SATANIC NINE/ELEVEN AND SPIRITUAL NINE/ELEVEN

Satanic nine/eleven  2001and Spiritual nine/eleven 1893

(Discourse by N.R.Srinivasan, Nashville, TN, September 2014)

AIn Ramayana   Balakanda Kausalya consoles   grief-torn Dasaaratha on Rama’s, Sita’s and Lakshmana’s departure to the forest with the following verses;

Soko naasyate Dhairyam Soko  naasyate  srutam |

Soko naasyate sarvam naasti soka same ripuh ||

Sakyamaapatitah sodhumprahaaro ripuhastatah |

Sodhumaapatitah sokah susookshmo api na sakyate || (Balakanda LXII-15, 16)

Grief eradicates patience, grief effaces learning. Grief destroys all and there is no enemy like grief. A blow that has descended from the hands of an enemy can be sustained.  Grief however that has appeared all of a sudden cannot be endured even though it is minute.

          
 Mo     Most painful tragic events of 9/11-2001 haunt us still. The jet liners  plunging, exploding fireballs, the crumbling buildings, sad story of  3000 souls that lost their lives and tales of fireman climbing to their deaths are all vividly  broadcasted by all news-media on this  disaster remembrance day  adding fuel to the fire of our helpless situation and threat. The self-assumed defenders of faith, a set off butcher s and criminals claiming to be Islamists has further complicated the situation bringing more gloom and   pessimism.  Grief   destroys all says  Ramayana.

It is   our duty to honor everyone who is a victim of 9/11 tragedy no matter whether they are related to us or not, whether we live in America or not. We live today in a very complicated post 9/11-world. We need to stick together and rise above some of these negative feelings. We have   to stop trying to remember the event and the terrible grief that was brought in at some point and move on in life.   Let us stop thinking about our grief which lingers on for a while and think about how the events have shaped us too. The country has become unified and patriotic. We came together in the face of tragedy beyond what we could have ever imagined on that day.  We should cash on the transformation it has made for our generation.  

We should also analyze why this tragedy took place. It is the wrong interpretation or conceptualization of religion that has crept into some evil minds of Muslims. It may be the wrong reading of their scriptures.  Some Muslims assert: “A true Islamic state, as practiced by the Prophet Mohammed, requires a ruler who holds office through the acceptance of the people. The ruler must abide by the concept of justice and by God's laws that require the ruler to be compassionate and merciful to the people, just as a parent is to his children. No one can just come in by force and claim to be the Caliph, as the terrorists in Syria and Iraq are claiming. No one can kill people indiscriminately and terrorize the population and be considered a Muslim ruler under the dictates of Islam.  Muslim values, as explicitly described in the Quran and in the teachings of the Prophet, guarantee the right to life, the right to family, the right to property, the right to pursue our beliefs the way we want.  Only in the last century has a different interpretation of Islam become oppressive to other faith tradition”. The last statements do not hold good. Hindus have suffered under Muslim rulers right from the 12^th century in India. They were   forcibly converted asked to pay Jesia (a tax for non-Muslims) and Hindu Temples were plundered and destroyed. This has resulted today in India being the third  largest Muslim country in the world even after losing a large portion of the Motherland to Separatist Muslims.  Historic evidences show Muslim rulers even killed their father, imprisoned bothers and grabbed the throne.

No religion promotes killing, exploitation and causing harm to others in its promotion.  If it does, it can’t be called a religion and worth following. What then is religion? This can very well be explained by referring to the dialogue between Dalai Lama and the Brazilian philosopher.

A dialogue between a Brazilian philosopher and theologian Leonardo Boff and the wise Dalai Lama explains clearly what religion is: Leonardo posed  Dalai Lama  following questions: 1) What is the best religion and 2) what is it that makes me better?

Dalai Lama’s answer was:

The best religion is one that gets you closest to God. It is the one that makes you a better person.

To his second question he answered:

Whatever makes you more compassionate; more sensible; more detached; more humanitarian; more responsible; and more ethical!

He continued: I am not interested, my friend, about your religion or concerned if you are religious or not. What really is important to me is your behavior in front of your peers, family work, community and in front of the world.

Remember the Universe is the echo of our actions and our thoughts. The law of action and reaction   is not exclusive to physics. It is also for   human relations (called Karma). If I act with goodness I will receive goodness. If I act with evil, I will get evil.

What our ancestors told us is the pure truth. You will always have what you desire for others. Being happy is not a matter of destiny, It is a matter of options. Take care of your thoughts because they become words; take care of your words because they will become actions; take care of actions for they will become your habits; take care of your habits for they will from your character; take care of your Character because it will form your destiny; and your destiny will be your life.  There is no religion higher than Truth.  Satyameva Jayate !

The Parliament of World's Religion started on 11 September 1893. Vivekananda gave his first lecture on that day: He began with the words: "The Soul of India, the echo of the Rishis, the voice of my Guru Ramakrishna the mouthpiece of the resurgent Time spirit”, then he continued  his speech with salutation, "Sisters and brothers of America!"  To these words he got a standing ovation from a crowd of seven thousand, which lasted for two minutes.   He recalled the story of a frog living in its own well. Vivekananda concluded– "That has been the difficulty all the while. I am a Hindu. I am sitting in my own little well and thinking that the whole world is my little well. The Christian sits in his little well and thinks the whole world is his well. The Muslim sits in his little well and thinks that is the whole world."   Much has been said of the common ground of religious unity.  Do I wish that the Christian would become Hindu? God forbid. Do I wish that the Hindu or Buddhist would become Christian? God forbid. The seed is put in the ground, and earth and air and water are placed around it. Does the seed become the earth, or the air, or the water? No. It becomes a plant. It develops after the law of its own growth, assimilates the air, the earth, and the water, converts them into plant substance, and grows into a plant. Similar is the case with religion. The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth. He finished his series of speeches with appeal "Help and not Fight," "Assimilation and not Destruction," "Harmony and Peace and not Dissension."

Will there ever be an end to the war on terror now in the hands of Islam militants?  21^st   century will continue to be defined by our ongoing struggle with religious extremism and hatred for our way life. Its intensity of operation is constantly shifting, sometimes  to West, sometimes to  India and the Far east and sometimes  to Middle East. A number of people live in constant fear and anxiety.

Hindu philosophy of non-violence “Ahimsaa paramo dharmah” --non-violence is the noblest act, is not a strategy to rid the world of violence, but rather the way Hindus would like to live in a world of violence, particularly Hindu Americans. Hindus also draw solace in this regard believing good Lord will handle the situation--paritraanaaya sadhoonaam vinaasaaya cha dushkritaam (For annihilating the wicked and protecting the innocent). American thinking of non-violence is to get rid the world of violence taking action themselves.

