FALCON/ HAWK MYSTERY IN THE RIG VEDA! (Post No.9993)

Research Article WRITTEN BY LONDON SWAMINATHAN

Post No. 9993

Date uploaded in London – 18 AUGUST  2021     

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

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Two dozen foreigners commented on the Soma plant that is praised sky high in the Rig Veda ,the oldest book in the world. All of them have bluffed as much as possible with their hypotheses. They have proved themselves idiots by not answering the main questions. They showed them as ‘clever’ by comparing it with Haoma in the Zend Avesta. But for each of their guesses no evidence is given. All their statements contain ‘may be’, ‘probably’, ‘imaginary proto-proto-proto language’ etc.

What they missed the points or hiding is

1.Is there a culture who drank hallucinating drug at dawn, noon and evening? The Vedic seers clearly say that they prayed before sun rise and then two more times in a day.

2.If a society used a ‘hallucinating drug’ like this, would it survive? But Vedic culture survived and until today we see Vedic recitation of 20,000 mantras by heart.

3.How come they pray for 100 years life and grandchildren if it is a narcotic drug?

4.Why is no corresponding word in any Indo European language except the old Persian Haoma. We know H = S. But why is it that there are a few references even in the Avesta?

5.Avesta is proved to be later than the Rig Veda and why is not Soma mentioned in 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature? Sangam Tamils  mention many Vedic rites including Yupa pillar, Rajasuyam, Eagle shaped fire altar etc?

6.If the foreigners have identified the plant , as many foreigners claim, why didn’t they produce it and patent it? They could have made billions of dollars every day like coca cola.

7.Above all why is that no one has explained the connection between the falcon/hawk and the Soma plant?

This is an article to show the mysterious connection between the Soma plant and falcon or hawk. This connection deepens the mystery of Soma plant. Foreigners cleverly evade this issue.

Syena and Suparna are used several times in the Rig Veda. They are translated into English as Falcon or hawk and Eagle. Later mythology makes Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu. Garuda Purana/mythology and Garuda Mantra are used aa antidote for poison and death.

The word Syena (falcon, hawk) alone is used in over 65 mantras in the Rig Veda.

xxxx

Here are some references:

In RV 1-32-14 Indra is compared to a falcon where a mysterious number 99 comes. Rigvedic Hindus were the first people to use decimal system in the world. In the 10,000 +++ Rig Vedic mantras we have hundreds of decimal numbers. But when they named Indra as Mr One Hundred (Satakratu), why did they use 99 in many places?

Here is the mantra

When you killed the snake demon Ahi, you crossed 99 rivers like a falcon? Were you afraid? if so, where from you would seek help?

The same seer named Mr Gold Pillar (Hiranya stupan) praises Indra as a falcon in the next hymn as well RV 1-33-2

I fly to Him (Indra), the invisible wealth giver, like falcon that returns to its nest (here the seer means he flies very fast like a home coming falcon towards Indra).

xxxx

Mysterious Soma RV 1-93-6

In the first five mantras they sing about Soma plant and then in the sixth Mantra Gautama Rahugana says:–

“One of you Matariswan brought from heaven, the Falcon rent the other from the mountain”.

Griffith in his foot note says,

Matarisvan brought Agni/Fire from heaven and Falcon brough Soma from the mountain or cloud, that is, says Sayana , from Svarga on top of Mount Meru.

xxx

Ode to Bird RV 2-42- 1,2,3

We read and praise Ode to Skylark by P B Shelley and Ode o Nightingale by John Keats. But this genre of ‘ode to birds’ began in the Rig Veda. Later Sangam Tamils also followed the Rig Vedic seers. But seer Grtsamada was the first one to sing a Ode to Kapinjala bird. That is the first hymn on Brid of Omen, which is seen in many other cultures in a late period.

Here the seer prays that neither the falcon nor an eagle should kill the Kapinjala bird

Xxx

In RV 3-43-7 Rishi Gathina Visvamitra sings

“Drink of the strong pressed out by strong ones, Indra that which the Falcon brought you when you wished”

Here falcon bringing Soma is referred to.

Xxx

I ate dog meat- Rishi Vamadeva

This is a very famous Mantra which even Manu refers to in his Smrti.

RV 4-18-13

Vamadeva Gautaman says

“In deep distress (poverty) I cooked a dog’s intestines. Among the Gods I found not one to comfort?

My wife I beheld in degradation. The Falcon then brought me the pleasant Soma”.

Here Indra is praised as falcon.

