Saturday, January 12, 2013

Seventh Horse of the Sun


Suraj ka saatvaan ghoda..

Still remember this title from an obscure movie I had watched on Doordarshan as a kid. The movie by Shyam Benegal went on to become a classic and the phrase stayed put in some corner of my mind.. What could it have meant, the '7th Horse of the Sun'?? For that matter, why  have seven horses in the first place?

In Hindu mythology, Surya travels through the sky on a seven-horse, twelve-spoked chariot, driven by Arun (the brother of Garud), with its arrival heralded by Usha, As the Sun begins its apparent journey towards the Northern Hemisphere (Uttarayan) again, lets try to decode the mysteries of Surya and his chariot in the current post.

Surya on his chariot


A lot of people might think that this motion of the Sun mentioned in the scriptures refers to the apparent movement of Sun from East to West, but that's not the caseScriptures clearly mention that the Sun revolves NOT around the Earth but around Mount Meru!

If you check the post {Heaven at the North Pole} you will understand what it means.. Mount Meru points towards the Pole Star which, at the time scriptures were written, was a Star near the Galactic Center so effectively, scriptures indicate that our Sun revolves around the Galactic Center and NOT the Earth..  What an amazing insight!!

Uttarayan reflects the apparent movement of the Sun towards the Northern Hemisphere heralding the decline of winter while causing the opposite effect in the Southern Hemisphere. Earth revolves around the Sun with a tilt of 23.45 degrees and because of this tilt, it appears that the Sun travels north and south of the equator. 



Sankrant reflects the change of Season

This in turn causes seasons which are thus dependent on equinoxes and solstices and the festival of Makar Sankranti heralds the onset of a glorious Sun and end of the harsh winters. In many parts of the country, it is also harvest time so the celebrations take form of the regional variants like Lohri, Bihu and Pongal. 


It is interesting to note that the Indian calendar calculations began around 3rd century when Uttarayan & Makar Sankranti actually fell on the same day but since then a difference of 24 days has come in between! Today while Makar Sankranti still falls on the 14th of January the Uttarayan actually begins around 22nd of December, after the winter solstice.



   
Adityas - The 12 Solar gods

Oldest Vedic texts describe Surya alongwith 11 other brothers collectively known as the Adityas. Adityas form a group of solar deities and are so named because they are the sons of Kashyap and Aditi. They form the main body of the Hindu pantheon and are comprised of:

Ansh (Due share),
Aryaman (Nobility),
Bhaag (Due inheritance),
Daksh (Ritual skill),
Dhatri/Tvashtar (Skill in crafting),
Mitra (Friendship),
Pushan/Ravi (Prosperity),
Savitra/Parjanya (Power of word),
Surya/Vivasvan (Social law),
Varun (Cosmic fate),
Vaman (Cosmic law).

Earliest scriptures actually mention 8 or 9 of them but later in the Brahmanas the number is given as 12. It isn't difficult to understand that the 12 Adityas correspond to 12 months of the year! 

According to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak's masterpiece called {Arctic Home of the Vedas}, the change in their number reflects the gradual migration of Arya rishis from near the Pole to the tropics after the Ice Age! As they migrated closer to the tropics, the number of months when Sun was up kept on increasing till they reached the Indian sub-continent.

Interestingly, in Chinese mythology as well, there were originally ten suns in the sky, who were brothers and were supposed to emerge one at a time as commanded by the Jade Emperor. The 12 Adityas were also adopted into Japanese Buddhism as guardians of the monasteries covering the four main directions, four semi-directions, above, below and the Sun and Moon. They are known as Devas or Ten 天 in Japan (which literally means Heaven or Celestial).



The 12 Japanese Adityas


A similar depiction is found on a rock-cut cave far away in Yazili Kaya in Turkey! This rock-cave has multiple depictions of Gods and Goddesses that resemble Hindu gods. The lower chamber in this cave shows a frieze with 12 gods carved onto it who were worshiped by the people known as Hittites.


The 12 Adityas from Turkey
 
Moving westwards, it is also worthwhile to note that in most Indo-European religions, the gods worshiped were more or less the same. Thus, the Greeks called their Sun-god Helios while others named him Apollo.

The Greek Sun-god Helios/Apollo


For the Romans, the cult of Sol Invictus or 'Undefeated Sun' was supreme. Roman Emperor Constantine adhered to it so much that even when he embraced Christianity, he changed the day of Sabbath from Friday to SUN-day!!

