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GemsOfINDOLOGY (Modi Ka Pariwar)

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Apr 14

A recently published research paper delves into the likely interpolations in Valmiki Ramayan, with a specific focus on two sections:

1. 'Bala Kanda's Original Ramayan'
2. 'Uttara Kanda'

Valmiki Ramayan, often hailed as the national epic of India, was penned by the pioneering poet of the literary world, the 'Adi Kavi' Guru Valmiki.

The paper underscores the unique characteristics of the 'Uttara Kanda,' highlighting its distinct content, texture, and poetic quality. It delves deeper into an exploration of this section, outlining disparities between the 'Uttara Kanda' and the other six Kandas by analyzing nuances of its poetic style including language, style, emotion, and expressions.

Moreover, the research scrutinizes various incidents such as the Phalashruti at the end of 'Yuddha Kanda,' Sita's banishment, Shambuk's termination, the narrative of Valmiki Ramayan sung by Lava-Kusa, and Sita's Agni Pariksha to investigate potential interpolations.

In essence, this research paper offers a comprehensive analysis of these interpolations in Valmiki Ramayan, particularly spotlighting the 'Uttara Kanda.'

Presenting findings of the paper without adding or compressing it. If you are in a hurry this thread is not for you, but since you are reading this line you must go further and comment as a peer reviewer on the research paper link in last tweet...

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The Valmiki Ramayan comprises around 24,000 shlokas, with each shloka being a verse. These verses are categorized into seven kandas:

1. Bala Kanda
2. Ayodhya Kanda
3. Aranya Kanda
4. Kishkindha Kanda
5. Sundara Kanda
6. Yuddha Kanda
7. Uttara Kanda

The text notes that the Valmiki Ramayan is made up of 500 sargas, but it actually contains over 600 chapters. (xi-xvi)

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Several factors distinguish 'Uttara Kanda' from the other six Kandas:

1) Literary Style: While the first six Kandas maintain a consistent writing style, 'Uttara Kanda' stands out with its distinct poetic style. The language used in 'Uttara Kanda' also differs from that of the other Kandas.

2) Verse Count: 'Uttara Kanda' contains fewer and less common verses, including unique counts like 18, 20, and 10.

3) Timing and Style Evolution: 'Uttara Kanda' appears to have been added at a later stage, showcasing variations in language, style, emotion, and expression compared to the content from 'Bala Kanda' to 'Yuddha Kanda'.

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GemsOfINDOLOGY (Modi Ka Pariwar)

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Apr 11

Closed, endogamous communities have a rich history in Southern Asia. Throughout the past millennium, they have been referred to as 'jati' in Sanskrit, 'qaum' in Arabic, 'zat' in Persian, among other terms.

Interestingly, there is no direct equivalent for "caste" in any Indian or Asian language, despite its pervasive use today in Indian public and policy discussions.

The term was originally introduced as 'casta' by Iberians – Portuguese and Spanish – first in the Iberian peninsula and later in Asia and the Americas. However, the precise ways in which this term was utilized – descriptively, administratively, and sociologically – remain less explored.

There have been classification in most parts of the world based on their status, color, hierarchy etc.

Lets delve

#Bookmark this #thread on Caste system in the ancient world

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The term "caste" has a rich history. Originally derived from Spanish and Portuguese, it referred to lineage or tribe. The word took on its modern sense when Portuguese colonizers encountered the Indian social groups in 1498, where it described endogamous social divisions.

The term "caste" was first used in English in 1613 in the context of India. In Latin America, "caste" is also used to refer to a racial classification system based on ancestry. Despite the linguistic link between the Latin American and South Asian systems, the comparability of the two remains a subject of debate.

Historically, European societies were stratified into closed social systems like nobility, clergy, bourgeoisie, and peasants. Each group had distinct privileges and rights that were inherited and not based on wealth or citizenship. Inter-caste marriage often led to loss of privileges. Some countries gave titles to these groups with their own codes of behavior and dress. These closed social classes were sometimes referred to as estates in parts of Europe.

In European society, below the recognized estates, a large group of serfs served those with status. Serfs endured into the mid-19th century, with limited rights and restricted mobility. Marriage and living arrangements were controlled by State, Church, landowners, and local custom.