But falcon bringing Soma plant is repeated throughout the Rig Veda.

xxx

RV 4- 26 and 4-27

Both of these hymns praise falcon for bringing the Soma plants:–

“Before all birds he (Indra) ranked this bird, O Maruts; supreme of falcons be this fleet winged Falcon,

Because strong pinioned, with no car to bear him, he brought to Manu the God-loved oblation. (mantra 4-26-4)”

“When the Bird brought it , hence in rapid motion sent on the wide path fleet as thought he hurried

Swift he returned with the sweetness of the Soma and hence the Falcon acquired his glory”. (5)

(This is the reason for writing a Purana on Garuda)

“Bearing the stalk, the Falcon speeding onward, Bird bringing from afar the draught that gladdens,

Friend of the Gods, brought, grasping fast, the Soma which he had taken from yon loftiest heaven “(6)

“The falcon took and brought the Soma, bearing 1000 libations with him, yea, 10, 000.

The Bold One left Malignities behind him, wise, in wild joy of Soma, left the foolish. (7)”

Xxx

Vamadeva Gautama continues in 4-27

“As I lay within the womb, considered all generations of these Gods in order

A hundred iron fortresses confined me but forth I flew with rapid speed a Falcon (4-27-1)

(Note 100 Iron Forts; Has Indus valley got ‘Iron’ Forts?)

“When with loud cry from heaven down sped the Falcon, then hasting like the wind he bore the Bold One.

Then, wildly raging in his mind, the archer Krssanu aimed and loosed the string to strike him (3)

The Falcon bore him from heaven’s lofty summit as the swift car of Indra’s Friend bore Bhujyu

Then downward hither fell a flying feather of the Bird hasting forward in his journey (4)

The mystery of falcon’s connection to Soma or hawk goes beyond fourth Mandala. I have given examples only from the first four mandalas. There are over 65 references for Syena alone. I will deal with Suparna (Eagle, Garuda) separately.

My conclusion

The Falcon’s link to Soma is not explained by anyone satisfactorily. This mystery continues in Garuda Purana, where Garuda bringing Amrita instead of Soma.

Soma is a not a narcotic drug. No drug addict will waste it by pouring into fire three times day. If it is a rare and expensive  drug they would have consumed it gladly and that degraded society would have died by this time.

More over the drug addicts don’t need to spread cut Dharbaa grass in an orderly fshin before Fire and invoke Gods to drink it. We see the violence and suicides that follow the addicts of drug or drinking in the Western Society. On the contrary, the Vedic seers who drank Soma elixir lived 100 years singing the Glory of God.

Long Live Soma Elixir.

–subham–

tags-falcon, hawk, Syena, Rig Veda, Soma 

Eagle in the Rig Veda and Egyptian Civilization (Post No.3672)

Most Imporatnt Vahana of Vishnu Temples

 

Research Article Written by London swaminathan

 

Date: 26 FEBRUARY 2017

 

Time uploaded in London:- 17-21

 

Post No. 3672

 

Pictures are taken from various sources; thanks.

 

contact; swami_48@yahoo.com

 

In the Rig Veda and the Egyptian literature Eagle or falcon was mentioned. Rig Veda is the oldest book in the world if we go by the dating of Herman Jacobi and BG Tilak.  Both used the astronomical data in the Veda independently and arrived at the same date, around 4500 BCE.

Picture of Eagle shaped Vedic Fire Altar

 

Hindus and Egyptians identified eagle or falcon with death and immortality. Both identified the bird with divinities and kingship. They praised the eagle or falcon sky-high. The beliefs were same.

 

In ancient Egypt, the falcon was a royal symbol, because the gaze was said to have paralyze birds as such the countenance of the Pharaoh his enemies. It was the manifestation of Sky God Horus, presumably because the bird flew so high.

 

Rig Vedic Reference:

Syena (eagle) is described as a strong bird in the Rig Veda (1-32-14; 1-33-2; 1-118-11; 1-163-1; 1-165-2; 2-42-2; 4-38-5 etc In the other Vedas lot of references are there.

Saghan is mentioned in Tattiriya Brahmana; it may be a vulture or an eagle.

Su-parna means well-winged and is mentioned in RV 1-164-20; 2-42-2; 4-26-4;8-100-8;10-48-3 etc

In the RV 4-26, 4-27 falcon is praised. But the full meaning is not explained in the translation. It may be the seed for later stories of Garuda and Amrita and Garuda and death and immortality.