 It may not be irrelevant to say here Jews, Christians and Muslims have the same origin and same God. Brothers and sisters fought and separated and even started hating each other.   They often talk also of love thy neighbor or brotherhood, but still fight.

The problem with the 9/11/2001 is the lack of communication among the people of conflicting views. The strength of the 9/11/1983 was the opportunity of communication among the people of conflicting views. The only way to enjoy peace in this world is to respect and understand the   point of view from all directions. No religion should impose its ideas on to others that live in perfect harmony with its values. That is what makes this world an interesting place – colors of many races, religions, genders, ages and politics.  

It looks as though the fittest will survive and it may not be far-fetched if Jews, Christians and Muslims start understanding each other and their origin to join together again eliminating the wicked.  As Hindu Americans we should also remember spiritual 9/11 of 1893 when Swami Vivekananda brought light of India by way of Wisdom of Vedas to World Forum of Religions held in Chicago.  We should overcome the satanic influence of 9/11 of 2001. It is unfortunate after 108 Years of Spiritual 9/11 Satanic 9/11 showed its head with all vengeance and hatred.  The forum in 1893 started appreciating the greatness of each religion and wanted to remain in harmony after hearing to the speech of Swami Vivekananda.

As Hindu Americans let us not be dejected and resigned to fate and bogged down by these threats but be guided by the wisdom   of Vedas articulated by Swami Vivekananda  Arise, Watchful and Move on—Utthishtata, Jagrata, Charaiveti, Charaiveti (Arise, Awake, Move on, Move Forward). Let us also follow the Vedic dictum Krinvanto Viswamaaryam, let us ennoble the whole world and aatmavat sarvabhooteshu,  look upon all being as your own self.

REFERENCES:

1) Valmiki Ramayana, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, India

2) Huff-post articles on the subject

3) Wikipedia and other Internet Sources

4) Speeches   of Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Math Publications

E-  MAIL SENT ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2019A

REMEMEMBERING 9/11 TRAGEDY IN USA OF 2011 FOR OUR PRAYERS AND VENERATION

No matter how hard we try, words simply cannot express the horror, the shock and the revulsion we as Hindu Americans indu Americns H feel over what took place in this nation on Tuesday morning in September 2011.  September 11 goes down in American history as a Day to Remember and renew our faith in the theory of Karma and the divine assurance.

First, we are reminded of the mystery and reality of evil.   Why God allows such tragedies and suffering. Why did he program devastating Dorain    flood havoc in this month?  I have to confess that I do not know the answer. Being a Hindu I indu Hindu hH accept, that God is Supreme and that He is a God of love and mercy and compassion (Karunalu, Dayasindhu, Bhaktavatsala) in the midst of suffering. That we all know from Bhagavad Gita and His Divine assurances.

 sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja | ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pHeāpebhyo mokṣha-yiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ || 18-66||

Giving up all other Dharmas, turn to the Supreme beings spirit--Inner-net (Sva-dharma or   Dharma of the Self) as the sole refuge; and the Supreme Spirit will undoubtedly deliver the refuge-seeker from all ills and evils; he will no longer grieve.

He also said “Paritraanayaam sadhoonam… sambhavami yuge yuge” I personally incarnate to energize and purify the good. He is also sending his messengers periodically to guide us in seeking Universal Peace and Harmony. On October 2, we will celebrating 150^th Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi an Apostle of Peace reminding us to live practicing his ideals!  He constantly reminded us of three Siamese cats telling us “See no Evil”. “Hear no Evil’’ and “Speak no Evil”. 

9/11 reminds us of the brevity and the uncertainty of life. We never know when we too will be called into eternity. I doubt if those people who got on those planes or who walked into the World Trade Center or the Pentagon on that ill-fated Tuesday thought that it would be the last day of their lives. And that’s why we each must face our own spiritual need and commit ourselves to God and His will. The lesson of this event is not only about the mystery of iniquity and evil, but, second, it’s a lesson about our need for each other.

It is the Divine will that all these tragedies befell on humanity in the holy month of Bhadrapada giving an opportunity to many for salvation or movce forward.  Hence these souls should be given a good farewell with pitrukarya or Sraaddha.  Westerners say pray for the souls. At the same time the living should seek the blessings of Devi. As you know whenever we are in trouble we run to our mothers or Mother of all Mothers, Mother Earth seeking her love and affection.

Hindu calendar month of   Bhadrapada in the Chaturmasa is auspicious for worshiping a blend of Deities, Sages and Pithrus; a unique opportunity to get discharged from Deva, Rishi and Pithru rinas (debts). First half of the month is dedicated to the worship of Devathas and Rishi Gana, second half of Bhadrapada Masam is totally dedicated to the worship of Pithru Devathas that is known as Pithru Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha. During this fortnight we pay our obeisance to not only our ancestors but all departed souls on Earth by performing sacred rites. In this month giving   charity is considered highly meritorious as demonstrated by Danaveera Karna.

It is believed that after the death, the soul would remain in an intermediate world (loka) known as the Pitru loka. The soul stays in the pitru loka until the fourth descendant enters the same and once the fourth descendant comes, the first soul would move to the heaven or the swarga loka. So at any given time only three generations of the soul would reside in the pitru loka. This world is governed by Lord Yama. It is believed that the souls of the ancestors would come down and reside with the descendants in their home during this period and hence one should perform the traditional ritual to satisfy the ancestors.  This month is mainly focused on Devis specifically to Mother Earth hailed as Bhuvaneswari.

There is a mandate in our scriptures to pray for the souls as well as pray for universal peace. That we do even before entering married life by performing Nandi Sraddha (obeisance to parted souls).  Vedas say: Aatmanaa vindate veeryam--One gets strength knowing the Self. Without any favoritism He has provided this Inner-net for call in all Beings. Whenever we are lazy or in our ego forget to push the button we are in trouble like these. So should have been all those victims  of 9/11.