Sol Invictus


During the heyday of the Roman Empire, there was also a grand festival of the birth of the Unconquered Sun (Dies Natalis Solis Invicti) held on the Winter solstice on December 25th. This was a sort of 'Rebirth of the Sun' and the same date was later transferred to the 'Birth of Christ' even though Jesus was actually born on the 4th of January!!

The worship of Surya was prevalent in other ancient civilizations of the world as well. Mayans (who scared the World with their 2012 Doomsday prophecy) called him Hunahpu. The Aztecs named him Tonatiuh, Japanese revered him as Chupkamui, and the Babylonians called him Aja.

The Egyptians worshiped Sun in the form of Re/Ra. In Egyptian myths of the afterlife, Ra rides in an underground channel from west to east every night so that he can rise in the east the next morning.

Egyptian Sun-god Re



In Vedas, Surya is considered in high esteem and is referred to as Surya Narayan and at various times, as the eye of Mitra or Varuna, the cosmic law-keepers. The same is reflected in Zoroastrianism where the Sun is described as the 'Eye of Ahura'

In India of course different dynasties trace their lineages from the Sun with Shri Raam as a descendant of Surya, thus belonging to the Suryavansh or the Solar Dynasty. The Ramayan also declares Surya as the father of the Vanar King Sugriv just as the Mahabharat describes Karna, as the son of Kunti and Surya. Perhaps, amongst the Aryans, the blonde, blue-eyed lineages migrating from the Steppes represented the Descendants-of-the-Golden-Sun!


Hindu Sun-god Surya
 



Surya has two wives Sangya and Chhaya (literally the shadow) and through them has the folowing children: Shani (Saturn), Yamraj (Lord-of-Death), Yamuna, Tapti, Ashwini Twins and the eldest of these Vaivasvat Manu, the First Man in the current Age or Manvantar. {For more on the First Man Manu/Adam check the following post - Manu, the First Man}

However, this is NOT TO SAY that the ancient Indians thought of the Star called SUN as a demigod and did not understand its true significance! Various Hindu astronomical treatise describe the heavenly bodies as planets or Lokas ruled by different deities. 


Surya-Loka, abode of the Sun-God



The Shatapath Brahman [7.1.1.37] states that - This World (Earth) is verily spherical and while installing the Garhapataya altar the ritualists meditate on the same. Similarly, the shlokas [7.4.1.10] and [9.1.2.40] describe the Sun as spherical. The Surya-Siddhant [12.12-29] expressly states that the Universe itself is shaped like an oblong sphere!

The references to Surya's chariot, in a similar manner, can provide us not only information about the ancient Hindus' religious and cosmological beliefs but also about their Science and Astronomical acumen! (You can find the Sanskrit version at this link {Surya Siddhanta.pdf} and the English version here {Surya-Siddhanta English.pdf}).



Chariot of the Sun-God

Various scriptures describe the Celestial chariot of the Sun. Rig Veda [1.35] says:

आ कृष्णेन् रजसा वर्तमानो निवेशयन्न अमृतं मर्त्यं च ।
हिरण्ययेन सविता रथेना देवो याति भुवनानि पश्यन ॥

Throughout the dusky firmament advancing, 
Laying to rest the immortal and the mortal, 
Borne in his golden chariot he cometh, 
Savitar, God who looks on every creature.
 
While the Greek Apollo used to ride four-horse chariot, Vedic texts clearly mention Seven horses of Surya who are called - Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti. The Rig Veda [1.164.1-5] says:  


A seven-named horse draws the three naved wheel,
Seven steeds draw the seven-wheeled chariot,
Wise poets have spun a seven-strand tale,
And glorified this Heavenly calf, the Sun. 

The immediate question that comes to mind is why SEVEN?? It was rare for Vedic chariots to have more than four horses. Even the chariot of Arjun driven by Krishna Himself had only four horses so why would the Chariot of the Sun have more than four?

Most scholars believe the seven horses represent Seven days of the week. Ancient Indians were great astronomers and this could very well be true. However, I believe, the seven horses probably also represent the Seven colors of Sunlight

There are two reasons I believe this is the case - One, the seven horses/mares of Surya's chariot are ALL of DIFFERENT Colors; Secondly, many times, they are represented as One horse/mare with SEVEN HEADS! If this is not an allegory to White light splitting into seven colors, I don't know what is :o)



 The seven horses of Surya?


