worship of Nature-essence of Indian tradition

Why is it that whenever any festival or religious ceremony or any special day is celebrated in India, the Nature worship Prakriti pooja, always has prominence? More over these religious “thiti”-dates  or special days are being celebrated in India since centuries; many are Pre-Vedic or Vedic era? We all know how old our Veda are? 
,lk D;ksa gS fd Hkkjr esa tc Hkh dksb frfFk iwtk ;k vU; dksb /kkfeZd vk;kstu gksrk gS mlesa izd`fr iwtk izeq[k ,oa vfuok;Z gksrh gS\ ,sls lHkh ioZ “kfn;ksa ls Hkkjr esa euk, tk  jgs gSaA irk ugha dc ls\ dqN iwoZ oSfnd vkSj dqN oSfnd dky ls euk, tkrs gSA     

o`{kiwtk Hkwfeiwtk i`Foh vUu i“kq if{k Qy vkdk“k ty ok;q o’kkZ ufn leqnz ioZr rkykc iks[kj ouLifr lw;Z pUnzek xzg vkfn lc iwts tkrs gSaA D;ksafd budk ekuo thou esa egRo gSA bl egRo dks /;ku es j[krs gq;s gh gekjs iwoZtksa us izd`fr dh iwtk dk fo/kku j[kk Fkk\ 
Tree, Earth, Mother Nature, Animals, Birds, fruits, even Sky, water, Air, River, Sea, Mountain, Pond, Lake, Vegetation all are worhisped. Sun, Moon, Planets are also worshiped. Does it not sounds strange? Yes but it has been there for centuries, it has been done since centuries.  All are revered. 


In Savitri Vat सावित्री वट पूजा pooja main deity is this Banyan Tree वट वृक्ष . This tree as it seems live forever. It never seems to Die. Thus due to this magical power it is regarded as a immortal deity who can give boon 'to live long life". Therefore on this day which often falls in months of May or June every year Married women pray for long life of their husbands & Sons. Themselves they observe Fast, they do not drink even water without performing pooja (worship) of the Banyan Tree . In disguise I understand that they seek blessings from this tree to bless them so that they can die being a married women? they must die being a Suhagan lnklqgkxu? it is may be, due to gender discrimination or inequality? i had written a blog in this Burgad Pooja (click to read).

The shoot head buds are swallowed by women so that they can have a SON? who in turn will carry forward the family and provide support to their mothers?  Later in time a story of Savitri is added to this day. She was a brave lady. Once satyavan, her husband was dying. The god of death came to take him away to Yam lok. Savitri moved behind the god of death, wherever he took her husband she kept following them. in many attempts God of death tried to dissuade her from following, but he failed in all his attempts. He then told her to ask for 3 boons in return. But in all her three boons she outwitted the god of death. She asked him to bless her with brave child. Yam, or the god of death sanctioned her the boon to have children, then she told to Yam to keep his promised boon. How come she can bear child without her husband, who is being taken away by death? realizing her wit, he surrendered to her and returned life of her husband. Since then Savitri is revered for her loyalty towards her husband, thus she became to the stature of a goddess. (Gender issue??)
Then there is this plant called Tulsi, तुलसी the Holy Basil. It is considered as the most sacred of all plants. It is considered so pure that if leaves are kept in any food items that item becomes pure. During the time of Eclipse Sun or moon, leaves of Tulsi are kept on the food items. 

But Besides medicinal properties why it is considered a symbol of purity, loyalty? 

There was a pious lady named as Vrinda वृंदा many centuries ago. She was educated learned lady and worshiper of lord Vishnu. 


She was married to a demon king Jallandhar जालंधर. He fought wars with Gods devatas. His strength was said to be due to the piousness of his wife Vrinda. during the course of war it was dawned on gods that they cannot fight and win over with this demon king. Thus Vishnu was asked to do help them out. Vishnu in disguise entered the living quarters of queen Vrinda. She some how could not see through the strategy. Her piousness was disturbed/torn by Vishnu who was with her disguised as her husband. She noticed that the garland given by her to her husband and asked him to keep always around his neck was not on this man who is in front of her. She became cautious but it was too late. By the time she was outraged, during that moment the demon, her husband was killed in war. She came to know about this heinous plan of devtas or Vishnu. 