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The Sistema de Castas in colonial New Spain classified people by race, with Spaniard as the most desirable and Negro as the least. Blacks were marginalized, while some of African descent achieved elevated status within the system.

1. Peninsulares: Spaniards born in Spain, held highest status in colonies.

2. Criollos: Spaniards born in Americas, seen as inferior, faced discrimination.

3. Mestizos: Mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, middle hierarchy position.

4. Mulattos: Mixed European and African ancestry, faced discrimination.

5. Zambos: Mixed Indigenous and African ancestry, marginalized.

6. Indigenous peoples: Native Americans, subjected to forced labor and discrimination.

7. Africans: Enslaved, at the bottom of social hierarchy.

3/

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GemsOfINDOLOGY (Modi Ka Pariwar)

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Mar 24

Unraveling the Mystique of the Indian Holi Festival 🎨
From All-Women to Coed,
From Music & Fire to Water,
From feast to Bhang

Called by various names throughout the ages and regions : "Dol-Jatra", "Dulhendi", "Dhola", "Odad", "Holikotsav", "Holi", "Rangwali Holi", "Dol Purnima", "Dhuleti", "Dhulandi", "Ukuli", "Manjal Kuli", "Yaosang", "Shigmo", "Phagwah", or "Jajiri"

-Archaeo evidences suggest that Full moon of Falguna was celebrated by woman with music followed by a full night Jagran on following day dedicating to Shiva untill ~1000 years ago
-Evidence of pichkaries and Water are seen from 10th century some participation by man is also visible in this era
-Around 1500, The men participation increased
-Around 1750, Radha Krishna paintings also became popular.
-By 1970, Holi association with Bhang is seen

Let’s explore the Journey of #Holi as we know today #Thread DM #होलिका_दहन Happy Holi

1/13

3rd century bce

The earliest mention of the Holi festival dates back to the Sitabenga Cave Inscription from the 2nd or 3rd century BCE. - “adipayariiti hadayarti 1 sabhava-garu kavayo e ratayarh .... dule vasarhtiya hasavanubhute I kudasphataiii evarii alarh g”
-It describes how during the swing-festival of the vernal full moon, people used to tie garlands thick with jasmine flowers around their necks as they enjoyed frolics and music.

-In a second picture from Chandraketugarh, Bengal, woman can be seen playing music with garlands around her neck. (Similar to the inscription found in Sitabenga) This suggests that around 2200 years ago, Holi may have been primarily a women's festival.

-Approximately 2200 years ago, during the time of Holi, the weather would have been as hot as it is on April 23rd today due to the earth's precession.

2/13

7th c. ce

King Harsha mentioned Holikotsav in his work 'Ratnavali.'

Holikotsav is an ancient Hindu festival that signifies the victory of good over evil. It typically falls on a full moon day during February-March and marks the beginning of spring.

3/13

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GemsOfINDOLOGY (Modi Ka Pariwar)

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Feb 8

"African Eve: Hoax or Hypothesis?"

- A critical analysis of the replacement hypothesis suggesting modern humans evolved only in sub-Saharan Africa.
- The hypothesis is refuted using genetic, anthropological, and archaeological perspectives.

#Archaeology

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The field of Pleistocene archaeology and paleoanthropology has been compromised by sectarian preoccupations and struggles for authority.

- The concept of "anatomically modern humans" is nonsensical.
- The belief upheld for a long time is that the "Upper Paleolithic" was introduced from Africa to Europe.
- The case of false datings by Professor Reiner Protsch "von Zieten", exposed in 2003.
- The "Afro-European sapiens" model and the "African Eve" complete replacement scenario have gained traction but face methodological problems.
- The mitochondrial Eve model, which assumed constancy of mutation rates, has been debunked.
- Various genetic hypotheses about the origins of "Moderns" have placed the hypothetical split between them and other humans at different periods.

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The genetic basis of the replacement hypothesis lacks sound data. Factors such as contamination, base substitution, and DNA fragmentation undermine its credibility.

The rapidly dominant paradigm in human evolution had considerable impacts. The epistemology of the "African Eve hypothesis" therefore requires examination.

Notably, the replacement hypothesis profoundly influenced paleoanthropology and Pleistocene archaeology.

