam Kaamadhenuvey
पूजयाया राघवेंद्राय सत्य धर्म रतायच
भजतां कल्प वृक्षाय नमतां कामधेनुवे
Mantralayam, has the temple of Sri Guru Raghavendra, whose mortal remains are consecrated in the brindavanam there. Sri Raghavendra Tirtha was born as Venkatanatha in the town of Bhuvanagiri, Tamil Nadu, into a Kannada Madhwa Brahmin family of Gautama Gotra of musicians and scholars.
His great-grandfather Krishna Bhatta was a teacher to the renowned Vijayanagara Emperor, Sri Krishnadevaraya.
After the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, Thimmanacharya migrated to Kanchipuram with his wife Gopikamba. Venkatanatha had two siblings—Gururaja and Venkatamba. Venkatanatha’s education was taken care of by his brother-in-law Lakshmi Narasimhacharya at Madurai after the early demise of his father, and he subsequently got married.
It was in 1624, that Sri Raghavendra Tirtha became the pontiff of the Kumbhakonam Matha, which was earlier known as Vijayeendra Matha or Dakshinadi Matha, now known by the name of Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha.
After a short stay at Kumbakonam, he went on a pilgrimage to Rameswaram, Ramnad, Srirangam, and Mathura. Later, he moved westwards to Udupi and Subramanya, and then to Pandharpur, Kolhapur, and Bijapur. At Kolhapur, he is said to have stayed for a long time.
After that, he returned to Kumbakonam. By 1663 he left for Mysore where he got a grant from Dodda Devaraya Odeyar. Finally, he chose to settle down in Mantralayam. Guru Raghavendra shed His physical body in 1671 in Mantralayam. It is a village on the bank of the Tungabhadra river in Adoni Taluk in Andhra Pradesh.
Mantralayam is a renowned Hindu pilgrimage town located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is situated roughly 90 km from Kurnool and 250 km from Hyderabad, and is globally famous for the Jeevasamadhi of the revered Madhva saint, Sri Raghavendra Swamy.
Raghavendra is known as a scholar par excellence. Some of his works are mentioned below,
Tantra Deepika: An interpretation of the Brahma Sutra from the perspective of Dvaita
Mantramanjari: A commentary on the first three chapters of the Rigveda
Geetartha Sangraha: A commentary on the Gita, also known as Geeta-Vivrutti
Prameya Deepika Vyakhya: A commentary on Madhwacharya’s Geeta Bhashya
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Ramana Maharishi
Ramana Maharshi, born on December 30, 1879, in a small village called Tiruchuzhi in Tamil Nadu, India, began life as a regular boy named Venkataraman Iyer. His family was deeply rooted in traditional Hindu values, and he grew up under the care of his mother, Alagammal, and his father, Sundaram Iyer, who worked as a pleader.
Ramana was like any other child—playing, attending school, and occasionally getting into mischief.
The real transformation in Maharshi Raman’s life came at the age of 16. One day, seemingly out of nowhere, he was struck by a deep fear of death. Lying down in his uncle’s house in Madurai, he felt an overwhelming sense that his body was about to die. But instead of panicking, Venkataraman decided to face this fear head-on. He began to ask himself: What happens when the body dies? And then, more profoundly: Who is it that dies? What followed was a spontaneous and transformative realisation. He recognised that the body is just a shell, and the true self—the “I”—is eternal, beyond birth and death.
Shortly after his awakening, Venkataraman came across a book called the Periyapuranam, a collection of stories about the lives of Tamil saints. One of these stories spoke of saints who had realised the divine through their devotion to Arunachala. Reading this, he felt an almost magnetic pull toward the hill. It was as if Arunachala was calling him home.
Around the same time, he learned that Arunachala Hill was located in Tiruvannamalai, not far from his home in Tamil Nadu. The name itself had always resonated with him, but now, with his newfound understanding of the self, he felt an unshakeable urge to go there.
In August 1896, at the age of 16, Venkataraman made the life-changing decision to leave home.
He left a note for his family, stating simply: “I am going in search of my father. Nobody should grieve for me.”
With just a few coins in his pocket, he boarded a train to Tiruvannamalai. It wasn’t an easy journey. He had to endure long hours of travel, sell his jewellery to buy a ticket, and walk the final stretch on foot. But nothing could deter him. The pull of Arunachala was too strong.
When Venkataraman finally arrived in Tiruvannamalai, he went straight to Arunachaleswarar Temple, the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at the base of the hill. As he stepped into the temple, he felt a profound sense of belonging. He knew he was home.
In the early years at Arunachala, he lived in total silence and solitude. He spent most of his time meditating in caves and temples, completely immersed in the self. People who encountered him were struck by his serenity and radiance, even though he never spoke a word.
One of his early dwelling places was Virupaksha Cave, a simple cave on the slopes of Arunachala Hill. Later, he moved to Skandashram, another cave higher up the hill. These places remain sacred sites for devotees to this day, filled with the energy of Ramana’s deep meditations.
As the years passed, people began to notice this young man who radiated such peace and wisdom. Devotees started gathering around him, seeking his guidance and blessings.
By the time he was in his early twenties, he had become known as Sri Ramana Maharshi.
As more people began to recognise Ramana Maharshi as a beacon of peace and wisdom, the need for a dedicated space where devotees could gather naturally arose. What started as a few followers seeking guidance from the silent sage eventually evolved into the creation of Sri Ramanasramam, one of the most serene spiritual centres in India.
The real turning point came in 1922 when Ramana Maharshi’s mother After her passing, her body was interred near the base of Arunachala Hill. This site eventually became the foundation of Sri Ramanasramam, with a shrine built in her honour. In 1948, when Ramana Maharshi was in his late 60s, he developed a small lump on his arm that was later diagnosed as cancer. Despite the pain and the repeated surgeries, he maintained the same serene composure he had shown throughout his life.
When devotees begged him to seek advanced medical treatment or allow supernatural healing, he gently refused. His response was profound: “Why are you so attached to this body? Let it go. The real Ramana is not this body.”
On the evening of April 14, 1950, Sri Ramana Maharshi breathed his last. Devotees gathered around him as he passed away peacefully, his face radiating the same calm and serenity it always had. At the exact moment of his passing, many reported seeing a bright light streak across the sky, heading toward Arunachala Hill. For his followers, this was a sign that Bhagavan Ramana had merged with the divine.
Over the years, various structures were added to Ramana Ashram:
The Shrine of Sri Ramana Maharshi, where his Samadhi (final resting place) now resides.
The Old Hall, a simple space where Ramana would sit and interact with visitors.
Meditation halls, dining areas, and a library filled with books on his teachings.
His Teachings
1. The Self is Eternal According to Sri Ramana, the self is not something to be attained—it’s already present within each of us. The journey is about removing ignorance and recognising this eternal truth.
2. The Illusion of the Ego Ramana often spoke about the ego as the false “I” that creates a sense of separation. Through self-inquiry, this ego dissolves, revealing the true self.
Silence as the Ultimate Teaching For Bhagavan Ramana, words were secondary. He often said that silence was the purest form of communication. Sitting in his presence, many devotees reported profound inner experiences without a single word being spoken.
***
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Born as Gadadhar Chattopadhyay in a quiet Bengali village, he would later be revered as Thakur Ramkrishna by his devotees. Unlike many religious teachers who stick to one tradition, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa explored multiple paths, Hinduism, Islam, and even Christianity, not as a philosopher, but as a seeker who wanted to experience God in every form.
What makes Ramkrishna Paramhans different from many other enlightened beings is that he never sought to establish a new doctrine or movement. He did not write books or try to argue his beliefs. Instead, he lived in a way that proved the existence of the divine. His words were simple, his stories often humorous, but they carried a depth that touched even the most sceptical minds.
From a very young age, Gadadhar (as Ramakrishna was known in his childhood) showed little interest in academics. He was not drawn to traditional studies, and no amount of persuasion could make him sit with books for long. While other children were busy memorising scriptures or practicing writing, he was more interested in devotional songs, listening to stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and spending time in temples.
when playing Lord Shiva or Krishna in dramas, he wasn’t just acting, he became the deity itself. One of the most well-known incidents from his childhood was his first mystical experience. One day, while walking through the fields, he saw a flock of white cranes flying across the sky against a backdrop of dark storm clouds. The sheer beauty of the moment overwhelmed him so much that he lost consciousness and fell to the ground. When he woke up, he couldn’t explain what had happened, but he felt an unshakable peace. This was the first of many divine trances that would define his life.