She cursed Vishnu to become a stone- Shaligram शालिग्राम। Later he was married to Vrinda who is in form of Tulsi. Thus since then this Tulsi marriage with Vishnu is celebrated on Ekadasi, एकादशी the eleventh date of lunar cycle during Kartik कार्तिक month. But why she only was given punishment? Why she had to give sacrifice? This is a gender issue. But since then she had been given a high status recognized by society. Sos much so that now every house must have a pot with Tulsi. Mostly in central part or in courtyard of house anywhere. All the women of house have to worship her-the Tulsi who is now considered a Mother goddess.

It so happens that most of the plants we have been told to worship have many medicinal properties. But since due to influence of western ideas we tend ot forget all our rich heritage.



Peepal, Burgad, Tulsi, Durva grass, Turmeric and all other such herbs have special place in our method/ritual of worship. all have some or the other benefits.

worship  of Mountain
https://swayamkatha.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/govardhan-pooja-or-govansh-vardhan-pooja/

Trees, earth, foodgrains, animals, birds, fruits, sky, water, air, rain, river, Mountain, SEA, ponds, vegetation, Sun, Moon, Planets, Universe all are worshiped in our religious ceremonies. 
Without this no religious ceremony is considered complete. All these have significant importance in Human life. Considering this importance our ancestors kept worship of nature essential in every ceremony. It is another story as to how and why most of us have forgotten teachings of our ancestors and blindly following the Western ideology?? Is it strategy of few vested interests and those who never wanted our people to flourish and live in total harmony with Mother Nature?

Savitri-Vat pooja, also known as Burgad(Banyan tree) pooja, Tulsi-Vivah(Marriage), Peepal, Neem, Banana plant, coconut, beetal leaves, arecanut, mango leaves,

worship of Nature-essence of Indian tradition

Why is it that whenever any festival or religious ceremony or any special day is celebrated in India, the Nature worship Prakriti pooja, always has prominence? More over these religious dates are being celebrated in India since centuries; many are Pre-Vedic or Vedic era? We all know how old our Veda are? 
,lk D;ksa gS fd Hkkjr esa tc Hkh dksb frfFk iwtk ;k vU; dksb /kkfeZd vk;kstu gksrk gS mlesa izd`fr iwtk izeq[k ,oa vfuok;Z gksrh gS\ ,sls lHkh ioZ “kfn;ksa ls Hkkjr esa euk, tk  jgs gSaA irk ugha dc ls\ dqN iwoZ oSfnd vkSj dqN oSfnd dky ls euk, tkrs gSA     

o`{kiwtk Hkwfeiwtk i`Foh vUu i“kq if{k Qy vkdk“k ty ok;q o’kkZ ufn leqnz ioZr rkykc iks[kj ouLifr lw;Z pUnzek xzg vkfn lc iwts tkrs gSaA D;ksafd budk ekuo thou esa egRo gSA bl egRo dks /;ku es j[krs gq;s gh gekjs iwoZtksa us izd`fr dh iwtk dk fo/kku j[kk Fkk\ 
Tree, Earth, Mother Nature, Animals, Birds, fruits, even Sky, water, Air, River, Sea, Mountain, Pond, Lake, Vegetation all are worhisped. Sun, Moon, Planets are also worshiped. Does it not sounds strange? Yes but it has been there for centuries, it has been done since centuries.  All are revered. 


In Savitri Vat सावित्री वट पूजा pooja main deity is this Banyan Tree वट वृक्ष . This tree as it seems live forever. It never seems to Die. Thus due to this magical power it is regarded as a immortal deity who can give boon 'to live long life". Therefore on this day which often falls in months of May or June every year Married women pray for long life of their husbands & Sons. Themselves they observe Fast, they do not drink even water without performing pooja (worship) of the Banyan Tree . In disguise I understand that they seek blessings from this tree to bless them so that they can die being a married women? they must die being a Suhagan lnklqgkxu? it is may be, due to gender discrimination or inequality? i had written a blog in this Burgad Pooja (click to read).

