tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post971037145805248044..comments2024-03-24T16:46:26.733+05:30Comments on Indian Temples & Iconography: To the Great Trees I bow.Kavitha Kalyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00813712305535152213noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-2446232587156773172009-05-19T08:35:00.000+05:302009-05-19T08:35:00.000+05:30'I' am sorry! 'I' should have said that the Bhanjd...'I' am sorry! 'I' should have said that the Bhanjdeos hailed from the state of Orissa, located on the northeast of Bastar (in MP). And, it has Andhra Pradesh on its southwest and, therefore, noticeable presence of Andhrites in the region...JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-3623960564259001182009-05-18T13:18:00.000+05:302009-05-18T13:18:00.000+05:30If one were to look around, ie., 'outwards', for s...If one were to look around, ie., 'outwards', for some simple model of the system to help visualise the process maybe only to a small extent, a 'South Indian' perhaps has an advantage! <br /><br />Thanks to 'my wife' who was born and brought up in Bastar region** of Madhya Pradesh (now in Chattisgarh state), in the early Seventies 'I' too bought a big cooker and an equipment called 'idli maker', JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-72369260439596298202009-05-18T12:07:00.000+05:302009-05-18T12:07:00.000+05:30Eventually, a soul, or a 'seeker', cannot help but...Eventually, a soul, or a 'seeker', cannot help but look within the self, the garland of eight (8) seeds, or different appearing 'images' of dots and their projections in eight directions (making a total of 64 'yoginis' or components of stored energy within an individual) linked within the spinal column by nervous systems, the central and 2 sympathetic ones, ie., lines or threads (that too are JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-88920611393714862682009-05-17T11:01:00.000+05:302009-05-17T11:01:00.000+05:30Among 'plant life', 'I' would give maximum marks t...Among 'plant life', 'I' would give maximum marks to the mustard, a plant that has for its seed a small dark black, or red, spherical-ball-like form (close to Nadbindu in appearance). <br /><br />And, as 'I' have earlier also elsewhere discussed in detail, mustard seeds are directly used for control of ghosts, (in say Bengal/ Assam the states infamous for practice of 'black magic'), ie., 'bhootas'JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-23917390655384888932009-05-17T10:33:00.000+05:302009-05-17T10:33:00.000+05:30And, just as the Banyan is considered as teh King ...And, just as the Banyan is considered as teh King of trees, among humans the 'wise ancients' used the term 'purushottam', that is, the best among humans at a particular duration of time, eg., Rama (a model of our Sun) was considered by 'Hindus' as the best during Tretayuga, the yuga of human efficiency believably ranging between 50 to 75%, where the formless Supreme Being, the seed of the JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-36942309060367818962009-05-17T10:18:00.000+05:302009-05-17T10:18:00.000+05:30Thus, one might reach Shivlinga - with Parvati's y...Thus, one might reach Shivlinga - with Parvati's yoni acting as its root - as the Tree of all trees that is 'watered' (subjected to ablution or cleansing of the body proper by devotees), and the compound leaf of Vilva offered on its rounded top, thus the linga symbolically representing the three-in-one God (Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh, as model of formless Shiva who is responsible for the triple JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-48266233432429750962009-05-17T07:37:00.000+05:302009-05-17T07:37:00.000+05:30In a masonry structure, similarly, one can see its...In a masonry structure, similarly, one can see its roots in its foundation that connects it with the underground; its superstructure as its stem, and perhaps its dwellers as its leaves/ flowers/ fruits!<br /><br />And, similarly the seeker could imagine the Himalayan range itself as many trees that are rooted to the centre of 'earth'. And imagine Shiv-Parvati seated on the top of the tree while JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-3854552416741747312009-05-16T12:58:00.000+05:302009-05-16T12:58:00.000+05:30And, to the Vedantis, the whole universe itself is...And, to the Vedantis, the whole universe itself is the said Kalpataru, for the real Supreme Being is formless, being related with time and space zero who, however being 'perfect', is able to project His Past and review it on His mind's eye...in repetitive cycles, about 1080 times, from long duration periods, Satyuga to Kaliyuga, during one day in the