His mother, Chandramani Devi, often worried about his frequent trances and unusual behaviour. At times, he would sit alone, lost in deep thought, or suddenly burst into devotional songs, unaware of his surroundings. People in the village admired his innocence and devotion, but some feared that he was too different.
When he was in his late teens, an important turning point came in his life. His elder brother, Ramakumar, was invited to become the head priest at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, built by Rani Rashmoni in Kolkata. To assist him, Gadadhar was also taken along.
It was here, at the feet of Goddess Kali, that the destiny of Sri Ramakrishna was sealed. The moment he saw the idol of Kali in the temple, something inside him awakened. He felt a deep, unexplainable connection. While others saw a beautifully sculpted deity, he saw a living presence. It was as if Kali was not just a statue, but a real mother standing before him.
Under the guidance of Bhairavi Brahmani, a female Tantric guru, he practiced Tantra Sadhana, a path often considered too extreme for mainstream Hinduism.
After Tantra, he turned to Vedanta, where he was guided by Tota Puri, a wandering monk.
Marriage to Sarada Devi and the Role of the Divine Consort
While Ramkrishna was lost in his spiritual practices, his family back in Kamarpukur was increasingly worried. His frequent trances, his strange behaviour, and his complete disregard for worldly matters convinced them that marriage was the only way to bring him back to normal life.
Marriage to Sarada Devi
After much effort, they found a match, Sarada Devi, a simple and devout girl from the nearby village of Jayrambati. She was only six years old when the marriage was arranged, while Ramakrishna Dev was in his early twenties.
when Sarada Devi grew older, she came to live with Shree Ramkrishna at Dakshineswar. By then, he had already become a well-known mystic. Many expected him to lead a traditional married life, but he saw Sarada Devi not as a wife but as the embodiment of the Divine Mother.
Sarada Devi, in turn, accepted her role as his spiritual companion. She later became known as “Holy Mother”, carrying forward his teachings after his passing. In many ways, she was the silent force behind Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, providing him with support and maintaining balance in his life
As his fame grew, seekers from different backgrounds started coming to Dakshineswar to meet him. Some were ordinary householders, while others were young men searching for deeper truths. Among them was Narendranath Dutta, who would later become Swami Vivekananda, the disciple who would take Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Dev’s message to the world.
By 1885, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa began suffering from intense throat pain. It was then discovered that he had throat cancer.
As his condition worsened, his devotees moved him to Cossipore Garden House.
His presence in Cossipore became a living lesson in detachment. He showed no fear of death, only deep, divine bliss.
Final Instructions to Disciples
Realising that his time was near, Ramakrishna Paramhansa gave his final instructions to his disciples. He passed on his spiritual power to Swami Vivekananda, instructing him to take his message to the world.
On 16 August 1886, in the early hours of the morning, Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Dev left his body. His passing was not a moment of sorrow; it was a divine departure. Even in his last moments, his face shone with an unearthly glow, as if he was merging back into the infinite.
***
Rath Yatra- Chariot Festival
Rath Yatra means Chariot festival or Car Festival.
The most famous Rath Yatra or Car Festival is held every year in Puri in Odisha in India. Nowadays it is held all over the world by various Hindu organisations. It is held for nine days. Hindu devotees in thousands pull the three chariots along the streets.
The celebration of this day starts much earlier that comprises the construction and decoration of the Raths or Chariot by numerous devotees & volunteers. The three chariots that are the highlights of the entire Yatra are pulled by strings. The chariot of Lord Jagannath which is 45 feet high, high comprises 16 wheels and is referred as Nandighosa. Balabhadra’s chariot is made 45.6 feet high with 14 wheels is called Taladhwaja. The chariot of Subhadra known as Devadalana has 12 wheels and is 44.6 feet high. All these chariots are decorated with various designs and colours by the artists of Puri that showcases their enthusiasm for the Yatra.
Two words came out of this Sanskrit word RATHA. In Tamil THER is temple chariot. It is the mirror image of Rath. English word Juggernaut also is derived from Lord Jagannath.
Hindus around the world place various deities in the chariot and pull them with huge and long ropes. Devotees on both sides of the roads worship by lighting lamps, placing garlands and offering coconut, banana, incense sticks etc. all along the routes volunteers are offered prasad (food items). In most of the places it is one day event. In Puri it is taken to a place and returns to the temple in nine days. Tribals are given an important role in it.
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Ramavatar / Ram
Lord Vishnu took many avatars/ incarnations and of them Ten Avatars are called Dasavatar. Rama’s incarnation is celebrated most among them. Different versions of Rama’s life story known as Ramayana spread throughout Asia. Kings like Rama were allowed to have more than one wife in Hindu India. But Rama vowed not even to think about second wife. This and his friendship with hunters (Guhan), monkeys (actually people with monkey symbol; Vanara= Vana + Nara= Forst People), Bear people (Jhambavan), Bird People (Jatayu), Demons (of Sri Lanka- Vibhisana) made him unique. He never went back on his words. His wife Sita became an ideal wife by accompanying him to forest where she was abducted by Ravana, demon king of Sri Lanka. Rama killed the demon, rescued his wife and returned to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh in India.
There were three great men with the name Ramdas. Samartha Ramdas lived during the days of Hindu king Veera Sivaji. He inspired Sivaji in Maharashtra to fight against the Muslim invaders. He led Sivaji in a victorious path. Chatrapati Shivaji .(1627/30–1680) ruled a vast area in the seventeenth century.
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Another great saint was Ramadas of Bhdrachalam in Telangana. He was jailed for nonpayment of collected tax money. At last Rama and Lakshmana in disguise paid the money and he was released. His compositions are sung in concerts and Bhajans. Bhadrachala Ramadasu (1620–1688), born Kancharla Gopanna, was a 17th-century devotional poet, Carnatic composer, and Tehsildar in the Golconda Sultanate. He is renowned for building the iconic Sri Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple in Bhadrachalam and composing timeless Telugu keerthanas dedicated to Lord Rama.
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Kanhangad Swami Ramdas (also known as Papa Ramdas), was born as Vittal Rao and established renowned Anandashram in Kanhangad, in the Kasaragod district of northern Kerala. He became a wandering ascetic at a young age and was an advocate of Bhakti Yoga. His teachings centre around universal love, selfless service, and the constant chanting of the Rama Mantra
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Rameswaram/ Ramanatha (swami)
Most famous pilgrimage town in Tamil Nadu. Rameswaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines spread over India. Hindus believe that they should visit Rameswaram and Kasi IVaranasi) in their lifetime. It is an island where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Siva in Linga form.
Perched at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, Rameswaram is a tranquil and sacred destination that weaves together breathtaking natural beauty with ancient pilgrimage sites. Home to the renowned Ramanathaswamy Temple, it is linked to the mainland by the impressive Pamban Bridge, a true marvel of human engineering. Rameswaram sits closest to Sri Lanka, and whispers of history suggest a bygone land bridge – the legendary Ram Setu – once connected the two nations.
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Ramtheerth, Punjab
Ramtheerth refers to Swami Rama Tirtha (1873–1906), a renowned Indian philosopher, mystic, and leading teacher of the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. He was a pioneer in bringing the message of “Practical Vedanta” to the West and extensively lectured in the United States and Japan. Born in Punjab (now in Pakistan), he was originally a professor of mathematics before embracing asceticism and retreating to the Himalayas. His life’s work, lectures, and writings are extensively documented in a seven-volume collection titled In Woods of God Realization.
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Rasa – Navarasa
The nine sentiments (navarasa) are:
vīra (heroism)
śṛṅgāra (eroticism)
adbhuta (wonder)
raudra (fury)
vṛdānaka, (shame, which is not in other Indian schools)
bībhatsa (disgust)
hāsa (comedy or humour)
karuṇā (pity or compassion)
śānta (tranquillity)
In his ancient treatise, the Natyasastra, Bharata Muni actually only defined eight rasas (aesthetic flavors or sentiments). He explained that these are evoked in the audience through the combination of bhavas (emotions), anubhavas (physical acting/gestures), and vyabhicharibhavas (transitory mental states).
