Prtanam Some more anecdotes on Kashmir authentic : This Hindu mythological version of the origin of Kashmir is also quoted by Horace Hayman Wilson. But he adds that there are *other legends* *too* about it. He says that although some Muslim writers have copied this local Hindu story, there are historians & travelers of the rank of Abu Fazl & Bedi ud Din who connect origin of this country to monotheist religion of Prophets, Moses (a.s.) & Muhammad (s.a.w). Horace Hayman Wilson writes that according to Bedi ud Din’s *Wakaat e Kashmir*, before the Hindu Raja [Harinand] conquered the country & Hindu rule lasted for 1110 years, it was peopled by a Jewish tribe who indulged in idolatry against the teachings of Moses (a.s), so God punished them by the local inundation (converting it to satisar/big lake) & established supremacy of Jaldeo who was an Afreet/Afrit/Afat. *III* Horace Hayman Wilson further writes that Kashyap was not a Hindu seer, but a *deo* or jinn, according to Muslim writers, who under the orders of Hazrat Suleiman (a.s) “effected the desiccation of Kashmir. The method of doing this was opening a passage through the mountain at Baramullah by which the water passed off………but the *Hindu accounts do not specify the channel by Kashyap originally drained the valley*”. *IV*
Hazrat Suleiman (a.s) is supposed by the Muslims of Kashmir to have done wonders like air carrying & setting his throne on the top of hill, called *Takht e Suleimani, *Srinagar and “drained the valley through the instrumentality of one of his servants, a deo or jinn, named, Kashuf who is Kashyap of Hindu” mythology. *V* Quoting Sir William Jones & Maurice* , *Sir G T Vigne further pens down that the “whole fable of Kashyap” has an “astronomical” angle & that he was a servant of Hazrat Suleiman (a.s) & one of the earliest sages of the world who may have worked with Manu(Noah) to drain the valley. *VI* There is yet another narrative of the Buddhists that equates the myth of Kashyap Rishi with Manjusri, a character in Buddhist mythology, who is believed to have drained Nepal & Tibet to make them habitable. *VII* Sir M A Stein while dealing with the aforesaid “most dominant” Hindu narrative about origin of the valley says that those who believe that name *Kaspapiros*/*Kaspatyros* (Greek name of Kashmir) was given to the country by Kashyap Rishi or that the name of some ancient city, *Kaspapiros*/ *Kaspatyros,* which is found in the history of Greek Herodotus & Hecataeus is identical with the country have based their “*assumptions*” on mere “*whimsical etymologies*” just as the name Kashaf (Kashyap) + mar (matha) which means Kashyap’s abode. “Neither these etymologies nor the name *Kaspapiros*/ *Kaspatyros* *are in any way known to our genuine sources*”. Philogically it is “*impossible*” & “*allusions* to this legendry original of the country” are also incorrect. *VIII* The etymology of the name Kashmir is “*uncertain*”. Under Hindu mythology Kashmir is linked to Sanskrit word “Kasmira” which means to dry up water, which relates to Kashmir once having been under water. Kashmir valley may have been a giant lake or island sea that, “*as a result of an act of nature, inadvertently drained & flooded areas downstream”.** IX* Bernier too, while rejecting myth of Kashyab Rishi, writes: “I am certainly not disposed to deny that this region was once covered with water…… ; but *I cannot easily persuade myself that the opening in question ( in Baramullah mountains) was the work of a man (Kashyab Rishi),* for the mountain is very extensive and very lofty. I rather imagine that the mountain sank into to some subterraneous cavern, which was disclosed by a violent earthquake, not uncommon in these countries. …….in Arabia, the opening of Bab-e-Mandel was effected in the same manner; and it is thus that entire towns and mountains have been engulfed in great lakes. Kashmir, however, is no longer a lake, but a beautiful country, diversified with a great many low hills……” *X* On the strength of a huge geological authority, Sir WR Lawrence has also mentioned that there is abundant evidence that igneous or volcanic agencies were actively at work in Kashmir valley which is proved by the outpouring of the vast