 
Other scriptures talk in a similar vein and describe the chariot of the Sun-god in much detail. Although Arun-deva sits in front of the sun-god and is engaged in driving the chariot, he looks backward toward the sun-god. The chariot has a SINGLE wheel with 12 spokes and is yoked to seven horses.  

Sixty thousand saintly persons named Valkhilyas, each the size of a thumb, are located in front of the sun-god and offer him prayers. The Gandharvs and Pannags sing in front of him, Apsaras dance before the chariot while Nishachars and Yakshas follow and guard it. These seven groups of fourteen associates arrange the proper times for regular snow, heat and rain throughout the universe and are responsible for maintaining the Seasons on Earth!



 Chariot of the Sun from a Tanjore painting


Not surprisingly, a similar description is found in the description of Greek/Roman Sun God Apollo's journey across the sky and I found a very similar picture depicting this journey through the Heavens.





The Surya Siddhant further states:

'The carriage of the sun-god’s chariot is estimated to be 3,600,000 yojans [1 Yojan = 14.6 Km] long and one-fourth as wide. In his orbit, the sun-god traverses a distance of 95,100,000 yojans at the speed of 2,000 yojans and two krosas in a moment.'

Scholars have used such references to calculate the speed of rotation of the Sun as well as its revolution! The Devi Bhagawat Puraan elaborates further in a description of Mount Meru and its surroundings:

O Nârad! Mont Meru is situated towards the north of all the Dvîpas and Varshas. So whenever any person sees the Sun rise he calls that side “east.” If the Sun travels in 15 (fifteen) Ghatikâs, the distance from Indrapurî to Yamapurî, He is said to travel within that time a distance equal to 2¼ Kotis, 12½ lakhs and 25000 Yojans (22695000 Yojans). 

Here, we also find the relevance of other aspects of the Sun's chariot. The SINGLE WHEEL of the chariot represents ONE YEAR or the Samvatsar while the 12 spokes represent 12 months! The THREE-naves of the wheel more likely than not represent the three points of an elliptical orbit!

All these poetic allegories thus give a glimpse into the scientific acumen that the ancients had. The reference to Saturn (Shani) being the Son-of-Surya could even be a reference to the planet having been formed from a chunk of the gases escaped from Sun's own body mass! (Just like the Sun, Saturn and Jupiter are also gaseous giants unlike other planets of the Solar System).



Formation of the Solar System
Formation of Planets



Without the Sun, we wouldn't have existed.. not only because of the Solar energy it provides but the planets including Earth wouldn't have taken form without the gravitational power of the Sun!

Our Earth is really tiny compared to the Sun and to share another interesting allegory, you would be surprised to know that the Sun-Earth distance is roughly 108 Sun diameters and the diameter of the Sun itself is 108 times that of Earth. The ancient Rishis and Magi of Hinduism quite possibly knew this relationship as most Gods/Goddesses have 108 names ascribed to them!!

This Sankrant, let us bow to the sages of yore and their (literally) out-of-the-world insight while sending a prayer of thanks to the Sun-God who maintains our Solar System. Wishing everyone a Happy Uttarayan & a very Happy Lohri/Bihu/Maghi/Pongal and Makar Sankranti :o)




.
Aum Shanti: Shanti: Shanti:
.

103 comments:

  1. Happy Makar Sankranti to you too.
    I was waiting for a long time for a new post from you. Great article, as always.
    I was wondering if sometime you could write an article on Lord Shiva, I am a devotee of Shiva, and it would be great to know scientific aspects of his existence.
    Happy Mahashivratri as well.

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    1. Thanx @Squall and wish you the same :) will do so for sure in the next post!

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    2. By the way my name is Gaurav Tewari, I accidently sent the comment from other google account. Later I checked there was to way to edit the comment.

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    3. K thanx @Gaurav for visiting and commenting :)

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  2. Happy sankrant. The knowledge of ancestors is seriously mind-blowing stuff. The mythology of god himself passing this knowledge to first man and then on must be true.this is anyways mentioned by shri Krishna himself during his recital of Gita to Arjuna.