The ninth sentiment, Shanta (Peace/Tranquility), was later formalized by later aesthetic scholars like Abhinavagupta in his commentary Abhinavabharati.
True Ramalinga with Vibhuti before Dravidians attack.
Written by London Swaminathan
Post No. 15,990
Date uploaded in London – 17 July 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.
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Ra beginning Words
Raga – raaga- Rāga (राग), states Monier Monier-Williams, comes from a Sanskrit word for “the act of colouring or dyeing”, or simply a “colour, hue, tint, dye”. The term also connotes an emotional state referring to a “feeling, affection, desire, interest, joy or delight”, particularly related to passion, love, or sympathy for a subject or something
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Raja – raaja-King; from this Sanskrit word English words Regal, Royal, and Tamil word Arasan etc are derived.
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Rajaraja and Rajendra Choza
Rajaraja Choza and Rajendra Choza were great Choza kings who conquered many territories up to South East Asia. Both were famous for the big Siva temples they constructed. Rajaraja built Thanjavur Big Temple (Brihadeeswar) and his son Rajendra built Gangaikonda Chozapuram temple. They supported music and dance which are known from the inscriptions they left on temple walls. They maintained a powerful navy. They controlled many parts of north India, Sri Lanka and South East Asian countries.
Rajaraja ruled from 985 CE to 1014.
Rajendra ruled from 1012 to 1044 CE.
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Raghuvamsa
DR. V. RAGHAVAN on Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsa
The Raghuvamsais the longest work of the poet, in nineteen cantos and over 1500 verses. It served as a model not only for all Mahakavyasproduced up to the recent times, but also of all Rama-kavyas. After Kalidasa, Kumaradasa, a poet of Ceylon, wrote a Rama-kavya called Janaki-harana; and Rajajekhara, the critic, remarked, using double entendre, that when the Raghuvamsastood there, only Kumaradasa and Ravana could have dared to do the Janaki-harana! The RV served also as one of the sources of the famous Tamil Ramayana of Kambar. Numerous commentaries were written on it, including some by Jain writers. The RV is also the earliest reputed evidence for the Bala and UttaraKandas being authentic parts of Valmiki’s epic, which Western scholars doubt.
The RV. is a complete work of the poet in that all his ideas in his other works are to be met with here. The whole conception of the Indian pattern of life, with its four Asramasand four Purusharthas, and several ideas which are basic to Indian thought and culture, receivea planned treatment here.
After Valmiki’s Ramayana, the RV. is the first Mahakavyato deal with the story of the epic, devoting six cantos to it (X-XV). It is well-known that among Sanskrit poets, he is foremost in treading the path blazed by the Adikavi. He mentions Valmiki as the Purvasuri who had shown him the way (1.4). In the XIV canto where Valmiki becomes a character in the story, he calls him the poet who responded to the cry of the afflicted–of Sita as well as the female bird–(Ruditanusari Kavih) (verse 70) and refers in a pithy manner to the birth of the Sloka (poetic verse) from the Soka or the sympathy of the poet roused at the sight of the bird shot down by a hunter, and speaks of him again as the poet of compassion (Kavih Karunikah, XV. 71).
In Sanskrit literary tradition, Kalidasa is renowned for his brilliant use of upamās (similes), celebrated by the famous saying upamā kālidāsasya. In his epic Raghuvamśa, the poet is widely cited as employing 1,250 similes to chronicle the legends of 29 kings of the Solar Dynasty.
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Rajasuya- raajasuuya-
Rājasūya (राजसूय) is a great sacrifice performed by a universal monarch (in which the tributary princes also take part) at the time of his coronation as a mark of his undisputed sovereignty.
Rājasūya (राजसूय).—A great yajña. Hariścandra and also Dharmaputra performed it. (Sabhā Parva, Chapters 33, 35, 84). Sangam Tamil King Choza Perunarkilli did it and it was attended by Pandya and Chera kings; poetess Avvaiyar participated in it.
After the sacrifice, on the suggestion of Sahadeva, the first honour was given to Kṛṣṇa. Śiśupāla’s protest and vilification of Kṛṣṇa who had his head cut off. In the sacrifice each brother was assigned specific functions—Duryodhana in charge of treasury, Bhīma cooking, Nakula the supply of provisions, etc. The avabhṛta bath at Gangā accompanied by divine music. Every visitor duly honoured, returned back. Jealousy of Duryodhana at the success of the sacrifice.2 The consecration ceremony of a king done by Pṛthu, Vāli and others.
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Rajoguna
Rajōguṇa (रजोगुण).— The second of the three properties of human beings; means PASSION. To this are ascribed sensual desire, worldly coveting, pride, falsehood, and pain. The other two Gunas are Satva and Tamas.
In verse Bhagavad Gita , Lord Krishna details that when Rajo guna is dominant, a person exhibits a surge in greed, intense activity, undertaking selfish enterprises, restlessness, and irrepressible desire
Sattva Guna—a mode of clarity, knowledge, and purity. You feel calm, balanced, and connected to Krishna. In this mode, you naturally seek spiritual wisdom and truth. Rajo Guna—the mode of desire, ambition, and attachment. It makes you restless, always seeking more. It’s not evil, but it keeps you bound to the cycle of karma. Tamo Guna—the mode of darkness, laziness, and illusion. It drags you down, making you avoid spiritual life.
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Ramalinga Swamikal
A controversial Tamil saint, also known as Vallalar, was born in Marudhur in 1823. He was a great poet, mystic and saint.
His poems are in his book Tiruvarutpa (tiru arutpaa). His Ashram is in Vadalur. He started Samarasa Sanmaraga Sangam. His Vadalur centre is known for two novel things. Only light/ lamp is worshipped there. And the second remarkable thing is ever burning Oven to feed all the 24 hours. He believed in nature cure and suggested a lot of herbs for a healthy life. His poems are in praise of Lord Siva and Lord Muruga. Tamil Saivite Mutts (adeenams) don’t recognise him or his poems. Anti God Dravidians are trying to get mileage out of it.
Vallalar advocated only vegetarian food like Valluvar. His compassion towards the living beings is known through his popular saying “I wither away (become sad) whenever I see withering plants”
His followers believed he did many miracles.
Four controversies:
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When he called his poems Tirumurai which is used for the compositions of great Saivite Saints of the past , Saivites objected to it. The case went upto the court. Famous Saivite scholar of Sri Lanka Thiru Arumuga Navalar led the group against him.
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The second controversy is about his disappearance. He locked himself in a room and asked his followers not to open it. But the officials forced it open after sometime and he was not there. He was said to have become Jyoti (light). His opponents said the he ran away.
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There is a new controversy now; his followers erased Vibhuti from his forehead and showed him as a Tamil Christ. But his poems are in praise of Hindu Gods only.
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Another political controversy is that the previous DMK government supported the vast Vadalur open land changed into a commercial complex.
His Teachings :
He rejected the caste system, religious divisions, and other societal norms that segregated people based on birth, status, or wealth. Instead, he championed the unity of all human beings under a divine principle he called Arutperum Jyothi, or “the Light that bestows Infinite Grace.” Ramalinga advocated the concept of worshipping the flame of a lighted lamp as a symbol of the Eternal Power.
Sathya Gnana Deepam, the Lamp of True Knowledge,lighted by him is placed within the Sathya Gnana Sabhai—Hall of Wisdom—in Vadalur. It was inaugurated in January 1872. Enshrouded by seven veils, it represents the layers of illusion that cloud our Inner Light, each veil a reminder of the barriers to realizing the profound wisdom within.
The Thiru Arutpa, also known as the “Songs of Grace,” is the most significant work of Vallalar, comprising around 6,000 verses.
Vallalar left for Mettukkuppam, a village south of Vadalur. A few sincere devotees went with him. There, in 1874, he entered a room and instructed his devotees to lock the door behind him and keep it locked. After some days, , the officials opened the door themselves. There was no one inside. Saint Ramalinga Swamigal had simply disappeared.
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Ramanujacharya -raamaanuja
Sri Ramanujacharya (1017–1137 CE) was a prominent Hindu philosopher who championed Vishishtadvaita and advocated for caste inclusion, notably converting many individuals from lower castes into Vaishnavism.