The shoot head buds are swallowed by women so that they can have a SON? who in turn will carry forward the family and provide support to their mothers?  Later in time a story of Savitri is added to this day. She was a brave lady. Once satyavan, her husband was dying. The god of death came to take him away to Yam lok. Savitri moved behind the god of death, wherever he took her husband she kept following them. in many attempts God of death tried to dissuade her from following, but he failed in all his attempts. He then told her to ask for 3 boons in return. But in all her three boons she outwitted the god of death. She asked him to bless her with brave child. Yam, or the god of death sanctioned her the boon to have children, then she told to Yam to keep his promised boon. How come she can bear child without her husband, who is being taken away by death? realizing her wit, he surrendered to her and returned life of her husband. Since then Savitri is revered for her loyalty towards her husband, thus she became to the stature of a goddess. (Gender issue??)
Then there is this plant called Tulsi, तुलसी the Holy Basil. It is considered as the most sacred of all plants. It is considered so pure that if leaves are kept in any food items that item becomes pure. During the time of Eclipse Sun or moon, leaves of Tulsi are kept on the food items. 

But Besides medicinal properties why it is considered a symbol of purity, loyalty? 

There was a pious lady named as Vrinda वृंदा many centuries ago. She was educated learned lady and worshiper of lord Vishnu. 


She was married to a demon king Jallandhar जालंधर. He fought wars with Gods devatas. His strength was said to be due to the piousness of his wife Vrinda. during the course of war it was dawned on gods that they cannot fight and win over with this demon king. Thus Vishnu was asked to do help them out. Vishnu in disguise entered the living quarters of queen Vrinda. She some how could not see through the strategy. Her piousness was disturbed/torn by Vishnu who was with her disguised as her husband. She noticed that the garland given by her to her husband and asked him to keep always around his neck was not on this man who is in front of her. She became cautious but it was too late. By the time she was outraged, during that moment the demon, her husband was killed in war. She came to know about this heinous plan of devtas or Vishnu. 

She cursed Vishnu to become a stone- Shaligram शालिग्राम। Later he was married to Vrinda who is in form of Tulsi. Thus since then this Tulsi marriage with Vishnu is celebrated on Ekadasi, एकादशी the eleventh date of lunar cycle during Kartik कार्तिक month. 


But why she only was given punishment? Why she had to give sacrifice? This is a gender issue. But since then she had been given a high status recognized by society. So much so that now every house must have a pot with Tulsi. Mostly in central part or in courtyard of house anywhere. All women of house worship her-the Tulsi, who is now considered a Mother goddess.
It so happens that most of the plants we have been told to worship have many medicinal properties. But since due to influence of western ideas we tend to forget all our rich heritage.





Peepal, Burgad, Tulsi, Durva grass, Turmeric and all other such herbs have special place in our method/ritual of worship. all have some or the other benefits.

We have even a day where a mountain is worshiped or remembered. Govardhan was a mountain. It is worshiped on the second day of Diwali.

Diwali is impure form of word Deepawali. Deepak or Deep means the earthen pot lit with the light. I don't know what is the correct word of Deepak in English? what they (British) used for lightning their houses before electricity was invented? was it lantern? 

As we have numerous societies communities cultures in India, we tend to share many legends, often borrowed within our society. Govardhan is remembered with Krishna. In ancient times people worshiped, Indra as the god of rains, rivers, flood, storms. however Indra was the lord of gods (devta).