This paper presents two hypotheses:
1) One lacking empirical support
2) Another with ample support and explanatory potential.

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GemsOfINDOLOGY (Modi Ka Pariwar)

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Jan 29

Step into a world of mystery and enchantment.

Unveil the secrets of the ancient Minoans in Crete and their fascinating link to the Indus Valley.

Prepare to be awestruck by the astonishing remnants they left behind.

🧵 Join me on this incredible journey.

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Interestingly enough, there are significant similarities between the Minoan civilization and the Indus Saraswati Valley Civilization #IVSC

- Marvel at their advanced cities and magnificent palaces.
- Explore their bustling trade routes and sophisticated writing system.
- Admire their intricate artistry – from seals to pottery.
- Immerse yourself in vibrant frescoes that depict both sacred and everyday scenes.
- Witness their unique matriarchal religion with its striking snake and bull motifs, along with thrilling rituals like bull-leaping.
- Take note of how, during the Bronze Age, the Minoans left an indelible mark on Mycenaean culture, centered around the awe-inspiring Knossos.
- Around 1600 BC, they reached the zenith of their civilization, boasting paved streets, piped water systems, and symbolic motifs.
- both civilization developed a writing system yet to be deciphered
- the vastu complying burial practices show starking similarities
- Both revered nature and had deities associated with fertility and animals such as snakes and bulls.

Lets check out the similarities listed above

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The similarities between the two civilisation can be witnessed even till date despite one civilisation died and other continued.

India's receptiveness to Greek influences after Alexander's campaign can be attributed to the shared roots between India's pre-historic Indus culture and Minoan Crete.

In contrast to traditional temple structures, the Minoans practiced unique customs such as their reverence for the Mother Goddess, worship of the snake-Goddess, and emphasis on the Bull in their religion. They also had a notable inclination towards phallic worship, pillar cults, reverence for the sacred tree, and the use of double axe symbols. Additionally, their distinctiveness from other civilizations was evident in the absence of temples or monumental images.

The resemblances between the Indus and Minoan civilizations are truly extraordinary. The Greek Gods, such as Zeus, and Vedic Gods like Dyaus, share remarkable similarities. Other fascinating comparisons can be made, such as the correspondence between Varun and Ouranos, Usas and Greek Eos, Sarameya and Hermes, Yavistha and Hephaestus, and Swaha and the Greek deity Hestia.

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GemsOfINDOLOGY (Modi Ka Pariwar)

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Jan 17

#Thread The star 'Canopus' has an intriguing connection with 'Agastya'.

Throughout millennia, their cosmic dance unfolds.

From Kanyakumari to Vindya, a celestial tale unfolds.

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#archaeohistories #Archaeology

Due to Earth's precession, the visibility of the star 'Agastya' or Canoplus has been changing:

- Initially, it was observed from Kanyakumari around 10,000 BCE
- Later, from Vindhya around 5200 BCE
- Jammu 1400 BCE

Looking forward, the predictions are as follows:

- Visible from Jammu upto 3400 CE
- Visible from Vindhya until approximately 7400 CE
- Visible from Kanyakumari until around 11,000 CE

2/8

Puranic story tells us that the Vindhya mountain tried to compete with the Himalayas in height by becoming taller and taller. Agastya arrived, the Vindhya mountain prostrated before him in reverence
The sage said that he was going south and that the mountain should lie prostrated till he returned. But the sage never returned thus laying the Vindhyas flat for ever.

Agastya-Vindhya Lore: Traced in Indian Epics and Puranas

The illustrious tale of Agastya's journey towards the south is not limited to a single source but can be found in two major Indian epics, namely the Mahabharata (MBH) and Ramayana (RMN), as well as various Puranas. Interestingly, when these accounts are compared, they share remarkable similarities regarding this memorable event.

In both the Mahabharata and Ramayana narratives, Agastya plays a significant role by contributing his wisdom and divine powers to aid protagonists on their quests. However, it is during one particular episode that Agastya's migration "southwards" becomes prominent.

This distinct aspect of the lore presents an intriguing parallel across different ancient texts. Although variations may exist based on regional retellings or poetic interpretations within each work, scholars have noted commonalities that suggest a shared cultural memory surrounding Agasyta's southern expedition.

3/8

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