quantities of volcanic rocks. *XI *The fact that the subterraneous force was extremely violent at Baramullah would seem to confirm the view that *the desiccation of the valley was caused by an earthquake which created an outlet for the lake waters through the Baramullah gorge*. *XII* Following exploration of geographical structure of Kashmir valley conducted during 1854 & 1856, William H Purdon states that geology is antecedent to all history. But it was not only Kashmir valley. Rather, greater portion of the Himalayan region itself was beneath ocean. The marks of former sea-beaches are so distinctly discernible at various elevations in Kashmir valley, especially along the steep cliffs which border the Wullur Lake; and, accordingly, we find a *very pretty story, invented by the Brahmin priests…” XIII* The aforementioned assertions of Sir M A Stein & other authorities debunking the Hindu legend of Kashyap Rishi apply equally to Muslim & Persian legendary narratives about the origin of the country. These are just stories without scientific & geological evidence. To recall to our minds, the Government of India & Archeological Survey of India in their abovementioned affidavit in the Supreme Court stated further that the study of human history, which is the primary object of the Archeological Survey of India, like other sciences and fields of study, must be carried out in a scientific manner using available technological aids, and its findings must be based on tangible material evidence.” *XIV* *Tailpiece:* So, Kashyap Rishi draining the vale of Kashmir is just a fable. Whether he was a Brahman or Buddhist or a monotheist-Jew or Muslim, whosoever, there is no historical evidence of it, though his name is mentioned in some ancient texts of Hindus. But, on the basis of geological explorations of the valley, it is scientifically stated that once before millions of years the valley was under waters resembling a vast lake & that “there was such a devastating earthquake, that it broke open the mountain wall at Baramulla, and the water flowed out [from that opening], leaving behind lacustrine mud, known as the Karewas, along the margins of mountains. Thus came into existence the oval but irregular Valley of Kashmir*”. XV* *References:* *I. Times of India dated 13-09-2007; Hindustan Times dated 21-01-2008 ,* *II. The Valley of Kashmir (2014), by Sir WR Lawrence, page 184: It may be noticed here that Dr. M A Stein has remarked that the Kashmiri name “Hari” (myna bird or Sarika goddess/princess) has been by “popular etymology” of Punjabis, Dogras & other Indian visitors turned to Hari-Parbat when it has nothing to do with the name Hari= Siva. Ibid, footnote 2; Dr. M A Stein,* *the Ancient Geography of Kashmir (1899-Calcutta) page 144, footnote 2 ,* *III. History of Kashmir (1825) by Horace Hayman Wilson pages 8 & 9: the word “Afreet/Afrit/Afat” in Arabic mythology according to Collins English Dictionary means a powerful demon or giant monster or jinn,* *IV. Ibid,* * V. Sir G T Vigne’s Travels in Kashmir ( second edition, 1844) page 43,* *VI. Ibid, pages 45-46,* *VII. Samuel Bea, Travels of Fah-Hian & Sung Yun, Buddhist Pilgrims: from china to India (1869) page 60, footnote 1,* * VIII. The Ancient Geography of Kashmir (1899-Calcutta) pages 11-13: Dr. M A Stein who is world known geographer, traveler & translator of Kalhana’s Rajtarangi has discussed authentic earliest Persian (Abu Fazl), Chinese (Hiuen Tsiang), oriental & Sanskrit sources on this point,* * IX. Christopher Sneden, Understands Kashmir & Kashmiris (2015) page 22 (the ancient Greeks, who knew of this region, called it ‘Kasperia’); the Chinese called Kashmir Shie-in or Kia-Shi-Lo, the Tibetans called it Kanapal while Dardas called it Kashart,* * X. Travels in the Moghul Empire (Westminster, 1891) by Francois Bernier, pages 394-395; emphasis supplied,* * XI. Supra The Valley of Kashmir, page 42,* * XII Ibid, page 43* *XIII. William H* *Purdon’s article titled the Trigonometrical survey & physical configuration of valley of Kashmir published in Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London* *(1861) page 28,* * XIV. Read* “*No evidence to prove …” in rcom dated 12-09-2007,* * XV. Dr. A. N. Raina, Geography of Jammu & Kashmir State (2002 edition, Jammu) para1; emphasis mine* *M J Aslam is Author, academician, story-teller & freelance columnist. Presently Assistant Vice President, JK Bank.