(I am afraid there is no scholar at present to explain the significace of eagle in the Vedas. For example, there is one hymn addressed to The Falcon (4-27). No proper explanation is found in any book. Probably this is the only hymn addressed to falcon in ancient civilizations)

The Satapata Brahmana (12-2-3-7) praises eagle as Maha Suparna, i.e. Great Eagle

Roman eagle discovered in London Aldgate area.

In Rome

When Roman emperors were cremated ritually, an eagle was released above the funeral pyre to indicate that the soul has gone to dwell among the gods. One old Babylonian text tells us of the ascension of King Etana borne into the heavens by an eagle.

 

In fact, it is a Hindu belief. Hindus read the Garuda (Eagle) Purana during the 13 day mourning period after the death of a near and dear relative. Of the 18 major Puranas (Hindu Mythology), Garuda Purana is the only one that has got a special funeral liturgy called Pretakanda. Garuda (eagle) was the one who brought Amrita according to a Hindu story and so it symbolised immortality. Bird is always associated with the soul in Hindu literature.

 

Tamil Veda Tirukkural

Tamil Veda Tirukkural confirms it with a couplet:

The affinity of the body and the soul is like that of the nest and a bird in it. The soul departs from the body even as the chick deserts the nest – Tirukkural 338.

It is in Sangam Literature as well:

Tamil poet Kalladanar says in Akam 113:

“Oh, my friend! I won’t cry if my soul (life) leaves my body and goes to the place where my lover is working, like the bird that deserts its desolate nest and flies away”- said by a woman to her friend.

 

So, this is a Hindu concept of soul which is seen in many Hindu scriptures including Manu smrti and Bhagavad Gita with different similes.

 

Eagle is associated with Sun God in several cultures. In Palmyra in Syria, the eagle was associated with the Sun God.

Egyptian God Horus from Wikipedia

Garuda Vahana in Egypt

Horus is Sky god in Egypt recorded from 3000 BCE. Horus symbol is falcon, and he is generally depicted either wholly or in human form with a falcon’s head, exactly like Hindu’s Garuda Vahana.

Other divinities similarly portrayed were the Sun God Rue; Mentu, with adouble crown of feathers; Seker the god of the dead (as a mummified hawk); Hariese with the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

 

Horus is a form of the sun god. The alternative name Harakhti translates Horus of the horizon. He is sometimes depicted as a sun disc mounted between falcon’s wings. Kings are identified with Horus.

 

Horus as a baby on her mother Isis’ knee is as an amulet against snakes and other animals. In Hindu scriptures Garda mantra is used against snakes.

In many countries, such as Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia, India Garuda emblems are used.

The noticeable marking in the feathers under the hawk’s eyes is called Udjat-eye. This is Horus’ all seeing Udjat eye which became a symbol for visual acuity and imperviousness to injury as well as treasured amulet.

 

Assyrian Eagle Genie, 883 BCE (May be Garuda carrying amrita)

 

Christian World

Gothic windows portray the eagle carrying its unfledged young up into the sky to teach them to gaze into the sun. It figures in Norse mythology Odin. In Europe several saints have falcon as their symbol.

In Christian iconography, the eagle appears frequently as a symbol of  john the Evangelist, as an attribute of ascended phrophet Elijah and the resurrected Christ.

 

Quauhtli (eagle) is the 15th of the 20 days of the Aztec calendar. In ancient China it was the symbol of power and strength.

 

In Tamil Nadu, King Karikal Choza constructed an eagle shaped fire altar (Yaha Gunda) to perform a yaga according to Purananuru (verse 224). In Kerala even today eagle shaped fire altars are constructed for Atiratra  fire ceremony.

Eagle Vahana (Mount of God in processions) of Hindu temples

 

Eagle in Mahabharata similes

Bhima and Sikhandin wander about in the battlefield enraged like an eagle (6-78-28).

The Pandavas rush towards Jayadratha’s army as an eagle rushes towards meat (3-253-24)

The Pandavas and Kauravas fight like two  eagles fighting for meat (6-111-42)

I have already given the story of Garuda and Vinata as found in the epic.

 

Conclusion:

All ancient cultures used eagle, hawk and falcon as symbols of power and might.

But there are more similarities between Vedic and Egyptian cultures in attributing divinity to eagles.

Both identified eagle with Sun and Death and Immortality.

 

All other civilizations that used falcon and eagle have dies long ago and gone into museums. But the culture is still alive in Hindu India.

 

There are innumerable towns named after eagle and falcon; there are hundreds of temples where Eagle Vahana is use to carry Lord Vishnu’s idol.