Sri Ramanuja was a Hindu philosopher born in a Tamil Brahmin family in 1017. Considered a great teacher who spread Vishtadvaita, was born in a Vadama family to Kesava Perumal Somayaji Dikshitar and Kanthimathi Ammal at Sri Perumpudur near Chennai. He lived a long life of 120 years and died in 1137. He was a great social reformer and converted a lot of people from lower castes as Vaishnavite Brahmins.
He is known for the episode where he gave the sacred mantra to all.
Sri Ramanujacharya climbed the temple tower (vimanam) of the Sowmya Narayana Perumal Temple in Thirukoshtiyur (located in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu) to give the sacred “Om Namo Narayanaya” mantra to all people regardless of their caste or creed.
Ramanuja had walked to Thirukoshtiyur 18 times to learn this secret mantra from his guru, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi. When Nambi finally taught him the secret, he warned him that sharing it with the masses would result in Ramanuja going to hell. Defying the warning out of compassion, Ramanuja climbed the temple tower and publicly declared the mantra so everyone could attain salvation. He said even if I go to hell, it does not matter; all others will be saved by this mantra.
Ramanuja had to leave Tamil Nadu and travel to different places in Karnataka to escape from his persecutors. Traditional accounts identify the Chola king Krimikanta (often associated with either Kulottunga I or Kulottunga II) as the Chola ruler who persecuted Ramanuja. Demanding Ramanuja sign a declaration that Shiva was the supreme deity, the king forced the philosopher into exile in Hoysala territory until the monarch’s death; he was protected and patronized by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana.
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Ramayana
Ramayana written by Adi Kavi Valmiki is one of the two Hindu epics. In Tami Kamban wrote Ramayana in Tamil. There are hundreds of Ramayanas written by various poets in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asian countries.
The Ramayana contains 24,000 Shlokas (metrical verses) roughly equaling to some 48,000 lines or 480,002 words of Sanskrit text. It is divided in seven sections: Adikanda or Balakanda, Ayodhyakanda, Aranyakanda, Kishkindhyakanda, Sundarakanda, Lankakanda and Uttarakanda.
It gives the story of Rama and his brothers. His aunt Kaikeyi banieshed him to forest for 14 years where his Sita was abducted by Ravana, King of Sri Lanka. With the help of Hanuman, he built a bridge to the country and killed Rabvana. Then he returned to Ayodhya, where he was born and ruled the country called Kosala from there. Valmiki Ramayana is in simple and beautiful Sanskrit. The current version is dated 500 BCE or before.
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Rambha
Rambhā (रम्भा).—General. One of the most beautiful of the apsarā women. Urvaśī, Tilottamā and Rambhā are really reputed for their beauty. Rambha in Ayurveda meant plantain stem.
Rambha in Hindu mythology is the Queen of the Apsarases, the magical and beautiful female beings in Devaloka. She is unrivalled in her accomplishments in the arts of dancing, music and love-making. She is often asked by the king of the Devas, Indra to break the tapasya of sages so that the purity of their penance is tested against temptation, and also that the order of the three worlds remains undisturbed by any one man’s mystical powers. When she tries to disturb the penance of Rishi Vishwamitra (who is doing it to become a Brahmarishi), she is cursed by him to become a rock for 10,000 years till a Brahmin delivers her from the curse.
In the epic Ramayana, Rambha is violated by Ravana, king of Lanka, who is thereby cursed by Brahma that if he violates another woman again, his head will burst. This curse protects the chastity of Sita, the wife of Rama when she is kidnapped by Ravana.
Rambhā (रम्भा) is the name of an Apsaras as mentioned in the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 28. Accordingly, “once on a time Rambhā, a fair one of heaven, came that way, wandering at will through the air from the palace of Indra. She beheld the king [Suṣeṇa] roaming in that garden like an incarnation of the Spring in the midst of a garden of full-blown flowers”.
The story of Rambhā and Suṣeṇa was narrated to king Kaliṅgadatta by a certain Brāhman in order to demonstrate that “daughters are better even than sons, and produce happiness in this world and the next”.
Stamp of Rajaraja Choza
To be continued………………………..
Tags- Rama, Ramana, Rambha, Rajaraja, Ramanuja, Ramalinga Swamikal, HINDU DICTIONARY ,part 81; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-81 ,Raghuvamsa
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
Picture of Tirumalai Nayak Mahal/ Palace from 1956 TVS book on Madurai
Those who visit Madurai in Tamil Nadu never miss the world-famous Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. For local people it is simply Meenaachchi koyil! Those who have more time will visit the famous palace of Tirumalai Nayak. For local people it is simply mahaal. Both the temple and the palace were built by the famous Nayak King Tirumalai Naayakkar. Though the temple has been there in the same place for at least 2000 years, Nayak was the one who constructed it with huge and tall and colourful towers.
Whenever our relatives visited us in Madurai, we used to take them to these places and Mariamman Teppakulam (huge tank) as well. As long as Madurai exists name and fame of the great Nayak king will survive. When we went there our favourite activity was enjoying the smoothness of the mighty tall shining white colonnades/pillars. We used to stroke it and try to hug it. Three or four boys were needed to circle it to join their hands. Nowadays the authorities don’t allow such things.
It is said that the Nayak king sought the help of an Italian architect to design the palace; but the secret of the mighty, strong, smooth colonnades is totally a local technique; it is given in a verse in Madurai Tiruppani Malai (Poem about Madurai Temple Renovation). It gives the secret behind the marble looking, strong tall colonades/pillars. The sculptors mixed lime, sugarcane juice, gooseberry, black gram, myrobalan, terminalia bellerica in a particular proportion; soaked some of them in water to get thick juice out of it. It will be good if our modern engineers or architects try this technique.
The palace called Mahal was built in 1636. At present only one fourth of the original structure remain. When it was built, it had two main parts called Swarga vilasa (Celestial Pavilion) and Ranga Vilasa. Besides these two royal residences, there were a theatre, a shrine, queens’ apartments, an armoury, a building for housing palanquins, royal music hall, a pond, gardens and quarters for relatives and workers. The rampart wall was 900 feet in length and 660 feet in width, and 40 feet in height.
Main palace has pillars 40 feet in height. An ancient description of the palace Tn tamil records that
this pavilion Swarga vilasa, is so constructed in a way that it to be said that in no other country is there a court equal to it, by reason of its splendid ornaments, their excellence, number, extent, curious workmanship and great beauty. In the middle of the hall there was a jewelled throne on which the king used to sit and reign. During the Nine Nights Festival – Navaratri Viza- Nayak used to sit there in special ornamental dress; other kings under his rule used to come and pay him homage.
Sceptre Festival
Picture by Dr A Narayanan, Sydney.
Old Picture of Tirumalai Nayak Mahal/ Palace
Like Travancore Maharajas ruling in the name of Anantha Padmanabhaswamy of Thiruvananthapuram temple, Tirumalai Nayak ruled part of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the name of Goddess Meenakshi. She was the Queen of Madurai 2000 years ago. Every year a function called Sceptre Festival was celebrated; in fact, a symbolic annual Sceptre Festival is done even today. Tirumalai Nayak combined two different festivals to unite Saivites and Vaishnavites and made Chitra Festival (April/May is Chitra month in Hindu Calendar). On the eighth day of the famous Chitra Festival, Sceptre festival was celebrated. The king would visit the temple and after special worship, receive from the hand of the goddess, the royal sceptre set with precious gems. The sceptre would be brought to the palace on the royal elephant accompanied by a great procession. The sceptre would be placed on the throne and would receive special worship from the hands of the king. The dignitaries, commanders, poets and other palace servants would receive royal gifts and royal titles on the occasion. The sceptre would be enthroned in this celestial pavilion the whole day and after due worship will be returned to the temple the next day. This function was symbolic of the country being ruled by Goddess Meenakshi, and the Nayak ruler administered the country as a servant of Goddess. Even Queen Mangammal and other successors continued this festival until the end of Nayak rule.
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Three Important Points
Tirumalai Nayak worshipped Raja Rajeswari every day in the special Puja Hall in the palace.
In the music hall 18 different types of Musical instruments were used.
The Natakasala, that is the theatre, was 135 feet long by 68 feet wide and 40 feet in height, to the centre of the roof is 70 feet. Nayak used to watch performances by the dancing damsels with the help of oil lamps and torch bearers.
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Notorious Thief Honoured and Beheaded!