* *KR IRS 2322* On Tue, 1 Mar 2022 at 20:35, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 < [email protected]> wrote: > QUES ANSW DIVINE 03-2022-01 > > Dear friends, > > These are information compiled as QA by me in 1998’s-2004’s and stored in > my computer. They are posted by *very learnt members*. > > *BEING COMPILATION THERE MAY BE ERRORS.* > > Sincerely, > > *R. Gopalakrishnan, 78, dated 01-03-2022* > > Q1 What is chenduram? > > A1 Iron is oxidised and made into the various oxides. Among them, the most > important one is *"chendhUram*" which is the red oxide of iron-ferric > oxide . > > Q2 What is siddaha statement Vengayam chttal chukkakuma? > > A2 VenggAyam = empty, shell-like body Chukku = dried ginger Among the > condimants, chukku is most capable of being unspoiled for a very long time. > It is found intact in the 5000 year-old pyramids. It was used in the > process of mummification > > > > *VenggAyam becoming chukku = ordinary body attaining kAyasiddhi by means > of kAyakalpam.* > > > > Q3 How do the supreme absolute (Parabrahman) exists in the human being ? > > A3 The supreme absolute (Parabrahman) exists in the human being > (jivatma) as Shabda Brahman, the absolute as sound > > Q4 What are mantras? > > A4 Mantras are not prayers and the relationship of the letters > of the Sanskrit alphabet, whether consonants or vowels, point to the > appearance of devata (divinity) in different forms. > > An uttered mantra is the manifestation of a more subtle sound while > mantras themselves are forms of Kundalini. Mantras may be male, female or > neutral. Female mantras are called Vidyas. Mantras are only such if they > were first revealed by a rishi or seer. Only then do they have life, > according to the tradition .A mantra can only work if it is received > from a guru who has, herself or himself, received it in an unbroken line > from its first rishi. in describing mantras, the different tantrik > texts always give their origin or rishi as well as the metre to pronounce > them. > > Q5 Which book do we have beeja mantras? > > A5 The Bija mantras are avilable in the book called *Sri Vidya by > Ramakrishanmutt* as well as in the publications of Sri chakra Navavarna Pooja > available in the market. However they are not with the explanations > about each bijas. One more Bija mantram is there i.e Hraim. > > Q6 Whether Dhnanwantari was a king of Benaras? > > A6 According to the Puranas *Dhanvantari incarnation of Vishnu was a > ruler of Benares who originated a universally effective system of > traditional herbal medicine*. He holds a golden leech (symbolic of > blood purification) and a medicinal plant in his right hands, and > the conch of wisdom and pot of rejuvenating nectar in his left One of > the earliest and outstanding leaders of Indian culture in the field of > medicine in general and surgery in particular was Dhanvantari. His > personality > and identity are shrouded in the mist of antiquity. > > Q7 Who compiled Danvantaries instructions? > > A7 *Sushruta compiled Dhanvantari'* s teachings on surgery and his work > is known as Sushrita Samita. In Sushruta Samhita, Dhanvantari has been > mentioned as the king of Kashi now known as Varanasi (Indian city) > *specialized > by name "Divodasa".*By dint of Dhanvantari's self > Dhanvantariradidevah" > meaning ."I am that Dhanvantari, who appeared at the time of Ocean- > churning "; it is obvious that the teacher of Sushruta and his colleagues > was the god incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Dhanvantari has been mentioned at > several places in the Charaka Samhita Ayurvedic text) as "Atra > Dhanvantariyanam Adhikarah" i.e. this case refers to surgery or the > school of Dhanvantari. > > Q8 When do a solar eclipse occur? What are its spiritual specialities? > > A8 The eclipse occurs during the New Moon, which makes it a very powerful > day to perform Ancestral rituals such as tarpan. > > *You can perform tarpan rituals not only for your ancestors but also to > your friends and pets*. *It is said performing tarpan to even your > deceased foe helps to remove curses and bless you* > > According to Vedic traditions the doors to the other worlds, both heavenly > and the lower realms, are opened during eclipse time. Many souls from > these worlds visit the earth plane during eclipses. > > *Not only good spirits but also bad spirits come to visit their family > members, friends and enemies.