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  3. Then y is it that scitifically sun never sets and rises its only earth that revolves and give us day and night.Sun god rides on a charriot but sun is still in its position.the vedic text does not throw light on this

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    1. Okay let's get this straight.. Vedic texts mention the movement of Sun as being NOT around the Earth but around the Mount Meru.. If you read the post titled 'Heaven at North Pole' you will understand what it means.. Mount Meru points towards the Pole Star which at the time scriptures were written, was supposed to be one of the Stars near the Galactic Center.. so effectively, the scriptures indicate that the Sun revolves the Galactic Center and NOT around the Earth..

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    2. Y don't u write about dark matter,dark energy or gravitational energy(if there is mention of these things in our vedic text),as these are the energy keep galaxy and its solar system together in universe,which is essential for start of life. And as we all know our universe and its galaxy and other universe takes birth with lords breath, so don't u think it would be a great knowledge, as science does not know much about these energies but its there means god has created it, so there would be mention of something of these sort of thing in our text i suppose.

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    3. Its a good suggestion but I would need to really hunt a lot to get ample amount of clear references :) will try and post something as soon as I am able to do the research..

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    4. I guess you will not be able to find any such references or even if you get one it would be incomplete. This is because many texts and scriptures were DESTROYED OR BURNT during by FOREIGN INVADERS who managed to rule over the country.

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  4. I love the post spl the expanation of sun chariot having 7 horses. I heard a spiritual discourse 5 years ago where it's mentioned 7 horses are the indication of seven colors sun light has. Good job. Happy markar sakranti. Try to find more about the relevance of Indian new year Vikram samvat

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    1. Thanx a lot :) sure, maybe I'll put an addendum about the Vikrami Samvat on the Kaalchakra page

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  5. Umm... i was thinking... its 16th feb, so is there no post for feb?

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    1. Ahhh I have been asking myself the same question :) but the next post is taking some time so i guess the earliest I can post is probably the next weekend!

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    2. Why dude! You owe us two posts now! One for Dec and one for this month!

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    3. Haha indeed I do and I shall try to make up for it soon :)

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  6. This is a good forum to throw some other related thoughts like the descent of the Ganga. Is it not likely that Ganga was a comet? She brought water to a thirsty planet. Also the Akash Ganga and Ganga connection leads on to believe that she has celestial origins.

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    1. Gauri I have myself been thinking about the descent of the ganges too but haven't come to a clear understanding. that Ganga has celestial origins is pretty clear as she has been said to come from the toe of Lord Vishnu to the Kamandalu of Brahma and then on to the locks of Shiva before reaching the Earth! You have presented with a good perspective thanx a lot for the input :)

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    2. I have heard that Ganga fell to the Earth on California and a lot of other stuff about California pertaining to Hindu mythology which I study a lot.

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    3. Hi Sai, can you share those inputs here?

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  7. Stunning. But the truth is that there is really planets ruled by various Gods. Gayatri is such a elevating mantra totally dedicated to Savita / Surya. In my opinion these Gods are tangible forms of energy.
    Whatever I relish your post top to bottom. 'I AM LOVING IT.'

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    1. Haha I am loving your comments too Das :) Thanx a lot for the encouragement!

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  8. very interesting & informative, thanks for sharing...

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  9. DEAR VINEET. THANKS FOR ALL THIS RIGOROUS EFFORT YOU HAVE PUT IN FOR ALL YOUR POST. THEY ARE ENLIGHTENING.

    I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT ONE BASIC RULE OF PHYSICS WHICH YOU MUST BE KNOWING A STUDENT OF SCIENCE.

    "THE ENERGY CAN NOT BE CREATED OR DESTROYED BUT IT CAN ONLY BE TRANSFERRED OR TRANSFORMED FROM ONE TYPE TO ANOTHER AND THE TOTAL ENERGY REMAINS SAME IRRESPECTIVE OF ALL THE DIMENSIONS."

    AND AS EINSTEIN HAD GIVEN US THE FORMULA OF "E=MC2".

    IT SAYS ENERGY CAN BE TRANSFORMED FROM THE NON MATERIAL FROM TO MATERIAL FORM AND VICE-VERSA.

    NOW, THE REAL MAGIC COMES INTO PICTURE.

    THERE IS ONLY ONE ENERGY SUPREME ENERGY U CAN CALL HIM BY ANY NAME. AND ALL OTHER MATERIAL AND NON MATERIAL THING IN THIS UNIVERSE IS A PART OF THAT ENERGY AND DEPICTED OR DERIVED FROM THAT SOURCE OF ENERGY.