I would specifically bring these two mandatory mantras for your attention:

Tarpana ritual ends with the following Mantra:

Yeshaam na pitaa na bhraata na bhandu naanya goetrinah | Te truptim akhilaa yaattu mayaa tyaktai kusai stilaih ||

May all who are neither my father, nor my brother, nor my relative nor belonging to my gotra (leniency), may get the satisfaction by this water offered  by me through the medium of Kusa grass and sesame seeds! (This is a universal prayer praying for all departed souls of all races and creed)

Here is a Universal prayer which is very common way to end all Hindu prayers, praying for the welfare of all:

Dyauh saantih antariksha(ga)m saantih prithivee saantih aapah saantih oeshadhayah saantih | vanaspatayah saantih viswedevaah saantih brahma saantih sarva(ga)m saantih saantireva saantih saa maa saantiraedhi ||

Oh Lord You have ensured us peace in the heavenly region;   peace in the atmosphere; peace reigns on the earth; there is coolness in the water; the medicinal herbs are healing; the plants are peace-giving; there is harmony in the celestial objects and perfection in eternal knowledge; everything in the universe is peaceful; peace pervades everywhere. May that peace come to all of us!

While the church bells ring, Hindu Americans should be running to temple to ring the Temple bells and observe 9/11`as a Special Religious Worship Day or meditate in their Pooja rooms praying for the departed souls on this day in Bhadrupada!

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE IN HINDU CULTURE IN THE PAST

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE IN HINDU CULTURE  IN THE PAST

(Discourse by N. R. Srinivasan, Nashville, TN, September 2014)

Going through Ramayana and Mahabharata it is clear, Polygamy, Polygyny and Polyandry were freely practiced in Hindu society in ancient times without any taboo and had the religious approval.  These are not looked upon with favor by Hindu Orthodoxy in modern days and many think these have no religious sanction. These are also regulated by governmental regulations. While divorce is recognized by government it is not approved by Hindu orthodoxy.

Contrary to the general understanding, Polygamy is a marriage in which spouse of either may have more than one mate at   the same time. This practice is revealed by Pandu and Kunti in Mahabharata. Polygyny is the state or practice of having more   than one wife or female mate at one time.  Polyandry is the state or practice of having more than one husband or male mate at one time.

Baalakanda, chapter XIV Sloka 35 of Ramayana says, "The four arch-priests officiating at the horse sacrifice (Putrakameshti yaaga) namely the Hotaa, the Adhvaryu, the Udgaataa and the Brahmaa caused the king’s second wife (ordinarily belonging to Vaisya Class and bearing the generic name of Vaavaataa) along with the first wife (bearing the class name of Mahishee) as well as third wife (known by the class name of Parivritti) to be brought into contact with the horse".

The kings in ancient India generally had three wives. The first of them, who was required to be a Kshatriya princess and was consecrated along with her husband during the ceremony of installation on the throne, bore the generic title MAHISHI. The second one, who could be taken from the Vaisya class, was known by the name of Vavaataa.   The third wife   could be taken from Soodra class who was known by the name Parivritti. In the case of Dasaratha, all the three queens named Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi were Kshatriya princess.  Vishnu is always identified with two wives Sridevi and Bhudevi.   Murugan in Tamil  Nadu is always worshiped with his two inseparable wives Valli and Devayanai. While Valli is a hunter’s daughter of low caste Devayanai is from heaven and the daughter of Indra. Thus Lord Subhramanya’s   wedding is always celebrated at inter-planetary level, both Indraloka and earth and also brides from   very low caste of humans and superior class of divines.    This also gave license and the practice   to marry the girl of one’ own caste as well as from lower castes.   Sri Rama was an exception and moved away from the normal convention of the society while Vishnu had two wives Sridevi and Bhoodevi.    He was praised for his Ekapatni Vrata, Vow to have one wife. His brothers followed him. Lakshmana's wife was Urmila. Bharata's wife was Mandavi and Satrughna's was Srutikeerti. It looks as though Rama was trying to redefine the codes of marriage or stricter of Maanava Dharma and married life while Krishna seems to have relaxed some rules,  was practical and human in his approach. Pandava brothers not only shared Draupadi but also had their own additional wives and children. Draupadi had   five husbands. All these marriages had religious approval and were solemnized, blessed by elders.

Divorce and remarriage of women were allowed under very special conditions during Vedic period and is also mentioned in Brihadarnyaka Upanishad. Shaving of the hair and wearing red sari by the widows or their committing sahagamana or Sati (dying on the funeral pyre of their dead husbands) was not a religious mandate. Madri, Pandu's wife perhaps started the tradition? Later in Aryan Society a widower could remarry, but usually not a widow; she had to practice celibacy and live like a nun. This double standard probably existed because Aryan Society was male dominated. Divorce was not permitted later. Marriage was considered a sacrament and was meant to last the entire lifetime of the partners.

Srirama suspects the character of Sita, when Hanuman brought her back after killing Ravana, repudiates her and asks her to seek shelter elsewhere. He says in Ayodhyakaanda Chapter CXV slokas 19-25; “No man of spirit and born in a noble family would take back with an eager mind a woman who has dwelt in another's house. How can I accept you who were squeezed into the arms of Ravana? Set your mind on Lakshmana or even on Bharata according to your pleasure. Nay, fix your mind on Satrughna or even on Sugriva or on the ogre Vibhishana”. Rama also approved Tara, Vali's wife, marrying Sugriva, after Vali's death.  Vali enjoyed Ruma Sugriva's wife snatching her away from Sugriva who sought refuge in Rishyamuka to save his life. Later Ruma was accepted by Sugriva though enjoyed by Vali. These clearly reflect in the culture and standards in the society of those days. A wife abducted, thrown out or divorced could remarry or join back her husband. A widow could remarry brother of her husband.

It is clear from this,   inter-varna marriages that are termed as inter-caste marriages in modern society were quite normal and even encouraged particularly among Kshatriyas. Krishna had several wives and there is no need for special spiritual explanation like orthodoxy is trying to do to convince modern Hindu society.  His love affair with Radha wedded to another man is also quite legal as per the then practices, known to his other wives and accepted by them and needs no special explanation. Radha was married to someone legally but Krishna was her eternal love. Krishna devotees often celebrate Radha-Krishna wedding.  These should also come as a satisfactory explanation bringing   comfort to Hindu American priests who are forced to conduct Hindu inter-caste marriages in Hindu temples by Braahma marriage as well as Inter-racial marriages   in which one spouse is Hindu.   But what sort of a Maangalyam the bride should wear? Mangalya dhaaranam has become a must in Hindu Braahma marriages. This could be a Swastika in inter-racial marriages which should please Hindus, Christians and Muslims or it could be the tradition of the Hindu Partner. In the case of inter-caste marriages this could be the traditional Thalis of both the partners or tiger tooth or Lakshmi Bindu.  Since Mangalya Dhaaranam is not a Vedic tradition, anything pleasing and compromising should suit the occasion. Swastika lends itself to a beautiful pendant as a jewelry permanently worn.  In Vedic period whole world was one family, Vasudeka Kutumbakam.  Normally such marriages are not conducted in Hindu Temples in India today and also not looked upon with favor by orthodoxy restricted by Scriptural sanctions of latter days. This should also be a great comfort to religious Hindu American Parents who have no control over the choice marriages of their children.