 

Garuda is worshipped by villagers and sight of it is considered an auspicious sign.

Garuda Hymns and Mantra are used as anti-dotes for poison.

Rig Vedic hymns, the oldest in the world are still used!

 

(Please see below my previous articles on this subject)

 

Eagles fed at Tirukkazuku Kundram in Tamil Nadu Temple

 

Books used:

Rig Veda

Sangam Literature

Dictionary of Symbolism by Hans Biedermann

Encyclopaedia of Gods by Michel Jordan

Elements of Poetry in the Mahabharata

 

From my old article:

 

Hindu Eagle Mystery deepens, 16 February 2013

 

1.Why do Hindus worship eagle (suparna=garuda) from Rig Vedic Days till today?

2.Why do Hindus including the greatest Tamil king Karikal Choza built their Yaga Kundas (Fire altars) in eagle shape?

3.How is that two eagles come to Tirukazuku kundram just to eat rice pudding everyday for over 1300 year period?

4.Why do Hindus call Emeralds as Garuda Ratna (eagle gem), which Sindbad story writer copied it from the Hindus?

5.Why a Saivaite saint sang 1300 years ago about an eagle bringing flowers to Shiva every day?

6.Why do Tamil children shout ‘Drop me  a flower please’ when they see Garudas (falcon/eagle) in the sky? Why do Hindus recite a Sanskrit hymn when they see Garuda?

7.Why does Vishnu use Garuda as his Vahana (Mount of God)?

8.Why did Rama cremate an eagle Jatayu in Ramayana? Was it eagle totem people or real eagle? Why Tamils associate this with Vaitheeswarankoil (eagle town)?

  1. Why did Eagle people and Snake people (Garudas and Nagas) fight all over the world? We have the story here in Puranas, but symbols are in Egypt and Maya civilization?
  2. How come eagle brought Soma plant for the Yagas (Fire ceremonies of Hindus)?
  3. Why did a Greek build an eagle pillar with inscription calling himself as a great devotee of Vishnu?

  

Falcon symbols in Egypt

12.Tamil Encyclopedia Abithana Chintamani ( year 1899) attributes sixteen acts to Garudas. Many of them actually belong to people with eagle totem. They were against people with snake totem (Nagas). It is the ancient history of India. One must go deeper in to it to reveal the secrets.

  1. Why do women fast on Garuda Panchami day every year?
  2. Why is Garuda Purana is associated with the departed souls? It is read in the 13 day mourning period.
  3. Indus People painted eagle in (funeral ??)  potteries, Why? Has it anything to do with Hindus reading Garuda Purana after the funeral?
  4. Why is it that Amrita (ambrosia) is linked with Garuda/suparna?
  5. In the Assyrian bas-relief in Khorsabad (885 BC) Eagle headed  winged genie is carrying a vessel of lustral water and a pine cone sprinkler. It is one of the benevolent genies that protected men from diseases and evil forces. Is it Garuda with Amrita? (see the images)
  6. Why does Jaiminiya Brahmana (Vedic literature) say that eagle separates water from milk like Krauncha (swan) bird?
  7. Why does Romulus saw an eagle on the Aventine Hill and considered it as a good omen like Hindus and keep it in front of his army? Orthodox Hindus wait for Garuda Darsanam every day.

20.Why do newspapers report sighting of Garuda as a good omen during Kumbhabishekam or any religious event?

  1. Why does Krishna say that he is garuda/eagle among birds in Bhagavad Gita (10-30)(vainatheyascha pakshinam)? Western cultures also consider eagle as ‘King of Brids’.

If I write answers to all these questions it would become a big book. I am going to answer a few of these questions in this article.

(Please read the full article for more information)

…………………………..

I have already written about Vahanas, eagle shaped fire altars of Karikal Choza, Eagle Vs  Naga clans enmity in Mayan civilization, Double headed Eagle, Garuda Sthamaba of Greek Ambassador etc. Please see the titles of the articles given below:-

Double Headed Eagle: Sumerian-Indian Connection, posted on 18 December 2011

Picture of Double Headed Eagle in Turkey (Ganda Beranada Bird of Hindu literature)

 

Eagle/Garuda in India, Rome and Sri Lanka

25 September 2014

Karikal Choza and Eagle shaped Fire Altar

14 January 2012

A Hindu Story in Sumerian Civilization

11 May 2014

Eagle shaped fire altar at Vedic ceremony

–Subham–