* These souls like to visit the earth plane > due to some previous love or hatred. Hence it is important for us to > recognize and appease these souls during the eclipse period. > > All auspicious events should not be planned three days before and after > the eclipse afflicted days. > > Q9 Do dead ancestors govern our destiny? > > A9 Our dead ancestors are governing your destiny. The greatest > contribution of India to the world is her spiritual science. No > civilization, however old it is, has ever attained the level of > sophistication reached by the yogis and siddhas of India > > When a person dies he takes with him all old good and bad thought forms > and experiences that he had while alive. If someone had been a real bad > person his soul starts the torture experience right after death. If one > had lived a luxurious life, committing all kinds of crimes, that person > will have the worst type of shadow existence. > > This life in shadow form after death invariably is a troublesome > experience. The most intriguing thing is that there are a host of your > ancestors who are in shadow forms and hanging in the mid-air. Some of > them because of their evil nature are hanging upside down. > > This pain experienced the ancestors spirits directly affects your destiny > while you are on the earth plane. Logically it doesn’t make sense that > you should suffer for some misdoings of your great, great grandfather. > But the siddhas claim this is soul genetics. You are your ancestor both > biologically and spiritually. I have a vacuum cleaner that can cleanse the > souls of your grandfather, grandmother or your great, great grandfather. > The vacuum cleaner is called Tarpanam. *Tarpanam means food offering for > the ancestor* > > Q10 What are the conditions the mantras are to be efficacious? > > > > A10 If the mantras are to be efficacious, the one who chants them must > be *disciplined and must observe a variety of vows.* > > There is, for instance, the mantra to cure a person stung by a scorpion. > The man who chants it must observe certain strict rules. If he is lack in > the matter, the mantra will have no effect- this is what the mantrikas > themselves say. > > > > There are rules for the recitation of each mantra, a time when it is to be > chanted and when it is not to be.*If the rules are violated it will have > no effect.* It is said that the mantras are more efficacious when recited > during eclipses. > > Q11 What do the five hands of Vinayaga symbolizes ? > > A11 Vinayaga has five hands which symbolizes Antakarana which include > Mind, Intellect (Buddhi), Ego(Ahamakara) and Chitta > > Q12 What is the importance of Maha Sankata Chaturthi ? > > A12 Maha Sankata Chaturthi is a very auspicious day to offer prayers, > rituals to Lord Ganesha. It is said that breaking coconuts on this day > will shatter your obstacles to smithereens .There is a specific type of > Ganesha called 'Kann Dhrishti Vinayagar' which is used to ward off evil eye > also called as 'Dhrishti'. > > Q13 Is there any legend that rshi Kashyapa who invented Kashmir out > the Dal lake ? > > A13 Yes. It was rshi Kashyapa who invented Kashmir out the Dal lake > > *My note- Discovered can be better word* > > Q14 Name the function of the five airs. > > A14 The function of Prana is respiration; Apana does excretion; Samana > performs digestion; Udana does deglutition (swallowing of the food). *It > takes the Jiva to sleep. It separates the astral body from the physical > body* at the time of death. Vyana performs circulation of blood. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/1071504882.2453847.1646147136758%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/1071504882.2453847.1646147136758%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZop7Usu9Knfjo6qs7RqMkVT8wKhC5%2BadC644GX1hbgFPug%40mail.gmail.com.