One tradition says that a thief/kallan in Tamil, entered the palace by making a hole in the roof. It is said that the king used to sleep in a cot hung by long chains from hooks in the roof. The thief used the same chain to come down and steal all the royal jewels. The king promised a jagir (vast land) to anyone who would bring him the thief. The thief heard it and gave himself and claimed the award. The king gave him the jaghir and then promptly had him beheaded. For many years that chamber was used as a district court.
(A “jaghir” is a historical form of land grant in India dating back to the Islamic Sultanate and Mughal periods, where a ruler assigned the right to collect land taxes or administrative revenues from a specific district to a noble in exchange for military service or administrative duties.)
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Ranga vilasa and Ten Pillars
Once the palace had a protective rampart wall 900 feet in length, 660 feet in width and 40 feet in height. Part of the place was covered with golden sheets. Elephant ivory was used for decorations.
We can see even now ten pillars. Originally this portion was part of a big palace. There was another palace like Celestial Pavilion (Swarga Viasa) called Ranga Vilasa (Colourful Pavilion). Tirumalai Nayak’s younger brother Muthialu Nayak lived there. There is a street named Navabathkana street now. This was also part of the palace.
Thirumalai Nayak’s grandson Chokkanatha Nayak changed the capital to Thiruchi and removed the throne, costly jewels and other treasures. He even demolished some parts of the dilapidated palace and took the building materials to Thiruchi to build a new palace. He could not succeed fully in his plans.
Slowly the reminder of the buildings got more dilapidated because of the rains. In 1858, Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras, spent some money and restored the palace. Now it is maintained by the State Department of Archaeology.
FROM BANGKOK POST AND NEW YORK POST WITH MY INPUTS
BANGKOK — Two gold rings, aged around 2,000 years old, were discovered during an excavation at a new archaeological site in western Thailand, officials said.
The rings were found with human bones during an ongoing dig at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Phetchaburi province last week, the Thai government’s Fine Arts Department said in a statement.
One ring found on Thursday was engraved with characters believed to be the Brahmi script, an ancient Indian writing system.
An initial assessment by experts identified the script reading as “pusarakhitasa,” meaning “the one protected by Pushya,” said to be one of the most auspicious zodiac signs in Indian astronomy, the department said.
Pusarakhitasa= Pushya Rakshita
The other ring found with the same skeletal remains is a plain gold ring without any pattern.
Experts believe the rings’ owner may have been a merchant of the ancient Indian caste system, the Vaishyas, the department said.
The Don Yai Thong archaeological site, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of the capital Bangkok, was discovered early this year after residents found pieces of ancient bronze drums in a rice field, leading to further excavation.
The site was dated to a late prehistoric era in Thailand, a period of human settlement also known as the Iron Age, established to be around 1,500 to 2,500 years ago.
Since February, archaeologists have discovered eight human skeletons, bronze and gold jewellery, pottery, and other artifacts indicating a ceremonial burial of wealthy people or members of the society’s upper classes.
The excavation is expected to be complete in another month, with plans to showcase the archaeological finds to the public, the Fine Arts Department said.
The engraving seems to reference an “auspicious” zodiac sign in Indian or Vedic astrology
Pushya Nakshatra (the 8th lunar mansion in Vedic astronomy) is widely referred to by various regional names across India and in ancient texts. The most common alternative names include:
Sanskrit / Vedic Names: Tishya (meaning “to look” or “auspicious”) and Sidhya (meaning “to succeed”).
Regional Language Names:Poosam (Tamil), Pooyam (Malayalam), and Pushyami (Telugu/Kannada).
Modern Astronomy: It corresponds to the stars Gamma (γ) Cancri, Delta (δ) Cancri, and Theta (θ) Cancri in the Cancer constellation. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
From the time of Ashoka (the Mauryan period) through the Kushan and Satavahana eras, names ending in “Rakhit” (such as Buddharakhit, Dhammarakhit, and Sangharakhit) were very common among monks and donors in Brahmi inscriptions. The word “Pusarakhit” is formed by combining “Pusa” and “Rakhit.” In this context, “Pusarakhit” could mean “a person protected under the aegis of Pushya Star.
The other gold ring was plain, and did not have any writing. Initial hypotheses place the rings’ former owner within the Vaishya social class or varna, the third-highest of the four traditional social classes of Hindu India. The Vaishyas were commoners and worked for a living as merchants, farmers and traders.
Researchers plan to conduct 3D scans of the site and send charcoal samples to the United States for scientific dating, per the Bangkok Post.
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this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
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“P” words continued………………….
Parasurama or parshura
Parasurama was born as a Brahmana, but he developed all the traits of a Kshatriya. He became a fearless warrior and destroyed 21 Kshatriya kings; at last he was defeated by Rama. He was the youngest of the five sons of Jamadagni and Renuka. He was a very honest and obedient youth. Once Jamadagni noticing that Renuka had entertained impure thoughts in her mind, ordered his sons to kill their mother. The older four boys could not do this and Jamadagni at once ordained that they fall dead. Then came the turn of Parasurama and he obediently beheaded his mother. Being pleased with his son, Jamadagni asked him what boon he wanted. Parasurama urged that his mother and four brothers be revived and that they do not recall anything about this ordeal. This wish was granted.
Once Parasurama came to know that that king Kartavirya had forcibly taken away his father’s cow. In anger he ran after the king and killed him. Later king Kartavirya’s sons killed Jamadagni when he was alone. At once Parasurama went after them and killed all of them along with others who came to help them. His hatred towards Kshatriyas increased and he killed Kshatriyas 21 times. When his rage finally burnt out, he gave away all his possessions and went to the forest.
There must be more than one Parasurama because in two other episodes in Mahabharata he had figured; he fought with Bhisma at the request of princess Amba and they laid down their arms when their fight finished in a draw. In another episode, he caught Karna red-handed when he came to learn the weapons under the guise of a Brahmana
Rama’s meeting with Parasurama is described vividly in Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa. A bit confusing chronology unless we conclude that there were many Parasuramas.
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Pasupati
Pasupatinath Temple, Nepal.
Paśupati (पशुपति) refers to the “Lord of Paśus (animals)” and is used to describe Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.9 (“Śiva’s campaign”).—Accordingly, as Śiva became the lord of the Paśus: “On hearing these words of lord Śiva, the great soul, Viṣhṇu, Brahmā and other gods said.—‘So be it’. Hence all the gods and Asuras became the animals of the lord. Śiva became the lord of animals (paśupati). He is the person who unties the nooses of the animals. Then the name Paśupati, that bestows welfare, spread in all the worlds and became renowned. Then the celestial sages, Indra, Brahmā, Viṣṇu and others rejoiced shouting—‘Victory’.
Lord of Animals seals were discovered in the Middle East and Harappa showing a god or goddess surrounded by animals. Saints like St Fransis of Assisi is also shown this way.
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Peacock
National bird of India. Vahana of Lord Skanda/Kartikeya and Saraswati; exported to Babylonia in ancient times. Peacock figured in Aesop fables which shows that Aesop borrowed those stories from India. The bird was used in flags in Sri Lanka.
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Pearl
Hindus considered sea born creatures pearl/oyster and coral as two of the Nava Ratnas (Nine Gem Stones) used in crowns, necklaces and finger rings. Other cultures don’t have this concept. Pearl is associated with the ancient Pandya country of South Tamil Nadu. Hindus believed that pearls originate not only in oysters but also in elephants, boars, bamboos etc. Hindus believed also that the rain on a Swati Star day enter living oysters and secrete pearls. All the Hindu Goddesses and Gods have pearl ornaments. Pearl may be derived from Paral/ Pravala used in Tamil and Sanskrit.
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Pingala
Over 15 Pingalas are in Hindu scriptures.
Wife of Yadhav Uddhav;
Piṅgalā (पिङ्गला) is the name of a mind-born ‘divine mother’ (mātṛ), created for the purpose of drinking the blood of the Andhaka demons, according to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.8.
1) Piṅgala (पिङ्गल).—A deva who is an attendant of the Sungod. Sūrya (Sun-god) rides in a one-wheeled chariot drawn by seven horses and he bears in his hands two lotuses. On his right side stands the attendant Daṇḍī with an ink-pot and a writing stick and on his left side stands the attendant Piṅgala with a stick. Both these are demi god attendants of Sūrya. (Chapter 51, Agni Purāṇa).