    WHAT OUR RELIGION SAYS ATMA = PARMATMA. ATMA IS A NON MATERIAL AND BODY IS MATERIAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE SUPREME ENERGY THE ALMIGHTY GOD THE PARAM PITA PARMATAMA. EVERYTHING IN THE UNIVERSE IN-FRONT OF OUR EYES AND AWAY FROM THE REALIZATION BY OUR SENSES, HAVING A SINGLE COMMON SOURCE.

    ALL THE MATERIAL AND NON-MATERIAL, PHYSICAL AND METAPHYSICAL, LIVING AND DEAD EVERYTHING IS JUST AND ENERGY.

    LASTLY THE WORD AUM OR OM. THE ENERGIZER WHAT I CALL IT.

    AUM...............

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    1. Thnax a lot for the encouragement Mitul and thanx a lot for the interesting comment.. As the ancients used to day - AHAM BRAHMASMI :)

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    2. Dr. Panchal...... As a follower of Gaudiya Vaishnivism, I have to something to say here. No doubt everything is transformation of Shakti or Potency or Energy whether material or non-material, but what is the source of Energy or Potency? Even in our material world there is some source of every Energy. Then what is the Source of Supreme Energy? Bhagavan or God is One and He is source of the Supreme Energy. That doesn't mean that He is different from Supreme Energy or Supreme Energy is a different 'Tattwa", but yet He is not identical with Supreme Energy just like fire and heat. This is the underlying principle of Achintya Bhedaabheda philosophy of Lord Chaitanya. Aham Brahmasmi tells that we (self) are not material but Divine, but it doesn't tell that ATMA = PARAMATMA. It's a wrong concept, as Lord Chaitanya says.. "Jiver swarupa haya KRISHNER NITYA DASA, Krishner TATASHTHA SHAKTI Bhedaabheda prakasha"..... Vineet your thought on this please....

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    3. I completely agree Mr. Mohanty :)
      Ishvarah Paramah Krishna Sachidanand Vigrahah
      Anaadir Aadir Govinda Sarva kaaran kaaranam!

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  10. Awsome that's really useful information & gives lots of knowledge to all


    thanks'
    photo of ganesh

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  11. I googled why Suraj has seven horses after watching the movie and happen to stumble upon your blog. It's really informative and will surely visit your other postings soon. Thanks! :)

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    1. Good to know the title piqued your interest in this as well :)
      thanx for visiting!

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  12. this website shows your heart -- do you know more about Ellora than what can be read on the Internet -- the meaning of these rock temples, especially of Kailas. All writing about Ellora describe the structure, architecture, reliefs and statues -- but what is Ellora's message.. ?
    thanks and best wishes.

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    1. Hi Herta.. thanx for your kindness.. most cave temples were an expression of the sculptor's creativity and his ode to the gods.. will find out more about Ellora and let you know though :)

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  13. Nice post, congrats. From what I know, the seven horses of the sun refers to seven days in a week, just as the 12 spokes of the wheel refers to the 12 months in a year.

    Please check my website too. www.theindianheritage.blogspot.com I didn't update much nowadays due to busy schedule mostly unable to do research. Maybe you can point me to some information as well.

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  14. Equality – the notion of sanatana-dharma as a basis for spiritual unity.
    Interfaith dialogue and inter-religious understanding.
    The relationship between faith, truth and opinion.

    This site is super!!


    Urmila Sharda Debi from Holland

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  15. Most of the Holland inhabitants of Indian lineage currently have Indian ancestors, who immigrated in the 20th century to the Netherlands from Suriname, a former Dutch colony in South America that attained independence from the Dutch in the 1970s.
    The Hindus have been allowed to openly practice their faith by the Dutch constitution. There are beautiful Hindu temples in the Dutch cities, where the Hindus go to express their reverence for the manifold Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The Hindus are aware of the Dutch language and haven’t attempted to terrorize the Dutch society with chauvinist demands.
    Today, the Indians are the largest racial community in Suriname, with Hinduism being a significant religion there, with several temples dedicated to Hinduism. Politically too, the Surinamese Indians are potent.