In Balakanda sloka 46 of Chapter XVI there is a reference to "Swastika-sootha- Maagadhiyah" Sootas and Maaghadas pronounced benedictions by raising shouts of victory. But who are these Sootas and Maaghadas?  Maaghadas are mixed class (Varna) born to Vaisya through a Kshatriya wife--Maagadah Kshatriyaavisoh (Amarakosa). Word Soota evidently denotes here the son of Kshatriya through a Brahmin wife (his business being a bard or charioteer).  Braahmanyaam Kshatriyaat sootah (Amarakosa). They were respected and enjoyed high status in Society as could be learnt from the life of Sumanta, the charioteer of Dasaratha. It is clear from this that inter-varna marriages were quite common which can be called modern inter-caste marriages. It is also obvious Varnas were multiplying in Ramayana days and also Varnas   were based on birth. Lord Krishna says he created four Varnas.  Therefore other Varnas were man made which multiplied into castes and sub-castes later. New Varnas also had their own codes and followed their Dharma as per Bhagavadgeetaa--"Swadharme Nidhanam Sreyah", Death in one's own duty is better.

Ancient Rishis also had more than one wife often. They were not averse to   satisfying their sex-urge calls, obliging sex urge of devoted girls and later moving away from it as could be learnt from the lives of Viswamitra, Paraasara, Bhishma, Indra and others. Sometimes it was also felt as a duty to maintain the lineage as happened in the case of Vichitraveerya’s wives through Vedavyaasa’s help and also in Raghu dynasty where the help of a Rishi was sought.

From all this it is very clear inter-caste Marriages were common and had no religious inhibition as in modern Religious Hindu society. Divorce and remarriage were allowed under very special conditions. Marriage codes were more relaxed to start with and later got restricted.

REFERENCES:

1)  Srimad Valmiki Ramayana, Gita Press,  Gorakhpur, India.

2) Swami Bhaskarananda, Essentials of Hinduism, Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.

3)  Swami Harshananda, An Introduction to  Hindu Culture, Ramakrishna Math, Bengaluru, India.

                                            APPENDIX

   An astrologer’s expert opinion on present day Marriage practices

To my knowledge astrological matching boy’s and girl’s   horoscope for holy matrimony was very rare back around 100 years or so! Only the Purohit (Priest) who conducted the marriage used to see the star and the Gotra.  If both parties had doubt they used to go to a temple and place a white flower and a red flower in betel leaves separately. After placing the same before the presiding deity an innocent boy or girl would be asked pick one of the closed leaves.  If they picked white flower they agreed for the marriage. If they picked the leaf with red flower they agreed to cancel that marriage proposal. This was the system prevailing then. I also do not feel astrological matching is a must for marriage.  Manu Smriti says if the parents of the girl do not find a match for the girl before three years after the girl’s attaining puberty, she has every right to choose her partner. In Hindu marriage Panigrahanam and Kanyaka Daanam are to be performed during the Muhurtam.  Muhurtam time is fixed to overcome all ill effects in the horoscope.  During Mangalya Dhaaranam only a Sanskrit Sloka is chanted and not a sacred Vedic Mantra and therefore this is not the most sacred step as it is made out today. (Once three knots are tied the girl is bound to husband life-time and nothing can save the situation is the blind belief).  In earlier days only a Kantha sootram was tied around the neck of the bridegroom for the   occasion like the holy thread tied to the hand. You may also note that this sloka is also used during Shashthi-abdi-poorti celebrations (60^th birthday of husband if wife is alive when the marriage ceremony  is reenacted)   Srimad Bhagavatam predicts Sangara Vargam (people marrying out of caste) would increase and gradually all caste system would fail in Chapter 12 while elaborating on Kaliyuga Lakshana” says our astrology expert. [Here is a justification for love marriage as well as inter-caste marriage too in Hinduism].

MAANGALYA DHAARANAM AND SUMANGALI KRIYA IN HINDU WEDDING

Maangalya  Dhaaranam and Sumangali Kriya in Hindu Wedding

        (Compilation for a discourse at Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville, TN, USA, September 2014)

Hindu marriage symbolizes not only the wedding between and man and woman, but it also symbolizes mutual love, care, affection, understanding, commitment, sacrifice, companionship, dedication, and surrender by both the partners.  It is sometimes said that a Hindu marriage is between two families than between  a boy and a girl.  Each and every ritual associated with the marriage has a meaning.  One   such ritual is tying of Maangalyam.  All attention and eyes of the guests gathered to partake in wedding celebrations mainly concentrates   on Maangalya Dharanam   at the   auspicious time (muhurtam) pre -determined and announced. It is not only the yellow thread or the gold chain that has the significance, but also the bond between two hearts and the protection assured by each other. The maangalyam acts as fence for the married woman who values it as her husband.  Hindu women worship their maangalyam with sindhoor (holy vermilion red powder)   and even does rituals called “Sumangali vratas” for the long-life of their husbands in festivals like Varalakshmi Vrata, Gowri Habba, Karuva chauth etc.

Mangala Sutra  worn by most married woman in  Southern parts of  India and Maharashtra is  a yellow twisted auspicious rope of three strands  into which slides   two beads  of gold on either side holding in between  two  slided  gold  Thalis in many traditions  (or one pendant  in some traditions).    Inclusion of     black beads in Maangalyam is considered important in some traditions. There is a belief that mangalasutra worn by   a wife protects the husband from inauspicious and unfortunate happenings. It wards off evil eyes.  That is the reason why black beads are alternated between gold beads in the chain. The two Thalis invariably represent the religious traditional symbols (like naamam, Bindi, linga etc.) of the boy and girl.  