2) Piṅgala (पिङ्गल).—A prominent serpent born to the sage Kaśyapa of his wife Kadrū. (Śloka 9, Chapter 35, Ādi Parva).
3) Piṅgala (पिङ्गल).—A sage. He was a Yajvā (priest) in the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya. (Śloka 6, Chapter 53, Ādi Parva).
4) Piṅgala (पिङ्गल).—A King of the Yaksas. He is a friend of Śiva. He acts as body-guard to Śiva who spends his time in cremation grounds. This Yakṣa gives happiness to all in the world. (Śloka 51, Chapter 23, Vana Parva).
5) Piṅgala (पिङ्गल).—A lion, who is a character in the book Pañcatantra. (See under Pañcatantra).
6) Piṅgala (पिङ्गल).—A brahmin of very bad manners. This brahmin was killed by his own wife who was a prostitute. In their next birth Piṅgala became a vulture and the prostitute, a parrot. Both had memories of their previous birth and the vulture (Piṅgala) with vengeance killed the parrot. After that Piṅgala was eaten one day by a tiger A brahmin residing on the shores of Gaṅgā read to their souls the fifth chapter of Gītā and they got salvation and entered Pitṛloka (world of the Manes). (Chapter 40, Sṛṣṭi Khaṇḍa, Padma Purāṇa).
7) Piṅgala (पिङ्गल).—A rākṣasa (demon). Once when this demon was going through a forest he met a forester. The latter got afraid and climbed up a Śamī tree. Then a branch broke and it fell on the head of Gaṇeśa sitting beneath that tree. It was an act of worship and because of that both the forester and the demon were elevated. (Gaṇeśa Purāṇa).
8) Piṅgalā (पिङ्गला).—A prostitute. (See under Ṛṣabha II).
9) Piṅgalā (पिङ्गला).—A prostitute of the country of Avantī. Piṅgalā was born as the daughter of King Candrāṅgada in her next birth because of the virtuous act she did in doing service to the sage Ṛṣabha. The King named the girl Kīrtimālinī and Bhadrāyu married her. (See under Bhadrāyu).
10) Piṅgalā (पिङ्गला).—A woman of the city of Ayodhyā. Once this woman approached Śrī Rāma with amorous intentions and Śrī Rāma who was strictly observing a vow of one-wife refused to satisfy her desire and said:—”During the incarnation of Kṛṣṇa you will be born as a servant maid of Kaṃsa and then I will in my form as Kṛṣṇa accept you.” Sītā on hearing this cursed Piṇgalā. She said “Oh beautiful woman who has approached my husband with amorous intentions, you will have three bends in your body when you are born next as the servant maid of Kaṃsa.” Piṅgalā weeping bitterly craved for pardon and then Sītā said that Kṛṣṇa would make her perfect. (Vilāsa Kāṇḍa, Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa).
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Pradyumna-
Pradyumna was the son of Krishna and Rukmini. When he was only ten days old, a demon named Shambara kidnapped him, who had a prophesy that in future he would be killed by Pradyumna. The child was thrown in to the sea where he was swallowed by a fish. And the fish eventually landed in the dinner plate of Shambara. When the fish was cut open youthful Pradyumna emerged and he was saved by Shambara’s wife Mayavati . They had a son named Anirudha who continued Krishna’s lineage. Along with his brother
Samba, he fought valiantly with king Shalwa when he invaded Dwaraka.
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Pragjyotisa- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh; once ruled by Narakasura; Krishna killed him and released the 16,000 women imprisoned by him.
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Prartana -English word Prayer is derived from Sanskrit word Prartana. Praying to God or the Prayer is Prartana.
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Pratardana
Son of king Divodasa and Madhavi, daughter of king Yayati . He was born to take revenge against king Vitahavya who had destroyed Divodasa’s entire family. At the end of his life, he ascended to swarga after giving away all his accumulated merits to his grandfather king Yayati when the latter was expelled from swarga. This Sanskrit name in Turkey (Bogazkoi) Sanskrit inscription dated 1400 BCE.
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Prutha- Another name of Kunti, wife of Pandu ,mother of first three Pandavas.
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Pulastya
One of the spiritual sons of Brahma. Once very pleased with Bhishma, he described to him the virtues of visiting various religious places of pilgrimage. These places were in turn described by Narada to Yudhishthira who later visited them in the company of Lomana rishi.
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Puloma
A danava woman who along with Kalka prayed to Brahma and obtained an indestructible city called Hiranyapura . The city could not be destroyed by devas or danavas or by gandharvas. Indra asked human Arjuna to destroy it.
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Puru
Youngest son of king Yayati and Sharmistha . After all his older brothers had refused to exchange their youth for their father’s pre mature old age caused by Shukracharya’s curse, Puru readily agreed to do so as he considered it to be his filial duty. As a result, Puru remained an old person while his father enjoyed youth. Later Yayati gave back his youth to Puru. Puru became king and his descendents were called Pauravas. He married Kausalya and they had one son named Janamejay._
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Pururava –
An ancestor of the Kuru dynasty; son of Budha and Manu’s daughter Ila. He was a very virtuous and handsome ruler. After hearing from Narada, apsaras Urvashi came to earth with the intention of living with him. He also agreed and Urvasi put two conditions,
1.He should not appear naked;
2. he should take care of her two lambs.
Since Indra missed Urvashi, he stole her two lambs and when Pururuva came naked chasing the thieves; Urvashi saw him naked. Their agreement being thus broken Urvashi went back to swarga loka; Pururuva pined for her and she also came back saying she was pregnant with Ayu. At that time, she gave birth to a set of quintuplets
Dhimana, Amavasu, Dadhsyu, Vanayu, Shatayu
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Pushkar
This city in Rajasthan is famous for its temple of Brahma.
Pushkar Lake: The heart of the town, surrounded by 52 ghats (bathing steps). Watching the evening Aarti at Varah Ghat is a must.
Brahma Temple: One of the very few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma in the entire world, making it an ultimate Hindu pilgrimage site.
Savitri Temple & Ropeway: Situated atop Ratnagiri Hill, it offers a breathtaking, panoramic view of the lake and surrounding desert.
Pushkar Camel Fair: Held annually in November, this massive festival draws half a million people for camel trading, folk music, and vibrant cultural displays
To be continued………………………………
Tags- Pushkar, Puru, Pururuva, Parasuram, Pulastya,HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 78; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி- 78
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
WORDS BEGINNING WITH “P”
Paila- one of the four disciples of Veda Vyasa. The other three are Sumantu, Jaimini and Vaiśampāyana. Paila (पैल) was taught Ṛig Veda; Bahvṛca (Ṛig Veda). He taught it to Indrapramati and to Bāṣkala; Paila was invited for the Rājasūya of Yudhiṣṭhira.
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Panchalam – paanchaalam- Modern Punjab; Land of Five Rivers
Panchali -paanchaali- Draupadi; daughter of Drupada who ruled Punjab.
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Panchatantra – 2000 year old animal stories/ fables of India written by Vishnusarma in Sanskrit . it has five principles taught to princes for a successful rule. It was translated into Persian and then spread throughout the world. It has thousands of quotations on ethics. The five principles are
The tales highlight themes of cleverness, the consequences of actions, and various life truths, making Panchatantra a significant influence on storytelling traditions, and serving as a source for adaptations in children’s literature.
Its adaptation is known as Stories of Bidpai. Fables of Bidpai is a collection of moral tales that use animal characters to convey important lessons. These stories are part of a tradition that includes the famous work Kalila wa-Dimna, emphasizing the timeless nature of storytelling in imparting wisdom.
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Pandava – paandava –
The five sons of king Pandu of Hastinapura are called Pancha Pandavas. They are
Yudhisthira – in Tamil Dharman.
Bhima – in Tamil Veeman
Arjuna –
They were born to Kunti.
Nakula – twin brother ; born to Maadri.
Sahadeva -twin brother ; born to Maadri.
They fought with their cousins Kauravas after 13-year banishment to forest and won the kingdom. The full story is in the longest epic in the world called Mahabharata.
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Pandya – paandya – Rulers of South Tamil Nadu from third century BCE. They were the patrons of Tamil language. There were three Tamil Sangams (Tamil Academies) during their rule. Their association with Agastya Rishi is mentioned by Kalidasa, the greatest poet of India. They ruled from Madurai until 13th century CE when the Muslims invaded Madurai. After Muslim’s capture of Madurai, Vijayanagara rulers invaded Madurai and dethroned them.