    I am a hindu girl born in Suriname. Now I live in Holland and proud to be a Hindu

    Urmila Sharda Debi from Holland

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    1. Its good to know about this Urmila :) I am glad you are a proud Hindu born and brought up outside India yet still in touch with your roots.

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  16. Hi Vineet..I was googling 'mysteries of India' when I stumbled upon your blog... I am completely hooked since then.. I am a mythology lover but have never come across such well written articles on the subject before.. Your passion and sincerity reflects in your work... Thanks a lot for all the time and effort you are taking to put this together...will keep reading everything u write...:-)God bless u..!!!

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    1. Thanks a lot for ur kind words Laxmi :)
      M glad u liked what I wrote..

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  17. Excellent post Vineet...I hav always wondered y is it that even after so much has been said and written about our civilization, the world is reluctant to accept it as the OLDEST civilization..?? Y is everyone so eager to bestow that title on Egyptian, Mesopotamian or Sumerian civilizations..?? The Indus Saraswati Civilization was not only much older than the civilizations but also far far more advanced... And Hinduism is very much the OLDEST religion... Simply because it is not a religion in the first place.. It is Sanatana Dharma- A way of life..my dream is to spread the message of Vedanta.. To open the worlds eyes to the essence of its teachings.. Thank u for all the efforts and passion u hav put into ur posts.. They hav added new meaning to my quest..:-) Hare Krishna..!!

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    1. Our dreams are the same Laxmi.. would encourage you to follow up on this dream and make it a reality :)

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    2. Laxmi, only if our countrymen had remained united throughout recorded history and remained on their toes when India faced danger from external aggressors, today we would have been writing rules for other countries to follow.

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  18. It is believed that Indus Valley religion was Jain. There are many bull inscriptions in Indus Valley which actually refer to the first tirthankar of Jains known as 'Aadinath'. The bull is the sign of 'Aadinath'. In jainism every tirthakar is given a sign. The last tirthankar was 'Mahavira' who sign was Snake. I always believed Jainism and Hinduism are related to each other. May be either Jainism broke away from Hinduism or vice versa.. Also Meru parvat an Jambudweep is mentioned in Jain texts also....

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    1. Well till date no one has been able to decipher the Indus Valley inscriptions so it is hard to say what they really mean. But you are correct in mentioning that Hinduism and Jainism are related to a large extent. In fact Aadinath Rishabhdev is considered one of the 24 incarnations of lord Vishnu in Hinduism but not many people are aware of this.

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    2. The truth is that nobody broke off. All these "isms" and related terms were made up by the British colonists to fracture the Indian society and prevent them from uniting and fighting for their country and they were 200% successful( effects are visible even today). Some evils had crept into the Brahmanical society. Mahavira did not like violence and wanted people to depend on their deeds and not God to get the required fruit( just what lord Krishna had said). So he preached non-violence and did not believe in the existence of God. He borrowed many good points of the contemporary society and then added his own points and preached them. He did not force his thoughts on anybody. He did not proclaim, "Hey boys! Look I have started a new "ism"=religion."
      Therefore Sanatana Dharma and Jainism are not different. You can say that is a sect or a part of Sanatana Dharma.
      For example: Sanatana Dharma says it is sin to practise treachery, say lies, kill an innocent person, etc. On the other hand Guru Chanakya preached that all these are perfectly acceptable if they are done to protect the motherland. We do not call this Chanakyism.
      I hope you get the point.

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  19. Sir
    Very insightful post this was. Thanks so much for sharing this on a public blog.
    I have been reading pages in Garuda Purana lately. Im not sure if one really suffers the punishments described in the book. If one does, then is the concept of Paschatapa still relevant? Can one pay for the sins committed in this very generation?

    Dr. Aniruddh Krishna

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    1. Well yes Dr. Aniruddh.. the concept of atonement of sins is present in most world religions and it is quite relevant. But it doesnt mean going to the pandits and doing puja for delieverance.. If you ask forgiveness from the bottom of your heart and rectify your mistakes that's paschatap enough..

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  20. Thank you Sir!
    Eagerly awaiting for your next post.

    Sarve janaha sukhino bhavanthu!

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  21. Hey Vineet, I for instance read your blog recently while googling for my idol from mahabharata SHRI KARNA. I know a lot about SURYA DEVA & KARNA but the fact is I dont know how Sugreeva is the son of the supreme Lord SURYA pls rply...
    PS: Thanx a lot for providing us with this wonderful information on Lord SURYA.