It was he who is considered to bring rains. We know, How much importance Rains have in life of Farming community? Rains are essential to Agriculture. Ganga Jamuna plains are the most fertile lands. As per the legend Krishna in his childhood told villagers not to worship Indra. He adviced them to worship Mountain Govardhan instead of Indra. It is the mountain that brings rains and not the Indra. How true he was? people often laugh at our Indian civilization, but see how then Krishna himself teaching people not to follow blindly everything. He initiates reasoning, Logical thinking & debate on the practices taking place blindly in society. Thus villagers agreed with Krishna and performed worship ritual of mountain. Angered and hurt Lord Indra broke all bounds and ordered his fellow powers- Wind, Water to storm the village, so as to teach them lesson. meanwhile Krishna is said to lift whole mountain on his little finger and saved life of villagers alongside their livestock. Later Indra accepted his mistake and asked forgiveness from Krishna, since then for agriculture community Govardhan mountain is the most respected thing for them. Moral of story is that Nature must be respected. Read my blog worship  of Mountain    https://swayamkatha.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/govardhan-pooja-or-govansh-vardhan-pooja/

Mountain represents Nature and Cow represents the earth, community economy based on the Cow and Animal husbandry.

Trees, earth, foodgrains, animals, birds, fruits, sky, water, air, rain, river, Mountain, SEA, ponds, vegetation, Sun, Moon, Planets, Universe all are worshiped in our religious ceremonies. 
Without this no religious ceremony is considered complete. All these have significant importance in Human life. 
Considering this importance our ancestors kept worship of nature essential in every ceremony. 
It is another story as to how and why most of us have forgotten teachings of our ancestors and blindly following the Western ideology?? Is it strategy of few vested interests and those who never wanted our people to flourish and live in total harmony with Mother Nature?

Devi Kaatyayani

ÅWa dkR;k;uh nsO;S ue%

Today is the fifth day of Navraatri, the nine days of Devi. This day is dedicated to the Devi Kaatyayani. She was born in the house of Sage Kaatyayan. That’s why the name was accorded to her. My Kul Gotra dqy xks= is Katyayan dkR;k;u and Devi Katyani is the Kul Devi dqy nsoh.

The devi is said to be vf/k’Bk=h aadhisdhatri devi of brijmandal. The devi is associated with the two planets-Jupitor and Venus. The Gopis or Gopikas wishing to have Krishna, first have to please and seek blessings of Devi Katyayani. Those who wish to marry have to seek blessings of Devi Katyayani. Since she is associated with Brihaspati(Jupitor), the planet of knowledge\wisdom, thus those who wish to have bright career or those who seek knowledge always seek blessings of Devi Katyayani.

Yellow is the colour associated with Devi Katyayani. Thus yellow cloths to be adorned and to be gifted, yellow flowers are to be offered to her. The best Prasad is of Honey-that is said to have magical powers.  

The nine devi names are -

“kSyiq+=h Shailputri, czg~epkfj.kh Brahmcharini, pUnz?k.Vk ChandraGhanta, dw’ek.Mk Kushmanda, Ldnaekrk Skandmata, dkR;k;uh Katyayani, dkyjk=h KaalRaatri, egkxkSjh MahaGauri, fln~/khnk=h Siddhidatri.

Few names we can understand. Shailputri means the daughter of “shail” here this word is used for either for stone or the mountain (since it is considered made up of stones) and it is used for “Himalaya” the mountain.  These names I found in the devi kavach in the book called ShriDurga Saptshati. Sapt means 7 and shati 100 i.e. it has 700 shlokas- rhymes.

Such knowledge about our own Indian scriptures now days, is not passed on to younger generation. Therefore many things which were known to earlier generation by default, is being lost day by day. The ritualistic things are fading away. I mean rituals in the households which were carried out earlier are not being performed anymore. Therefore new generation do not know anything about these things. There were many. When ladies of household woke up in morning they did perform few rituals. Later when head of household wakes up and starts his rituals, that include pooja, singing of bhajan, aarti, shlokas etc. If all rituals are performed by the householders then the youngsters get to see and if they are told the actual meaning of such rituals then they will try to understand its value in our society. Many things which are still relevant today were found written in Indian scriptures many centuries back.

These scriptures were written in Sanskrit. That is the saddest part, as new generation do not want to read Sanskrit. I think in past few years some kind of deliberated attempts were made to make our Indian think bad about our rich old literature- that was all written in Sanskrit. In school also we see that not many students want to study Sanskrit seriously. It is most unfortunate for our nation that we citizens do not think or respect our old literature. But I am optimistic, as few universities in Europe (Germany Belgium) or US have taken the studies in Sanskrit all through 70-90 years. Now few people are taking Sanskrit seriously. Still there is need to rekindle the interest in Sanskrit.

what has happened to our Indian Sahitya?