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Pandu- paandu-
Father of five Pandavas. He was born to king Vichitravirya’s widow Ambalika through Vyasa. As his older brother Dhritarashtra was born blind, he ruled the kingdom from Hastinapura . He married Kunti and Madri ; once he went to the forest for hunting and saw two mating deer. He shot them with arrow; but they were not deer but Kindama rishi in deer hide; they were enjoying conjugal pleasure. Kindama rishi cursed Pandu before dying that Pandu would die if he enjoys conjugal pleasure. A few years later on an enchanting spring day he approached Madri ignoring Kindama rishi’s curse. He died immediately. Madri holding herself responsible for his death left her two children Nakula and Sahadeva to be cared by Kunti and died by entering the funeral pyre.
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Pandit/ Pundit
A pandit (or pundit) is an honorary title given to a Hindu scholar, teacher, or wise man who is highly educated in Sanskrit, philosophy, religion, or law. In everyday use, it can also refer to a Hindu priest who performs rituals, or a highly skilled master of a traditional art, such as Indian classical music.
In Kashmir Brahmins are called Pandits. Original inhabitants. Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India was also a Pandit.
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Panini-paanini– World’s first grammarian. He lived in 7th century BCE according to Goldstucker. He authored the Ashtadhyayi (Eight Chapters), an exhaustive text containing nearly 4,000 sutras (rules) that define the morphological and phonetic structure of classical Sanskrit. Scholars appreciate his work for his scientific approach and crispiness. Patanjali who came several hundred years after Panini, wrote a monumental commentary known as Mahabhashyam. Together with Panini and Patanjali another grammarian Katyayana Vararuchi are praised as Three Great Munis (Rishis).
Vakyakaram Vararuchim, Bhashyakaram Patanjalim
Paninim Sutrakaramcha pranatosmi Munitrayam
He lived before Buddha and other great philosophers of sixth century BCE. Though he mentioned several great grammarians before his time, we don’t know anything about them
Panini mentioned the grammarians before his time: Upavarsha, Parasarya, Karmanda, Sakatayana, Apitali and Sakalya.
Western linguists wonder how a person can write a grammar in such a scientific way at that period. Most of the world was uncivilised at that time. But India had produced wealthy literature, quantitatively and qualitatively very high. Only when there is vast literature one can write a grammar.
In Kashmir, a king passed an order that everyone must learn Ashtadhyayi and those who passed in it were awarded 1000 gold coins each!
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Parasara
Parāśara (पराशर) is the son of Śakti and grandson of Vasiṣṭha and Arundhatī, he was born to Śakti and Adṛśyantī./ Matsya/ Satyavati Their son was Vyasa.
Genealogy. Descending in order from Viṣṇu—Brahmā -Vasiṣṭha—Śakti—Parāśara.
Millions of Hindus recite Vishnu Sahsranamam everyday where the genealogy is given as follows:
This mythical (Parijata) tree rose of the milk ocean when Devas and Asuras churned it to get Amrita. Indra took it and planted it in his garden. “Its bark was gold, and it was embellished with young sprouting leaves of a copper colour, and fruit stalks bearing numerous clusters of fragrant fruits.”
Once Narada brought a flower of this tree to Dwaraka and presented it to his friend Krishna. He waited to see to which of his wives Krishna gave the flower. The flower was given to Rukmini, and Narada went straight to Satyabhama and made a show of sorrow. On her enquiring why he was not in good cheer, the sage told Satyabhama, that he had presented Krishna with a flower of the Parijata tree thinking that she was her favourite wife and he would present it to her, but was grieved to find that Krishna had given it to Rukmini.
Satyabhama’s jealousy was roused and she asked Narada what could be done to spite Rukmini. The sage advised her to ask Krishna to bring the Parijata tree itself from heaven and plant it near her house. After giving this advice, he went back to the celestial region and told Indra to guard the Parijata tree carefully as thieves were about.
When Krishna saw Satyabhama in angry mood he asked her the reason. She told him, “You pretend that I am your favourite wife, but treat me as Rukmini’s handmaid she said, and asked him what made him present the Parijata flower to Rukmini. Then Krishna asked her what he could do in expiation. She wanted possession of the tree. Krishna immediately proceeded to Amaravati, Capital City of Indra’s Empire. Krishna stole into Indra’s grove and started uprooting the tree. The king of the gods came upon the scene and caught the thief red-handed but seeing who his despoiler was, he allowed him, after some show of resentment, to take the tree to Dwaraka, Capital city of Krishna’s empire.
Botanical Information: Two different plants are known as Parijata one is Coral Jasmine (Pavala Mallikai in Tamil) and another is Baobab Tree in Uttar Pradesh.
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Parikshit
Posthumous son of Abhimanyu. He was the only descendent of the Pandavas. When he was in the womb of Uttara, he was saved from the Brahmastra fired by Ashwattama.
Once when Parikshit went to forest for hunting. When he was thirsty, he went to the hermitage of Shamika rishi and asked for water. The rishi was in deep meditation and did not respond. Thinking that the Rishi was pretending, Parikshit placed a dead snake around the neck of the seer. When Shrungi, son of Shamika came to know this, he cursed that king Parikshit would die on the seventh day at the hands of Takshaka Naga. Despite heavy security in the palace , Takshaka hid himself in a fruit basket taken into the palace and killed him.
(Actually it was a long going fight between Krishna and tribal Nagas from the days of Kaliaya Mardhan and Khandava forest burning. It was settled and a peace agreement was signed during Janamejaya’s rule who massacred tribal nagas in the name of Sarpa Yajna. Two rishis Jaratkaru and Astika facilitated the peace agreement. Brahmins recite a mantra thrice a day referring to this peace agreement in Narmadaiyai Namah ……………………….. mantra facing North).
To be continued……………………..
Tags – HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 76; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி- 76 , Parasara, Paila, Parikshit
Having meditated on the tranquil, supreme Lord who is the consort of Uma (and) who is the Lord with three eyes and blue neck, the meditator attains (oneness with Brahman) which is the source of all beings, witness of all, and beyond all darkness.
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33
Verse 2.3.11 of the Katha Upanishad
तां योगमिति मन्यन्ते स्थिरामिन्द्रियधारणाम् । अप्रमत्तस्तदा भवति योगो हि प्रभवाप्ययौ ॥ ११ ॥
युजे वां ब्रह्म पूर्व्यं नमोभिर्वि श्लोक एतु पथ्येव सूरेः। शृण्वन्तु विश्वे अमृतस्य पुत्रा आ ये धामानि दिव्यानि तस्थुः॥
Word-by-word meaning:
युजेवांब्रह्मपूर्व्यंनमोभिः (yuje vāṁ brahma pūrvyaṁ namobhiḥ): I invoke/engage with the eternal and ancient Divinity through my prayers and salutations.
विश्लोकएतुपथ्येवसूरेः (vi śloka etu pathyeva sūreḥ): May the hymn (the praise) travel forth on the path of the wise.
शृण्वन्तुविश्वेअमृतस्यपुत्राः (śṛṇvantu viśve amṛtasya putrāḥ): Listen, all sons (and children) of immortality.
आयेधामानिदिव्यानितस्थुः (ā ye dhāmāni divyāni tasthuḥ): Those who dwell in the divine celestial realms.
Meaning
“I yoke your ancient prayer with adorations. Let my verse go forth like the path of a wise man. May all the sons of the Immortal (divine beings) listen, even those who have reached heavenly abodes.”
This verse is foundational to understanding the relationship between the divine and humanity in Hindu scripture, specifically highlighting the concept of amṛtasya putrāḥ (“children of immortality”).
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35
Shvetashvatara Upanishad 1.15–16 says
15-16 As oil exists in sesame seeds, butter in milk, water in river- beds and fire in wood, so the Self is realized as existing within the self,
As oil exists in sesame seeds, butter in milk, water in river- beds and fire in wood, so the Self is realized as existing within the self, when a man looks for It by means of truthfulness and austerity-when he looks for the Self, which pervades all things as butter pervades milk and whose roots are Self- Knowledge and austerity. That is the Brahman taught by the Upanishad; yea, that is the Brahman taught by the Upanishads. Shvetashvatara Upanishad 1.15–16;
Another translation
Like oil in sesame seeds, like butter in cream, like water in springs, like fire in firesticks, so dwells the Lord of Love, the Self, in the very depths of consciousness. Realize him through truth and meditation.