unending life of the Creator or Brahma - of JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-21938136673872854632009-05-16T11:23:00.000+05:302009-05-16T11:23:00.000+05:30Maybe one doesn't link this 'kalpataru' with 'kalp...Maybe one doesn't link this 'kalpataru' with 'kalpana' that is 'imagination', or 'kalpa' also meaning about 4.32 billion years (as generally believed) as one day in the apparently unending life of Brahma that is being reviewed by Yogeshwar Vishnu/ Shiva the Bhootnath or Lord of the Past, or the three-in-one God who, being all knowing, is able to do so, while 'Apsmara Purush', the 'forgetful man',JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-55055311150775262522009-05-16T07:18:00.000+05:302009-05-16T07:18:00.000+05:30Yes i have read about the kalpataru vriksh in some...Yes i have read about the kalpataru vriksh in some of these verses but couldnt make a connect in the blog hence i didnt mention it altogetherKavitha Kalyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00813712305535152213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-24271682271599458892009-05-15T17:42:00.000+05:302009-05-15T17:42:00.000+05:30Kavitha, There is another interesting 'tree' 'I' h...Kavitha, There is another interesting 'tree' 'I' had read about in the childhood. It is called 'Kalpataru'. It was indicated as a tree that fulfils all wishes or thoughts that arise in one's head while one happens to be underneath it!<br /><br />The story had a man lost in the forest. He was tired walking almost all day but was unable to find an exit. <br /><br />He was standing under a tree whenJChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-21780110386121613902009-05-15T09:48:00.000+05:302009-05-15T09:48:00.000+05:30Now, perhaps a 'tree' could help one to visualise ...Now, perhaps a 'tree' could help one to visualise overall 'Time' reflected by say moon's cycle of rise and fall.. <br /><br />The seed, Nadbindu-like, reflecting the 'remote past', as the original seed loses its independent existence and virtually disappears once it is sown. <br /><br />And, the plant/ tree, as it germinates - thanks to care taken by the gardner/ grace of God - after lapse of JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-9212570395865037142009-05-14T20:39:00.000+05:302009-05-14T20:39:00.000+05:30Perhaps it is not necessary to elaborate it, howev...Perhaps it is not necessary to elaborate it, however, 'I' might still mention for academeic interest that perhaps the above could help correlate appearance of dreams on mind's eyes and the 'Hindu belief' about mysteriours moon's essence housed at the 'sahasrara chakra' in human head, as its source... <br /><br />It is believed reflected by the 'golden yellow' colour that generally diverts the JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-16939855265375154712009-05-14T10:20:00.000+05:302009-05-14T10:20:00.000+05:30Perhaps it is thanks to the 'family tree' that 'my...Perhaps it is thanks to the 'family tree' that 'my eldest daughter' recently told me on phone how she now recalls my words when 'her 10-yr-old dear daughter' demands something that's too dear!<br /><br />And, similarly, there is a mythological story related with 'hath-yogi Krishna', for even as an infant he was adamant and demanded to have moon, as a 'toy' he would want to play with :)<br /><br /JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-18822480720932530902009-05-13T15:04:00.000+05:302009-05-13T15:04:00.000+05:30Kavitha, 'I' have just been trying to read the min...Kavitha, 'I' have just been trying to read the mind of 'wise ancients' through the scriptures/ mythology with the background knowledge of 'science' as it gets revealed from time to time, say in newspapers, thus indicating some usefulness despite apparent garbage they contain (just like the characteristic property reflected by 'earth'!)...<br /><br />And, 'I' am at it for almost three decades nowJChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-58370158764052546122009-05-13T12:15:00.000+05:302009-05-13T12:15:00.000+05:30You sure have a very refreshing way of thought Jos...You sure have a very refreshing way of thought Joshi uncle... to equate Lord Krishna with saturn or satan(which makes the meaning entirely different) and shani with the rings of the sudarshan chakra... wow!Kavitha Kalyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00813712305535152213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-45905424685811481072009-05-13T08:50:00.000+05:302009-05-13T08:50:00.000+05:30Maybe, 'I' should have added that the hand of the ...Maybe, 'I' should have added that the hand of the 'supreme being' could perhaps be seen only by a 'seeker' in the use of 'Cross', associated with Jesus by 'Christians' and all churches the world over... <br /><br />Maybe it's a coincidence that a 'cross' appears somewhat similar to the 'Swastik', a symbol adopted by 'Aryans' both in the 'east' as well as 'west' at some point in time when the JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-7391701867084387462009-05-13T08:22:00.000+05:302009-05-13T08:22:00.000+05:30Hi Sri Subramanian, 'I' saw your post on Most Unus...Hi Sri Subramanian, 'I' saw your post on Most Unusual Churches around the World and found it a very interesting compilation of 'man-made' creations in masonry/ rocks in the 'west'...Thanks!