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    1. No problem Saurabh :)
      Just as various Devas were present in the forms of their sons in the Mahabharat war so were they present at the time of the Ramayan as well. Just like Hanuman was born of Vayu, Sugreev was the son of Surya and Vali was the son of Indra. They were all there to help Lord Rama in His journey to find Lady Sita.

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  22. I think flying was used in the scriptures as a metaphor, and it doesnt refer to actual airplanes

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  23. Well everyonez entitled to their view point :) do check the post on Vimanas though to understand the other side!

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  24. it is very informative page. I have seen for the first time.Congratulations. i was looking for the names of 7 horses of the sun and found it here.thanks

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  25. A very well compiled and insightful blog. Thanks

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  26. Awesome work ! Currently am searching for the river saraswati mythology, have you researched about that yet ?

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    1. Hi Prajakta, Thanx a lot.. kindly check the post of River Saraswati from the LABELS section on the right hand side :)

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    2. Prajakta, Friend........River Sarawati is not MYTHOLOGY. It was a river THAT ACTUALLY EXISTED IN ANCIENT TIMES.

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  27. I am a true Hindu loving all things created by God.

    Jai Ho...!!!!!!

    Urmila Sharda Debi from the Netherlands

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  28. wonderful website rich with insightful information regarding the sanatan dharma. the first page i landed on in this blog was the lokas page and i have to say the beginning verses that extolled the praise of the MOST HIGH ONE was deeply moving.

    but may i ask you that if BRAHMAN could create beings that can act as 'middlemen' between HIMSELF and men, then it must mean HE HIMSELF possesses the capacity t o communicate with men, otherwise how could HE bestow such an ability on the demigods?
    and if this is true, then the hindu worship of these "demigods" becomes redundant, am i right, given that it becomes automatically clear that ALLAH / BRAHMAN is able to hear man's calls without any aid ?

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    1. Thanx a lot 'none'.. well the purpose of demigods is not to take one's prayers to God.. they r not the messengers of God in that sense but His sub-ordinates who take care of His creations.. Men may and do pray to them for material or other benefits but it is only He who can provide freedom from this cycle of Birth and Death.. Only He can provide salvation.

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  29. i must apologize for my anonymity as it is completely unintentional. my name is bayezid , and i am a 31 year old male from bangladesh who cant seem to understand just how posting comments in a blog works.
    to continue with the discussion, does GOD having subordinates do justice to the claim that HE alone is supreme? because being supreme entails that BRAHMAN / ALLAH must also account for the sustenance of what exists.
    so according to the sanatan dharma : is GOD supreme, in case of which there is no need to heed the authority of anything else, or is the concept of GOD in sanatan dharma a compromised one ?

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    1. I think I already answered this query above bayezid bro :)
      You want to know the concept of God in Sanatan Dharma you should read the Bhagvad Gita where Shri Krishna tells Arjun that He is all that exists and to Him alone shall everyone return.. However, that does not mean we should insult or neglect people who are more spiritually advanced than us! Devas/demigods, Vidyadhars/Siddhas/Angels and Acharyas/Rishis/Sages/Apostles all belong to that category and have reached that position through their spiritual merit! The decision to follow them or not is yours but the decision to neglect what they have to say would be pure hubris.. again I would quote Bhagvad Gita where Krishna declares - All over the world people worship Me in different forms, yet, all different paths lead to Me and Me alone.

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  30. Sir
    Sun worship and magi in india are also a part of indian mythology. In Bhavishya puran samb leprosy treatment by magi are mentioned.lord Ram, rishagastya even vashishta were sun worshipper. Viswamitra having mitra in his name was also matter of great concern. Pls explain the historical connection in these sun worship fraternity..

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    1. Well sun-worship has been prevalent since ages in India especially amongst the lineage of Lord Raam who himself was a Suryavanshi.. Surya is considered as important as Narayan since he sustains all life on this planet and sunlight purifies even the darkest of alleys when it falls on it.. besides our body produces Vitamin D when the skin comes in contact with the Sun especially in the early morning hence the practice of Surya Namaskar

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  31. Absolutely marvellous !!! Vineet you are doing a great work here rationally explaining the science behind our scriptures. Keep up the wonderful work on ! God bless you with more insights.