The Self is hidden in the hearts of all, as butter lies hidden in cream. Realize the Self in the depths of meditation—the Lord of Love, supreme Reality, who is the goal of all knowledge.
—Shvetashvatara Upanishad 1.15–16; translation by Eknath Easwaran
Another translation by R E Hume of the above passage
As oi in sesame seeds, as butter in cream
As water in river beds and as fire in the friction sticks
So is the soul apprehended in one’s own soul
If one looks for Him with true austerity
–SVETASVATARA UPANISHAD, P.396, THE THIRTEEN PRINCIPAL UPANISHADS, R E HUME
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Tamil Saivite saint Appar (600 CE) says in Tevaram verse in Tamil:
Like the fire in the wood, like the ghee in the milk,
the great gem like Brilliant Lord is standing obscured.
installing the pole of relationship, with the rope of
feeling, when gyrated vigorously, It (it) would appear in front.
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Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa explains it in simpler terms:
“You see many stars in the sky at night, but not when the sun rises. Can you therefore say that there are no stars in the heavens during the day? Because you cannot find God in the days of your ignorance, say not that there is no God.”
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There are pearls in the deep sea, but you must hazard all the perils to get them. If you fail to get at them by a single dive, do not conclude that the sea is without them. So also in the quest for the Lord, if your first attempt to see him proves fruitless, do not lose heart. Persevere in the attempt, and you are sure to realise Him at last.
To be continued………
Tags- God, oil in sesame, churning milk, in firewood, Svetasvatara Upanishad, Appar, Tevaram, tileṣu tailaṃ dadhinīva sarpi-
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
Picture – Lord Krishna in Yaga Fire
Purananuru wonders-35, Tamil Encyclopedia-75; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 75
Item 586 Taittriya Upanishad
Purananuru Verse two
Puranānūru 2, Poet Muranjiyur Mudinākanār sang to Cheraman Perunchōtru Uthiyan Cheralathan, Your nature is like the five elements – the earth filled with sand, the sky raised above the earth, wind that blows in the sky, fire that sweeps up the wind, and water that differs from that fire.
Earth
Wind /Air
Sky/ Vacuum
Fire
Water
Due to Tamil prosody the order is changed from the Taittriya Upanishad which is more scientific. The same verse mentioned also Brahmins’ Four Vedas, Brahmins’ Three Fires, Himalaya and Pothiyam Mountains, Mahabharata battle and so, we are sure the poet was well versed in Sanskrit scriptures. And his name is Mr Nagarajan!
Here is the Mantra from Taittriya Upanishad
Taittiriya Upanishad (Brahmananda Valli, Chapter 2, Section 1) of the Krishna Yajurveda
It outlines the creation of the universe, explaining how all elements and life emerged sequentially from the Supreme Brahman (the ultimate cosmic reality).
“From that (Supreme) Atman, space (Akasha) was born. From space, air (Vayu). From air, fire (Agni). From fire, water (Apah). From water, earth (Prithivi). From earth, herbs and plants (Oshadhayah). From plants, food (Annam). From food, the human being (Purushah).”
Space – air—fire—water—earth- -plants—food- man .
This is what scientists also tell us. Big Bang happened in Space. Then Atmosphere (air) was formed; fire subsided and oceans formed; water receded and land appeared; plants appeared and animals and men came.
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Item 587 Origin of Vahanas and Flags
Many foreign scholars dated Hindu Puranas around Gupta Dynasty which is definitely after Sangam Tamil literature. They are wrong. Because they don’t know Tamil they bluffed and Hindu scholars of British Rule period also followed them. But the Puranic stories, Epic paintings, Hindu Vahanas, Hindu Flags are in 2000 year old Tamil literature. So Puranas are older than Sangam Tamil literature.
Just a few examples:
Palmyra tree flag of Balarama ,
Garuda/ eagle flag of Vishnu ,
Piniukha vahana of Muruga/Skanda ,
Are mentioned by Nakkirar in verse 56.
We have got more references to fish flag of Manmata in Paripatal .
It is a well known fact that chera choza pandya also had flags with bow, tiger and fish pictures.
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Picture – Rama Duta Anjaneya in Yaga Fire
Item 588 Vishnudasan praised
Yaagaas , Yajnaas = Fire sacrifices
n Purananuru 166, poet Avur Mulan kizar praises one Brahmin called Vinnan Dayan.
Vinnan Daayan is the tamilized Sanskrit name Vishnu dasa. Poets surname shows that he was from the caste of agriculturists.
He got gifts, probably, after attending the Yajna . This shows that even non Brahmins attended yagas and received prizes.
The verse begins with a praise for Lord Shiva. He says Vishnu dasa was a great devotee of Lord Shiva whose mouth is always reacting Vedas .
He praised Brahmins mastered Four Vedas And Six ancillary subjects. We know that it includes grammar, astrology, etymology etc.
He also said Brahmins rejected the atheists’ argument and established One Dharma.
While praising Brahmins like this he says Vishnu dasa came in the family of who did 21 types of Yagas.(see the explanation at the bottom)
This is the one which helps us to understand RV I-164-3.
Dirgatamas, the blind poet of Rig Veda, used lots of numbers.
He says
THE SEVEN WHO ON THE SEVEN WHEELED CAR ARE MOUNTED HORSES, SEVEN IN TALE, WHO DRAW THEM ONWARD.
SEVEN SISTERS UTTER SONGS OF PRAISE TOGETHER, IN WHO THE NAMES OF THE SEVEN COWS ARE TREASURED… RV 1-164-3
Commentators interpreted the Seven as seven swaras of music, seven meters in
Prosody, seven rays of sun etc.
The three sevens may mean 3×7 Yagas. The Vedic hymn might have meant two types of cows like the Tamil poem.
Here is another mantra with Number Seven,
KNOWING THE LAW, THE SEVEN STRONG FLOODS FROM HEAVEN, FULL OF GOOD THOUGHT, DISCERNED THE DOORS OF THE RICHES.
SARAMA FOUND THE CATTLE S FIRM BUILT PRISON WHERE BY THE RACE OF MAN IS STILL SUPPORTED – RV 1-72-8.
Here also the seven floods from heaven is not explained satisfactorily.
Three Sevens are all not explained by the Vedic commentators.
So we have to review all the sevens in the verses. Sangam Tamils commentaries may help us to clear the vagueness.
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Picture- Hindu Women gathering flowers for Gods.
Item 589
27 Yagas in Purananuru
What is 3 X 7 ?
In the commentary of Puram 166,
The doyen of Tamil literature Dr U V Swaminatha Iyer listed all the 21 yagas..
They are broadly divided into three sevens and they are
Soma Yajnas 7
Havir yajnas 7
Paga Yajna 7.
(I have given all the 21 names in my Tamil article.)
What is 2 X 7 ?
And in another Tamil line of the verse two (2×7) sevens come. These are ghee made from the milk of seven domestic cows and ghee made from the milk of seven wild cows.
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Item 590
Special Dress for Yaga in Puram 166
Later the poet added that the Brahmin ladies who assisted Vishnu dasa wore special head ornaments and the gentleman wore deer skin.
Sangam Age Tamils were very familiar with the Himalayas and the Ganges river because of Kalidasa’s works. Of the 1500 images and similes of Kaliadsa, Sangam poets have used at least 200 similes. Avur Mulankizar wished the king to live a “long life like the Himalayas”.
When he praised the wife of Vishnu dasa he praised their chastity and their beauty. He added two interesting points also,
She is a woman of few words.
And she did what he said.
Here we are reminded of the saying of Greek philosopher Democritus, who said,
FEWSNESS OF WORDS IS AN ORNAMENT TO A WOMAN- Democritus.
Vishnudasa performed the Yagas, Fire Ceremonies, where
His use of Ghee (clarified butter) shamed Water
His lot of Yagas shamed the Numbers
His Spread of fame shamed the Earth
(such was his great ness, says the poet.)
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Tags- Purananuru wonders-35, Tamil Encyclopedia-75, One Thousand Interesting Facts ,Part 75, Flags, Vahanas, Yagas, Tattriya Upanishad, item 590
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Tamil and Vedas 