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More from @GemsOfINDOLOGY

GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Dec 30

Did lay Buddhists truly accept the caste system without objection?

Y. Krishnan's critical analysis sheds light on this controversial topic, revealing insights into the complexities of Buddhism and caste discrimination.

Join me as we unravel the truth in this enlightening #thread.

1/23

A. Varna as the Basis of Castes:

The Madhura Sutta (84), Kannakatthala Sutta (90), and Assalayana Sutta (93) from the Majjhima Nikaya, as well as the Cullavagga ix.1.4 of the Vinaya Pitaka, all acknowledge the existence of four castes: Kshatriya, Brahmana, Vaisya, and Sudra.

2/23

The current caste, or 'Jati', is determined not by present actions but by past 'karmas'. Anyone from any class can be recognized for their noble deeds, but to belong to a higher caste, one must be reborn into it.

3/23

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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Dec 19

Ashwamedha "अश्व मेध" to Ashwavadha "अश्व वध:" : a concocted Mughal journey.

Ashwamedha as Horse sacrifice was propagated by Moghuls as against popular belief that Britishers tempered it. Here are chronological archaeo and painting records proving ashwamedha was never to kill horse untill the Mughal courtiers interpolated it.

The study found that 27 kings from 18 dynasties had performed a total of 81 documented Ashwamedha Yagyas from the 1st century BCE to the 18th century CE.

Here we go. Retweet and bookmark this important debunking

#Archaeology

1/24

Hindu ancient text emphasises the importance of Yagya and Nation building. Two of major text arer here

ऋग्वेदः - "अ॒ग्निमीळे॑ पुरोहितं॒ य॒ज्ञस्य॑ देवं॒ ऋत्विज॑म्। हो॒तारं॑ रत्नधात॒मम्॥" इति। अत्र अग्निः यज्ञे पुरोहितः (ऋत्विज्) भवति।
”agnim īḻe purohitaṃ yajñasya devam ṛtvijam | hotāraṃ ratnadhātamam ||” implies that the agni is the purohit (priest) in this sacred spiritual act (yagya)

शतपथब्राह्मणम् (१३.१.६) इत्यस्मिन् स्पष्टं वर्तते - "राष्ट्रं वा अश्वमेधः"। अत्र अश्वमेधयज्ञस्य वास्तविकं तात्पर्यम् देशस्य सुशासनं व्यवस्थापनं च इति, यत्र मानवसाधनं पर्यावरणं च सम्मिलितं भवतः।

Shatpath Brahman (13.1.6), it is stated that ”Rashtram va Ashwamedha”, which implies the real meaning of Ashwamedha Yagya is to administer and manage the country efficiently, which not only involves human resources but also the ecosystem.

Note: No Horse "Sacrifice" Advised.

2/24

Earliest inscriptional evidence about Aśvamedha is found in Naneghat dating 1st century bce

The dialipidiating inscriptions says, that The Aśvamedha yajña was performed for 3 years. Sātakarṇi performed this yajña twice, which implies that he had to establish his sovereignty twice. This suggests that his supremacy may have been challenged after the first Aśvamedha yajña. The second Aśvamedha yajña likely indicates his regaining of hegemony.

Sātakarṇi extended the Sātavāhana rule beyond the Deccan Region, and he was undoubtedly a great conqueror. In the inscription, he has been eulogized as 'Pṛṭhvyāḥ Prathama Vīra' or the foremost warrior of the earth.

The donations given during these yajñas included a horse with silver trappings and decorated with gold ornaments, 14,000 Kārṣapaṇas, and one cart with grains. Apart from these, a village was also donated—one of the first instances of the donation of a village to a beneficiary. This custom was continued by later Sātavāhana rulers and became common practice by the Gupta period.

The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa mentions different types of Aśvamedha yajñas. Different varieties of animals—both wild and domesticated—were to be brought to the yajña vedi, and the wild animals were to be let go after the fire was taken around them.

Note : No horse sacrifice

3/24

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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Dec 3

"Connections Between Vedic and Sumerian Civilizations"

Meru and Sumeru might not be just mythological concepts; they could have coexisted with striking similarities.

Both cultures worshipped sun deities and had similar creation myths involving cosmic battles and detailed genealogies of gods. Linguistic parallels further support these connections.

Despite historical gaps, this analysis offers a glimpse into ancient cross-cultural influences, inviting us to consider how ideas traveled long before modern communication.

#Bookmark this #Thread of #Threads 📚

1/

***Language***

Sumerian and Sanskrit, though geographically distant, share intriguing similarities offering insights into early human civilization. Both are among the oldest written languages, with linguistic ties suggesting possible cultural exchange between their regions.