Maangalyam is made out of solid gold contributed by both sides of the boy and girl, melted and shaped by the family goldsmith ritualistically. Now-a-days fashion has over-powered these Thalis which often limit to one central piece carrying favorite or traditional religious symbol with fashion design. Black beads are also assembled in the unit in some traditions. Gold chain has replaced ropes now-a -days though for the purpose of sacred ceremony bits of ropes are added at the two ends to facilitate tying of the knots.  Sometimes a central piece containing Mangala refers to the planet Mars. Mangala also means   auspicious.  Mangalasutra therefore means auspicious thread. In modern fashion oriented society this thread has turned into golden string or chain. Gold increases energy levels in the body and is a symbol of prosperity as well as Goddess Lakshmi who is often described as one with golden hue (suvarna rajatasrajaam). Sometimes silver is also used but gold is considered superior and does not get tarnished. In some traditions peacock pendant is also added.  A peacock is a symbol of a woman’s love from her husband.   It is also the mount of Lord Subhramanya th Lord of wisdom. Maangalyam holds special place for women in India, especially Tamil Nadu. It is considered as the most   important ornament among all ornaments in a married woman’s life, which remains on her neck throughout her lifetime.    Maangalyam   is considered as a gift from a husband to his wife and meant for protection throughout their married life.

Vedanta Desika has included the following sloka in his Paduka Sahasram which explains the tradition of tying the Mangalyasutram in Hindu tradition:

Vahanthi rangEshvarapAdharakshE !

DhIrGhAyuShAm DharShitha Bhakthi banDhA ||

AshADhipAnAmavarODhanAryasthvan |

mudhrikAm mangaLa hEma sUthraIh||

Meaning: Oh Paaduka! The 8 Direction-guardians enjoy such longevity only because their damsels wear, in their gold-chain-hung Thirumangalya, Your image. They become thus blessed.

In the earlier slokas, Swami Desikan stated that the new brides wear jewelry containing the representation of Paadhukaas on their head. At the high moment of Maangalya dhaaranam, the bridegroom ties the auspicious thread around the neck of the bride that contains the Paadhukaas (Lord Ranganaatha’s feet) as the centerpiece. Swami Desikan points out that the wearing of the Mangala soothram is not confined to human beings alone but is also observed by the wives of the Devaas, who wish to have long lives for their husbands. Swami Desikan says in this context: "Oh Ranganaatha Paadhuke! The wives of the long lived Masters of the 8 directions demonstrate their devotion to their husbands by wearing the auspicious golden chain around their necks containing the medallion bearing your representation". It is probable that tying of Mangalsuthra has come from Tamil tradition though not mentioned in Ramayana when Sita weds Rama.

Surprisingly   Malayalee Syrian Christians in Kerala also wear Thali called Minnu and also follow many customs similar to Hindu wedding influenced by Hindu culture. Minnukettu means tying the knot. Minnukettu means tying the knot.   A 'minnu' is a small leaf shaped pendant made of gold, with 7 tiny beads placed together on the leaf to form a cross (+), symbolizing the holy cross. Minnu is put on a thread spun with twenty one threads taken from the Manthrakodi (wedding saree). Seven threads are first taken and spun together. Two more such sets are made, and these three sets are spun together to make the final thread and minnu is put on this thread. The minnu is tied around the bride's neck by the groom on the day of their marriage. The knot tied is called the reef knot, which is almost impossible to unknot. This symbolizes the permanence of the marriage. A good way to remember how to tie a reef knot is: left over right and right over left. After seven days of marriage, the minnu is put on a gold chain and is expected to be worn till death. Minnu is an indication of a married woman. Manthrakodi or the wedding sari like Koorai pudavai in Hindu Tamil practice is a gift to the bride from the groom and his family symbolizing him as her provider. Covering the brides head with Manthrakodi is another common tradition in Kerala Christian weddings. It symbolizes the groom's promise of being a protector of his bride for the rest of her life.

This practice in Christianity should give some idea to Hindu Americans as to the Thaali design for Hindu weddings performed for Inter-racial  (Hindu-Christian )wed-locks.  The girl in such weddings can have one Thaali  as per the Hindu tradition and the other similar to Minnu as in Syrian Christian tradition as there is no religious taboo on it being traditions based. In inter-caste marriages the two traditional religious symbols may go into the Thaalis.

To me the most logical, non-controversial and spiritual symbol for a Thaali is Swastika. The word Swastika is of Sanskrit origin. Su+asti+ka=swastika. Su means good, asti means to be and ka means making. Thus it is a symbol of Prosperity. It is a symbol popular in all traditions--Indian, Celts, Greeks and others. It is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, induism Buddhism and Jainism and among many other cultures and religions. Unfortunately this was adopted as good luck symbol by Nazi party in 1920 and so was stigmatized by Germany because of the anti-Semitism practiced by Hitler. It was outlawed in Germany and other countries later. However Hindu Swastika with four dots is a form of Ganesha glorified in Ganesha Purana. Its use in India dates back to Indus Valley Civilization representing Vishnu. Thus it is acceptable to all traditions of Hindus. Hindus draw Swastika symbol on the doors and entrances during festivals as a welcome sign to Goddess Lakshmi to come to the house and bless all.  In Tibetan Buddhism it symbolizes Mother Earth.  

Hindu religious texts say the eight arms of the Swastika are symbolic of the Pancha-bhootas, mind, emotions and feelings. They also represent four yugas,   four  Aasramas, four basic aims of human pursuits--Dharma Artha, Kaama and Moksha,  four Vedas, Brahma  and four constellations-- Pushya  (8^th), Chitra (14^th), Sravana(22^nd) and Revati (27th).

In Rigveda Swastika is mentioned as symbol of Surya. Amarakosa the famous Sanskrit dictionary says Swastika means pure and auspicious blessing. Swastika is also known as “Satiya” which is symbolic of Sudarsan Chakra in the hands of Vishnu and worshiped in Puri Jagannth. People also consider it as a symbol denoting (+) like the symbol of cross in Christianity. It is also considered as a symbol of prosperity. Yajurveda hymn runs as follows:

Swasti na indro vridddhasravaah swasti nah poosaa viswadevaah |

Swasti nastaaksharyo arishtanemih swasti no brihaspatir dadhaatu

One who is renowned and glorious, Lord Indra, bless us with well-being! One who is the embodiment of knowledge of the world, Pusadeva, bless us with well-being! OH Garuda! One who has the weapon to destroy misfortune,   please protect us! Oh Bhagawan Brihaspati! Please bless us with auspiciousness in our homes! In Acharya Yask the swastika has been described as indestructible Brahman. All the deities in the mantra above are only Vyahritis   (aggregates) of Brahaman and represent Brahman alone.