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  32. Nice article, In our religion of Hinduism, the sun is referred to as the ‘Soul of the World’. The worship of Sun in Hinduism dates back to more than 10000 years. It is amazing to know that our ancestors were so advanced that they could identify the power of the sun and call it the 'Soul of the Word'.
    http://www.ishtadevata.com/blog/importance-sun-worship-hinduism.html

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  33. First and foremost, Vineet your writing is good and you are doing a great job. :)
    To people who find pleasure in divisions:-
    People who distinguish bhuddhism, Sikhism , Jainism etc from Hinduism, amaze me. It'll be great if they read and understand everything throughly before posting randomly derived analysis. Firstly,Aren't they all derived from Hinduism? (Rhetoric)
    Secondly, Hinduism (as our religion) as they call it, is a term coined by westerners who interpreted most of our ancient scriptures badly and translated and also published it widely- which sends a wrong message to many people world over.
    They called Hinduism our religion However, shastra and Vedas stress on Hinduism more as a way of life, mentioning various aspects of it.
    Nonetheless think we must leave some scope to accommodate others views as well.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Nature :)
      Indeed Hinduism is a foreign term and we call it the Sanatan Dharma - the Eternal Way of Life

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  34. Just curious that in scriptures sun is mentioned as a son of rishi... What does that mean... Did rishi create big bang and sun...

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    1. Hi Janhavi.. Sun or Vivasvan is the son of Kashyap Rishi and his wife Aditi. So are Indra and ten others who along with Surya-dev form the 12 Adityas. What this means is that it is not the Solar Star that was born of the rishi rather it was the Deva incharge of this particular star. And by the way this isn't a normal rishi it is Kashyap, the grandson of Brahma so his children have the capability to survive in all sorts of environments including perhaps the Sun.

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  35. nice,,, seven horses may also represent 7 chakras, different colors being different characteristics, Surya has controlled all these chakras as he was the first to receive the ultimate knowledge from Lord Krishna, then he gave this knowledge to his son Manu, our body also represents the Universe, spinal cord being mount meru and sahasrara (crown chakra) (thousand petaled lotus) being the ultimate abode of Lord, once you reveal it like lord budhha you attain God. thats why it is called aham brahmasmi,

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  36. Well I was searching Savitar The hindu god of speed! Which is showed in the show The FLash S03 ! So i want to know that, Is it true About Savitar that he is the God Of speed? or Its just Fictional?

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    1. Well Savitar is an Aditya, a solar-god and he does govern motion or movement though his major role is upholding the law of Dharma and guiding the spirits of the dead to the higher lokas.

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  37. Hi vineet,
    This is Hrushikesh.... from TNMC 99 batch
    Great article.... Commendable job...
    Just wanted to know one more thing...
    At many places it is said that Goddess Durga was born on this day to kill Mahishaasura...
    Some text mention it was during Vijayadashmi!!!
    So can you please throw some light on this!
    Thanks
    Regards
    Dr Hrushikesh

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    1. Hi Hrushikesh! Goddess Durga killed Mahishasur on Vijay Dashmi I haven't come across its link with Sankranti. Also the Goddess has appeared many times so maybe one of her appearances may have happened on this day!

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  38. Awesome work Dr.Vineet can you put some details of how earth got tilted and mars born from earth? I think meru was first written as north pole but when the earth tilted its now some where else

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    1. Yes have some thoughts on that shall share sometime :)

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  39. Great work.. Kudos

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  40. Thanks very nice blog!

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  41. I really appreciate Amount of efforts you have put into it. nice reading. more of such need. Keep posting
    Are you on twitter?

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    1. Thanks a lot :) Yes am there on Twitter with the username drumbeatsofeden

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  42. Such a beautiful article to start today's day sir. It was one of a kind article not just because of the content but also because of the world wide view you have given in it. A great read. Happy Makar Sankranti sir 😊

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    1. Thank you and Happy Makar Sankranti to you as well 🙏🏻

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  43. Thank you sir for sharing this knowledge, isse sabko ye pta chalega Vedic gyan pure world 🗺 me failya hua Hai.

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  44. Dr. Vineet, Enjoyed reading your comprehensive and valuable messages. Respects to you for all your work in this field. May I please know if there is a way to get intimated when you publish a new post.

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    1. Hi buddy I am not publishing new articles on this blog anymore you can connect for new updates on Insta or Fb or YouTube or Twitter

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