<br /><br />Interestingly, the direction west is believably ruled by ring-planet Saturn or 'Satan' - or perhaps 'shaitan', that is, 'mischievous Krishna', also a 'sudershan-chakra-dhari', a representative or JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-91276006661260099202009-05-12T22:19:00.000+05:302009-05-12T22:19:00.000+05:30Simply beautiful ...Simply beautiful ...P.N. Subramanianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01420464521174227821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-88796511039170067722009-05-12T20:48:00.000+05:302009-05-12T20:48:00.000+05:30The ancient art of treatment of ailments using her...The ancient art of treatment of ailments using herbs and their essences developed by sages in 'ancient India' is called 'Ayurveda'. And it's in vogue in the 'present' also, maybe to a leser extent than Allopathy, since time immemorial...<br /><br />And, in fact, 'inferior animals' also seem to naturally have knowledge about it to some extent, and perhaps they might have, to a certain extent, JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-25213252113415521762009-05-12T15:39:00.000+05:302009-05-12T15:39:00.000+05:30Maybe here too 'I' should have again invited atten...Maybe here too 'I' should have again invited attention to the Gita where 'Krishna' indicates man as an 'inverted tree', whose roots are in the 'sky', unlike 'normal trees' that are rooted to 'earth' and receive raw food from it. And which is then cooked in the green leaves thanks to interaction between cholorophyll in the leaves and sunlight through the process of photo synthesis. The cooked foodJChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-43051169567023701752009-05-12T12:28:00.000+05:302009-05-12T12:28:00.000+05:30Yes, Kavitha, The 'wise ancient Hindus', (may perh...Yes, Kavitha, The 'wise ancient Hindus', (may perhaps call them as the souls very close to the Supreme Soul), understood 'life' as symbolic - having sound energy, 'oM', as universe's seed or its 'beej mantra'...<br /><br />Being an 'eccentric', 'I' can imagine small letter 'o' to represent our sun, the source of energy during the day, or the 'mysterious moon' during the night. And, letter 'M' to JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-43258526262205826332009-05-12T10:02:00.000+05:302009-05-12T10:02:00.000+05:30:) WOW!
Its sometimes so hard to believe that it ...:) WOW!<br /><br />Its sometimes so hard to believe that it is in the nature of things to behave differently under varying circumstances... <br /><br />That a small seed can give rise to a huge banyan tree... that a small sperm can give rise to a horribly complicated person... that a small word of potency can deliver one to moksha. <br /><br />Such is life.Kavitha Kalyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00813712305535152213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-40162466579174480912009-05-12T09:12:00.000+05:302009-05-12T09:12:00.000+05:30Talking of trees reminds me of a story about a lia...Talking of trees reminds me of a story about a liar and a 'spiritualist' heard repeated recently.<br /><br />It seems that one day the liar told everyone he met that he had seen God make an elephant pass through the eye of a needle!<br /><br />And, obviously, everyone laughed and enjoyed the 'joke' and shared it with others too...But, they saw the 'believer' dance in the market place with joy JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999700.post-9236669454559424352009-05-11T13:06:00.000+05:302009-05-11T13:06:00.000+05:30And, from a 'botanist', one would learn that a fru...And, from a 'botanist', one would learn that a fruit is surplus energy for the tree concerned. And, that a ripe fruit generally gets 'naturally' offered to earth for sustenance of the concerned species of plant life, either directly, or through any agency, human (like 'lion's-share'), or even 'inferior life forms' that has man at the head of the list... <br /><br />The above thought might, JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05374795168555108039noreply@blogger.com