Sumerian and Sanskrit share complex inflectional systems for nouns, verbs, and sentences, suggesting common structural principles or ancient interactions. Lexical similarities also exist in areas like agriculture, family, nature, and religion.

Shail Vyas, Homi Bhabha Fellow, found more than 90 commonalities amont the name of musical instruments x.com/Ugra___/status…

2/

The Bakshali manuscript mentions Sumeru, which is intriguing given that the Sumerians became extinct 5,000 years ago. This suggests that either the Bakshali birch was conceived much earlier, or the Sumerians survived until the start of the Common Era. The former is more likely.

Interestingly, the Akkadians referred to the Indian region as "Meluha," a name that closely resembles "Meru." x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY…

3/

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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Nov 13

"Breast Cloth" and "Mulakkam" : a Breast tax or Adulthood tax

The projection as "Breast-Tax" is a recent twist.

No records in 300 years of history—discovery only 48 years ago.

#thread #bookmark

1/15

Mentions of Breast-Tax in Chronology:

- 1972: Book by T.K. Ravi
- 1973: Book by T.K. Ravi
- 2000: Book by S.N. Sadesivan
- 2011: Book by A. Raju
- 2016: BBC
- 2017: Indiatimes, Scroll, The Hindu
- 2018: Deccan Chronicle, India Today, Movie by Pagare
- 2019: Books by Menon, Emmanuel T, Subhrashis, S. Pillai

2/15

Surprising to see sudden spurt in a story being pushed as an EVIL collectively by several people. Books are being written on a fake story.

3/15

Read 15 tweets

GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Nov 10

Boar: Reverence to Hunt

Boars embody incredible strength, courage, virility, and ferocity, making them formidable creatures both revered and feared across cultures.

Throughout Bharat's known history, since Kaliyuga in 3101 BCE, Varah has been depicted saving Bhumi Devi, symbolizing the divine intervention and the cosmic duty of preserving the earth. Varah, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu, embodies the primal power and resilience necessary to uphold the world.

On the contrary, hunting boar was heroic in known Western history, celebrated in epic tales and royal pastimes, where the hunt tested bravery and skill. The boar was a symbol of both bounty and battle.

In modern times, "suar/swine" is used as an insult, reflecting a shift in perception. Let us begin with what is available on Boar, bridging ancient reverence and contemporary views.

Long thread #Bookmark and Share

1/17

Boars, a species of wild pigs, are believed to have originated in the lush, biodiverse landscapes of Indonesia approximately 4.2 million years ago. Over millennia, these adaptable creatures migrated and thrived across various terrains, leading to their domestication in East and Central Asia around 10,000 years ago. This domestication marked a pivotal shift in human agricultural practices, influencing the development of early civilizations.

Note: The accompanying map serves solely for illustrative purposes and does not delineate modern political boundaries or country borders.

2/17

The presence of wild boar in India is vividly captured through ancient rock art and petroglyphs, with depictions securely dating back to between 30,000 and 12,000 years ago.

1. Bhimbetka wild boar hunting scene: These prehistoric images, spanning 30,000 to 6,000 years before present, offer a glimpse into early human life and their hunting practices, illustrating the boar's significance in survival and culture.

2. Ratnagiri boar: Dating to 12,000 years before present, this depiction highlights the enduring relationship between humans and wild boars, showcasing their importance across millennia.

3/17

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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Oct 30

Crackers are not the real culprits for air pollution in Delhi: It all started with the Punjab and Haryana Water Acts of 2008.

Forget Diwali crackers; let's discuss these acts and their environmental impact. It's not fireworks; the real culprits are often ignored.

Bookmark and share this important information.

1/9

The pollution issue traces back to the 1970s and 80s during the transformative Green Revolution in Punjab and Haryana. Aimed at bolstering national food security, traditional crops like maize, pearl millet, pulses, and oilseeds were swapped for a wheat-paddy rotation. However, the consequences for water tables were overlooked.

The adoption of contemporary irrigation methods, including tube wells, has inadvertently led to over-extraction of groundwater, draining vital aquifers. This depletion poses a serious threat to farming and fresh water resources.

With the change in cultivation patterns, particularly in Punjab, a concerning phenomenon started to unfold—the rapid decline of the water table.

2/9

Punjab Govt Tackles Water Crisis Head-On, Regulates Paddy Cultivation

In 2008, a law was enacted banning farmers from transplanting saplings before June 10.

This move helped conserve water tables but pressured farmers for time, forcing them to cultivate more quickly.

With less time to prepare fields and dispose of plant waste, burning parali has become the only option.

3/9

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