Swastika is also a symbol of equal sided Cross (+) with its four legs bent at 90 degrees.  It is known as Gammadion Cross which is identical to four Greek gamma letters affixed to each other. The Swastika is used in Islamic art and is also seen in Christian and Byzantine Empire art. Swastika Thaali suits all kinds of weddings conducted in Hindu Temples. This also lends the Thaali jewelry to restrict to one beautiful pendent which can be studded with precious stones or pure diamond to wear as a permanent jewelry.  What better auspicious symbol you   can aspire for such a happy occasion meeting all traditions and religions?

There are a number of varieties of Maangalyams.  Maangalyam of Iyers contain Sivalingam in it, whereas the mangalyam of Iyengars contain a pair of shell (shakha) and red coral (paula) or naamam with  sankha and chakra, their religious mark. They usually have two thalis carrying the religious traditions of boy and girl. During Shashti-abda-poorti (60^th year wedding ceremony) a third thaali of husband’s tradition is added. There are also Thaalis that contain the shapes of trisulam (weapon in Lord Shiva’s hand), damaru (musical instrument of Lord Shiva) and Rudhraksha (holy seed worn by Lord Shiva in his necklace) worn by the Saivites. Most of the Hindus wear Lakshmi thaali whereas the Telugu people wear a pair of Ramar/Pottu thaali. Ela Thaali is worn by the Malayalees and Kumbha Thaali is worn by the Tamils of Kshatriya caste. Some traditions like Bengalis, Oriya and Assamese don’t have the custom of Mangalsutra. Some others wear tortoise shaped Thaali, representing the bondage between the husband and the wife to long-live just like the tortoise which has a long life. Tortoise is the second avatar   of Lord Vishnu. So, tortoise shaped Thaali also means that the Lord Himself is protecting the family. 

The practice of tying Maangalyam was not followed in ancient days and even in ancient Tamil culture when the marriages were performed in Vedic style. The versions of Ramayana by Kalidasa in Raghuvamsa and by Kamban in Tamil also do not mention about tying of Thaali during the marriages. There was no mentioning of Thaali in the older Tamil literature, Silappathikaaram as well. Some believe    that tying Thaali comes from Dravidian cultur who think Dravidians as separate entity. This culture seems to have initially sprung from Tamil Nadu which later spread to other cultures.    This tradition seems to   have existed during the time of Sankara  because  he  mentions  about it  in Soundayalahari.  

Saamudrikaa saastra (Science of Birthmarks) says for noble woman and men there will be birthmarks as lines in the face, neck and stomach regions:

Lalaatocha kale chaiva madhyechaapi valitrayam |

Stree-pumsayor-idam jneyam mahaa-saubhaagya-soochakam || (soundarylahiri)

Grihyasootra says that in certain regions during Braahma wedding after Mangalyadhaarana   the bride is tied with   an arm-band of single strand and three strands on the neck. 

Mangalyam tantunaanena badhvaa mangala-sootrakam |

Vaamahaste saram badhvaa kanthe cha trisaram tathaa ||

The neck portion birth-lines remind us of the holy strands tied during wedding. Again these three lines represent Gati, Gamaka, and Geeta musical steps that rise from the throat of Devi and also represent Shatjam, Madhyamam and Gaandharam limitations of notes portion of classical music.

Arunaa Modinee in its critical review says the three birth-line marks or folds in the neck represent the three strands of Mangalyasootra alone:

Bhraguna gunah yoe maangalya sootraroopah tasya sankhyaah triprakaaraah |

Also Lalitasahasranama has the following reference:

Om kaamo baddha-maangalya-sootra-sobhita kandaraayai namah |

Obeisence to Paraasakti(OM) whose neck is adorned with love-bound  Maangalyasootra!

Lord Siva after killing demon Gajaasura took out the pearls from his head and adorned the neck of Devi with that necklace besides Maangalyasootra.  Soundryalahari also describes the ritual of stepping on the hard stone and wearing nose studs. Parvati also wears the pearl necklace given by Siva permanently as described in the same text. It also glorifies Lalita as some believe that Thaali was actually a tiger tooth that was tied around the bride’s neck by the bridegroom as a gift. The bridegroom himself defeats the tiger without any weapon and brings the tooth to tie in his girl’s neck as a token of bravery and courage, symbolizing that he can protect his wife throughout his lifetime from evils.

The three knots symbolize three different aspects of married woman—body, mind and spirit. As sahadharminee or equal partners in discharging obligations of Dharma she gets tied with her husband in body, mind and spirit. That does not mean she is not independent to think as some Westerners feel. They are free to express their opinion, discuss and take joint decision to act in unison be it spiritual or social. Without the participation of his wife no husband can perform any religious rite or ritual as per scriptural injunctions.    The first knot represents   the bride should respect her husband   through her entire life.  With the second knot the girl is reminded to continue to respect her parents as well as her husband’s parents and to serve them expressing her everlasting gratitude and love.  As explained earlier a Hindu-wedding is between two families which come close to each other besides the girl and boy brought together in holy matrimony. The third knot signifies respect to God or spiritual path.    Eldest sister-in-law of the bridegroom ties   the second and   third knots or additional knots symbolizing that the bride’s love should extend to all the siblings of the boy who have moved out of the family after wedding but who still keep very close  relationship with the boy. The girl likes to divert the love of the boy’s sister which her husband has been showing to his sister so far as the new entrant.  This may cause some pain and trouble in due course. With this knot tying participation   amicability is sought after so that they equally share the love. This applies to all the sisters of the boy. There is a general wrong notion that sister-in-law often dominates and quarrels and so also Mother-in-law.  May be they are more legal minded than mother or sister as the name suggests and misunderstood! This participation in tying the knots is to overcome that sort of inhibitions and diversity.  In some traditions the bridegroom ties all the three knots and the sister-in-law ties the fourth or more knots.   The bridegroom ties the Mangalasutra to the neck of the bride uttering, “May you live hundred winters by wearing this sacred Mangalasutra, and become the very purpose of my life”. Married women wear a Mangalasutra throughout their life as it is believed that the practice enhances the well-being of her husband and family. It is also believed that the Mangalasutra protects the dignity of marriage from any evil eye as she wears this distinct insignia visible easily to on-lookers. It is believed the powerful blessing of Devi invoked    at the time of wedding continues to protect her throughout her life. In typical   Brahmin Tradition the boy is invested with a second set of holy thread or  Yajnopaveeta signifying he is married and is in equal partnership with his wife to perform acts of Dharma. So far his main concentration had been on Artha and Kaama guided by Dharama and now that Dharma should lead him   through the right path to Moksha opening the spiritual window. This aspect is stressed for both the boy and the girl in Maangalya Dhaarana, Yajnopaveeta Dhaarana and wearing of the sindhoor along the path of Brahmarandra on the head.