Did you know that Bankim Chandra Chaterji wrote “Rajmohan’s wife” in English published in 1864?

With advent of English and English writers on the scene of Indian literary world with the awards such as Booker’s, there has been considerable increase in the number of Best Sellers, that too in English and in India and by Indian Writers. That is the point where trigger of Indian Literature scene has been catapulted. Today there was one hastag #1yearofSOI on twitter trailing or trending. I thought what has happened to our own Indian rich heritage of Sahitya?

 

Many years back I was waiting with lot of enthusiasm for a telecast on Doordarshan. it was an award presentation ceremony of Smt Mahadevi Verma ji. Iron Lady Mrs Margret Thatcher and Smt Indira Gandhi were there to give away the award. It was most contrasting and most amazing moment in my life. An British PM was there to felicitate a Hindi Writer and that too an Indian.  It was in 1982? After that I have searched the photograph of that event I was not able to see it on internet?

 

There are MoortiDevi and Jnanpith awards in all Indian languages(languages which are scheduled in the Constitution of India), I think English was also included in it.
Later Nayantara Sahgel and Smt Anita Desai got awards for their works in English in India too?
Whenever there was this ceremony telcasted on Doordarshan i used to look at the big pictures/photos put up at the backdrop of stage. Photo was of Smt Rama Jain and Shri Shanti Prasad Jain. Together they had established Jnanpith Parishad (i think) back in 1944. Initially they were interetsed in reserach works in our ancient texts written in Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit and also apabhransh. Since Jainis they also started study of Ancient Jain text of centuries old preserved in several jain temples. Later in year 1962 or some they put forth the idea of starting an award to writters in any Indian Language. Thus with great efforts the Bhartiya Jnanpith award was instituted. The first award was given in Novemebr 1965 to Shi Kurup a famous Malyalam writter and poet. Since then this award has been continuously given to several of our great writters in many Indian Languages. First award for Hindi was given to Shri Sumitranandan Pant in 1968. Smt Ashapoorna Devi became the first lady (female) to get Jnanpith award in 1976. If i am correct there has been serial on TV based on her novel?
 

With the wining of awards by Arundhati Roy scene changed. Salman Rushdie, Vikram Seth, Jhumpa Lahiri, Kiran Desai also made news. Even as English writers I knew Nayantara Sahgel, Smt Anita Desai. But before that RK Narayan and MulkRaj Anand (purple or untouchable??) and also Ruskin Bond I knew.

Later Chetan Bhagat, Amish Tripathhi, Patnaik, Ira, few other are now Best Sellers?

But I was amazed that the works on SHIVA (and trilogy ?), RAM, Mahabharata, SATI, etc are the topics of best sellers, that too written in English.

Has our rich heritage of literature SAHITYA got set back? Kalidas, Jaidev, PremChand, Dwedi ji, Dinkar, Nirala, Mallikarjun, Renu, Nagar. I admired Krishna Sobti, Shivani ji, qurtulin Hyder, Ismat chugtai (though I read les of her works) Many more… do they have to be written in English to be known? Something has happened to our own languages and Sahitya?

It has to be thought while preparing the EDUCATION POLICY?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_writers

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_English_literature

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_English_literature

Tribal Art- Jarawa Children's Art, ANTRI

This picture is from a calendar brought out by ANTRI, Tribal Research Institute, Andaman and Nicobar Administration as a part of project called “Ang Katha”. Many thoughts come into my mind. Few I can express few I cannot.

“Ang” means Jarawas as this calendar proclaims. “Katha” means story. 

 This picture is one of six drawings done by boys and girls of Jarawa tribe aged 7 to 16.  It depicts usual hunting scene. A boar & fish hunted by a Jarawa man. The bow and arrow and head band is very prominently drawn. They wear this head band and decorate it with few drawings on it. Usually they wear nothing but few things on waist and head band.

Jarawa or Ang is one of the 5 PTG- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group found in Andaman Nicobar Islands. Others are Great Andmanese, Onges, Sentinelese, and Shompens.  

Why they are called Great Andamanese why not only Andamanese??

These tribal groups are known to inhabit these islands since centuries. When the British thought to establish a penal settlement on these Islands these tribal groups resisted, Jarawas also. These Jarawas were hostile to anyone from outside, Even to other tribal groups also. They retained their hunting life in Forests. After Independence Government enforced & promulgated PAT- Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation(1956) that strictly prohibits entry of non-tribals into the forests declared as Jarwa Reserve areas. Now the Jarawas are not so hostile but remain vulnerable.

Over the years they have also undergone changes, due to efforts and support of the Administration.

In 1997 on my first trip to North Andaman that has the route passing through the forest area where Jarawa tribes used to wander. Few security personnel used to sit in Bus and all vehicles moved into a convoy.

At the Middle Strait jetty a group of Jarawa boys used to gather. People there tried to talk to them with the help of a boy interpreter. These boys were engaged by AAJVS Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samity.

Later while talking to him, I came to know that he was a son of Policeman. While posted in forest areas sometime children of policemen interacted with children of Jarawas and started communicating and thus he learnt their language.

Once, a team of professors from NIEPA Delhi visited Baratang. Few Jarawa boys were there and they very aggressive in their behaviour. They asked for the bananas which were kept in a basket inside the jeep. The lady, who came from Delhi sitting inside the jeep started crying with horror. But not now, due to the change in their attitude towards outside society Jarawas are coming forward to avail Medical facilities when they face any emergency.   As these cards indicate Jarawas children have started learning fast in their classroom.

Looking at these pictures I thought how creative these Jarawa children are? For centuries they never had any medium of expression- to draw? (as we know either paper or stone inscriptions or other). Thus when they were provided with pen, colours and paper, whole lot of art with imagination came to life. As, is evident from these pictures. You will agree on the high quality of observation power these children have. They live in Nature thus they interact with nature 24X7 and ignoring any little thing means death in wild. They have to be alert all the time. And moreover the ability to translate their imagination on a new medium which their ancestor never knew is also one aspect, I should admire and appreciate.

As far as this project is concerned it has offered ample opportunity to fly into the realms of creativity & imagination to the boys and girls of Jawara tribe.  With the pen and colours their imagination had no bounds.

Drawings were with many intricate patterns, which could have never come without sharp observation. Even normal children cannot draw such a good drawing of sea turtle.  Sea turtle, its back, the legs-used for swimming which are like fins are drawn so carefully. The patterns on the back are so well drawn.  The boar like figure also had several patterns on its body. How come these children have drawn it in colours?

   

Most amazing is this turtle with all seven colours!  I mean it must be a work of small kid. That child has drawn the patterns. Fins were also drawn with lot of imagination. The use of colours may offer something for anthropologists to study further?

  
This picture above is of much mature or perfect observation unlike previous turtle that was like from some fairy tale.  Here we see the high scale of imagination and Fine details. All are drawn perfectly.  The scales on fish and its body are perfectly shaped. That indicates the level of alertness.

The turtle is drawn from both sides I think. The back with pattern is perfect. But the underneath side of turtle is also drawn with same perfection. Or is it that both are drawn for their back sides?

Here some kind of a map of an area or whole chart of activities is drawn. Or few things in enclosed structure?

The wild boar, Fish, Crocodile all are drawn with details. Or is it the way they keep their “prey” after capture? Or some boy was drawing a map of an area where child has seen these animals? The triangle and double lines and that line with pattern do indicate something? May be it is a road? Or a canal of water?Most imaginative is the deer. On the left top corner is it a FISH? Or some kind of instrument used for hunting? A boomerang? Anthropologists will be having difficult time to decipher it?  On right is much more mature picture. The fish and sting ray?

This type of project will also document the flora and fauna with which Jarawa people interact in their habitat.

And we know ART is an unending and continuing process. I found these picture very good thus shared.

Thanx to ANTRI.

festival of Tribal dance

travel to Kochi