There is yet another significance as to the tying of the knot. The girl is given as Kanyaadana which is an act of giving away the girl in charity.   In Hindu value this could mean one who accepts the girl in charity incurs a debt (rina) in accepting it. This debt is repaid by acts of Dharma by the boy in equal partnership with the bride whom   he has accepted as Sahadaharminee  and acquires the eligibility for conducting acts of sacrifice. Tying of knots 3 times is   like a legal binding. We are all familiar with the legal oath in which a person in witness stand is made to repeat the word Truth thrice.

A knot literally means fastening together two ends of a rope, string or things similar. This definition gives some relief to later practice of discarding the rope.  In putting the hooks together of the chain is considered as knotting.  In north Indian practice there is also the practice of Gathabandhan. It means bringing together the boy and the girl by symbolically tying loose ends of their scarf and veil, or other clothing.  From two individuals-two bodies and two minds--they become a single entity through holy matrimony.  Apart from the Mangalasutra, the toe rings (bichhua), kumkum (Sacred vermilion), bangles,   black pearls and nose ring form six symbols necessary for a married woman of South Indian   culture.   In some traditions toe rings are put on by sister-in law.   These also form part of sixteen steps beautification of the bride (Sola Singar). In fact the bride is dressed on the model of divines drawing inspiration from the divine brides Andal, Parvati and   Sita celebrated in Puranas during their weddings. While there are local variations with respect to the others, the Mangalasutra is nevertheless worn by most married women in southern parts of India. Srilalita is described as wearing genuine pearl nose ring on her left nose in Soundaryalahari sloka 61 (sisirakara nisvaasagalitam muktaamanidharah iva).

Mangaya Dharana ritual takes place at exactly the pre-determined auspicious (Muhurtam) time observed meticulously to the minute. When the Maangalya is tied all disturbing and inauspicious sounds are deafened by Naadaswaram (wind pipe) raised to its highest pitch (called Gattimelam in Tamil).   Thali-gold pendant knotted on both sides along with golden beads smeared with turmeric and Vermilion is placed in a tray with betel leaf and nut, coconut, banana and turmeric paste and taken round the gathering of elders to receive their blessings for a happy and long married life.  It is blessed by the congregation and the priest sprinkles kumkum on the Thali and blesses it with waving of the lamp invoking the blessings of Devi, Mother Goddess. It is then given to the groom to tie the knots accompanied by his senior-most sister.

APPLYING  TILAK WITH SINDHOOR OR KUMKUM (VERMILION)

This ceremony is called Sumangalee Kriya, meaning auspicious ceremony.  The Tilak or dot adorns the middle of the forehead at the partition of the hairs.  This is a must in North Indian Traditions. This signifies opening of the third eye   symbolic of spiritual enlightenment. The groom puts his arm around the bride to put the red dot on her forehead which must always adorn her as it signifies her married status easily visible to all. After this the girl moves to the left side of the boy and occupies that position as long as they are married and live together.  The Bride is called Vaamangi (left-side partner) after this ceremony. When Brahma split himself as female and male, female part emerged out of his left. 

Sindhoor at the partition of head cautions all people around that the lady of the house should   be respected as Mother Goddess and   protected   against all evil eyes and moves. Vermilion red color is Symbolic of Brahma, the Creator. It is also favorite color of Shakti.  In Devi Bhaagavatam Bhagavati says “Brahma and I (Sakti) are one” Together they are the creative power.  Husband and wife are together responsible for   propagation and growth of the family. Wearing of Sindhoor (vermilion)   in  the hair parting  by married woman is strongly recommended by religious and spiritual  authorities  as this point is just above the suture in the scalp and a little above the point  where the soul resides in line with Brahmarandra through which Udana departs in its life’s journey. The tradition of this wearing sindhoor follows Srilalita who wears naveena arka-kiranamiva sindhooram, vermilion (sindhoor) shining like the rising sun in the morning as described in Soundarya-lahari. This point is also more delicate in women than in men and vermilion has the healing power.  The application vermilion helps to avoid wrinkles and skin problems and protects one from evil influences. It also deters the spread of lice. Women who have a hair-parting or eyebrows inflicted by snake-like line that is considered inauspicious should overcome the problem by the use of vermilion according to Saamudreeka Saastra.

REFERENCES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:    

1. Swami Bhaskarananda,   Essentials of Hinduism, Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.

2. Ed Viswanathan, Am I A Hindu? Rupa & Co., New Delhi,  India.

3.  Dr. Prem P Bhalla, Hindu Rites, Rituals, Customs & Traditions, Pustak Mahal, Delhi, India.

4. Vivaaha Mantraartha Bhodhini" --published in Tamil by M/S The Little Flower Company, T.Nagar, Madras 600 017.

5. Srinivasan N.R., Vivaaham-- Hindu   Braahma    Sacred Matrimony, <nrsrini.blogspot.com>

6. Various Internet sources

7. Anna, Soundaryalaharee Bhashyam (Tamil), Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.

APPENDIX

An Astrology Expert’s Opinion on Vivaaham

“To my knowledge astrological matching boy’s and girl’s   horoscope for holy matrimony was very rare back around 100 years or so! Only the Purohit (Priest) who conducted the marriage used to see the star and the Gotra.  If both parties had doubt they used to go to a temple and place a white flower and a red flower in betel leaves separately. After placing the same before the presiding deity an innocent boy or girl would be asked pick one of the closed leaves.  If they picked white flower they agreed for the marriage. If they picked the leaf with red flower they agreed to cancel that marriage proposal. This was the system prevailing then. I also feel astrological matching is not a must for marriage.  Manu Smriti says if the parents of the girl do not find a match for the girl before three years after the girl’s  attaining puberty, she has every right to choose her partner. In Hindu marriage Panigrahanam and Kanyaka Daanam are to be performed during the Muhurtam.  Muhurtam time is fixed to overcome all ill effects in the horoscope.  During Mangalya Dhaaranam only a Sanskrit Sloka is chanted and not a sacred  Vedic Mantra  and therefore this is  not  the  most sacred step  as it is made out today. In earlier days only a Kantha sootram was tied around the neck of the bridegroom for the   occasion like the holy thread tied to the hand. You may also note that this sloka is also used during Shashthiabdi poorti celebrations (60^th birthday of husband if wife is alive when the marriage ceremony  is reenacted.  Srimad Bhagavatam predicts Sangara Vargam (people marrying out of caste) would increase and gradually all caste system would fail in Chapter 12 while elaborating on Kaliyuga Lakshana” says our astrology expert. [Here is a justification for love marriage as well as inter-caste marriage too in Hinduism.]

A NOTE ON VARIOUS MANGALYA DESIGNS

According to Hindu cultural ethos, the Mangala sutra celebrates the relationship between a husband and a wife and is for the long life of the husband. The bridegroom ties the Mangala sutra to the neck of the bride uttering, “May you live long by wearing this sacred mangal sutra, the reason of my life” (maangalyam tantunaa hetu……).  Married women wear a mangala sutra throughout their life as it is believed that the practice enhances the well-being of her husband and family. It is also believed that the mangala sutra protects the marriage from any evil eye. Three knots symbolize three different aspects of a married woman - the first knot represents her obedience to her husband, the second to his parents and the third represents her respect for God.

However, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has a fascinating information about the origin of the Mangala Sutra... Traditionally, long ago, it was just a cotton thread. The real significance was brought forth during the marriage--this thread being  used to tie the energy naadis of the bride and the groom together, making it a meta-physical energy bond. 

Regarding the significance of black/red/white beads,   the black beads protect the wearer from the "Evil Eye" or Drishti. This practice is commonly also found in the Drishti Bangles which are put on babies to protect them from the evil eye. The coral is said to negate the evil effects of the planet Mars. On the positive side Mars is said to be the planet of action. Wearing of coral  helps remove obstacles in marriage and also to overcome marital problems. It helps to develop self-confidence and protect married women from widowhood.  Diamond is said to add a certain charm to the wearer's personality besides bestowing luxuries and comforts too. There is an increase in material wealth, fame and enhancement of artistic abilities.  It brings romance and a general zest into one's life.  Sexual deficiencies are reduced and disorders are dispelled. It is said that it helps mitigate fever. Heera, emerald stone increases longevity and enhances the image of the wearer in social and family circle.  It bestows the wearer, the willingness to execute their planned objectives and protect those, who often waiver to take timely decisions. It also enables the wearer to do good deeds, meriting commendation and acclaim. It also provoke a state of spiritual ecstasy and enables the wearer to meet the challenges boldly in life.

The black beads perform the task of pulling the distressing energies or Raja-Tama components from the woman or from the environment. The task of eliminating the Raja-Tama components and the negative energies is performed by the gold beads and the wire. A talisman is worn around the neck for warding off the distress due to negative energy. The black string of the talisman performs the task of attracting the negative energies, and the Vibhuti in the talisman performs the task of eliminating the distressing energy. In the mangalsutra, the black beads are used in place of the black string, and gold in place of the Vibhuti. Black beads also believed to help in absorbing excess body heat and keep the breast milk at body temperature.

The four golden beads used in Srivaishnava Mangalya chain  may also signify  four  Purusharthas  Dharma, Artha, Kama, and  Moksha in life in   which the wife has to follow her husband  after the holy knots and Saptapadi.  Please recall Janaka’s advice to Sita after Panigrahana ceremony. Besides they have Sankha and Chakra and Namam in their lotus pendants, all symbols of Vishnu.  Four beads may also represent four Vyuhas of Vishnu—Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha, protecting her all the time. The four corners of Swastika about which I talked above also represents  A, U, M and Ardhamatra of Aum when joined forms  a circle Brahmachakra of 360 degrees.

Saivites have Linga and three horizontal lines.  However these designs vary according to the family traditions coming from generations.

The oval shape created in the middle of the circular formation of the mangalsutra helps the woman imbibe the Divine vibrations at the unmanifest level, because the oval shape is associated with the unmanifest kriya-shakti (Energy of action) of Shrivishṇu(Brahmachakra). This shape performs the task of awakening the Sushumna naḍi (The central channel of the spiritual energy flow system), it helps the prakriti in the form of woman to unite with Deity Shiva in the form of man, and thus aids in the woman’s early liberation from Maya.’

Swastika is Pre-Aryan, Dates Back 11,000 years

By Times of India | Mar 05, 2017 

---

Swastika – the Indian symbol of peace and continuity that Hitler co-opted for his twisted Aryan supremacy theory – is much older than believed, older than the Aryans and even the Indus Valley Civilization, says a team of top-notch researchers from some of the most prestigious institutions in India.

The researchers say the Swastika dates back at least 11,000 years and have traced its spread to western and Middle-Eastern civilizations. In fact, one of their key findings is that an Ukranian Swastika, believed to date back 12,000 years to the Paleolithic Age, may not be this old, say sources.

The team will announce these and other “breakthroughs” at the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) on July 8, exhibiting all the evidence they have collected. They will also answer queries.

The research was like solving a jigsaw puzzle in the maze of history, involving study of codes and symbols that would excite Dan Brown.

Based at IIT-Kharagpur and led by one of its most senior professors, it was conducted by Sandhi, an HRD ministry-sponsored effort to amalgamate ancient Indian knowledge systems with contemporary science.

The riddle was pieced together by scholars from many IITs, NITs, Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology-Ahmedabad, School of Planning and Architecture-Bhopal, and Jadavpur University . In tracking the antiquity of the Swastika, the researchers came across a staggering discovery -that the Rig Veda, generally associated with Aryan civilization, existed much before that, dating back to the pre-Harappan times in the form of Shruti that were orally handed down through the Indus Valley civilization.

“We have found the most mature and geometrically ordered Swastika in the pre-Harappan times in the form of seals. We have also been able to trace the mention of the Swastika in the Vedas around the same time. These are scintillating findings that will help us announce that the Indian civilization is far more ancient than what is written in accepted history books, mostly by Europeans,” said Joy Sen, a faculty member at IIT-Kharagpur faculty and lead project investigator.

The team will show how the Swastika migrated from India -through the Tartar Mongoloid route via Kamchatka to the Americas (hence the plethora of Swastikas in the Aztec and Mayan civilizations), and through the Western land route to Finland, Scandinavia, British Highlands and Europe where the symbol is present in varying shapes of the cruciform.

“After dividing the world into nine quadrants into which Swastika moved from India, we retraced its footprints and have been able to graphically prove our claim through ancient seals, inscriptions, imprints, and religious symbolism in these countries. We will reveal it in great detail,” Sen said.

Unfortunately talk of Swastika cannot avoid the horrors of its hijack by Hitler to suit his Aryan supremacy theory. “It inspired Schopenhauer, Friedrich Nietzsche and their progeny, Adolf Hitler, who started an inverted agenda of anti-Semitism based on a falsified Aryan invasion myth through seven years of war, terror, corruption and extermination,” Sen said.