This section on Ithyadi Vichara has miscellaneous topics and aspects of Bharathiyata that are very interesting yet can’t be put under any other chapters. This section at present contains 11 topics. Gotras and the traditions of Rishis, Stories, Proverbs, Idioms and Phrases, Bharathiya Games and Sports, Vyayamashalas the Gymnasiums of Bharat, The Martial Arts Forms of Bharat, Pickles and Preserves of Bharat, Un-credited discoveries and inventions of Bharat, Kamakshi – Importance of Aesthetics, 108, Hasthasamudrika Shastra Palmistry and The Non-translateable words of Bharat.
Gotras and the traditions of Rishis
In simple term Gothra denotes something very close to clan and it broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male lineage from a common male ancestor or Rishi. Panini defines Gothra for grammatical purposes as Apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram which means “the word gotra denotes the progeny of a sage, beginning with the son’s son”.
Today’s people think that only Brahmins have Gotras. Was it so about 200 years ago (1820AD)? Why was the Gotra system put in places? How many Gotra Rishis are there? Who were they? What was their contribution to the society?
In the Vedic tradition “Rishi” means very close to Seer, Sage or Saint. The word also has the following meaning “Rshati Gjanena Samsara-param” which means “one who reaches beyond this mundane world by means of spiritual knowledge is called Rishi”. The tradition was passed on by a secret Parampara from Guru to Shishya or Master to Disciple. There were 131 Rishis who started the Parampara of Gjnayana these Rishis are called the Gotra Rishis. Gotra names are given after these 131 Rishis.
In Bharathiya Samaja, the term Gothra denotes something very close to clan. It broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male lineage from a common male ancestor or Rishi. Gothra can be used as surname but it is different from surname and is strictly maintained because of its importance in marriages among high people in Bharath. Panini defines Gothra for grammatical purposes as Apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram which means “the word gotra denotes the progeny of a sage, beginning with the son’s son”. The word Gotra is formed from the two Sanskrit words Gau (meaning Cow) and Trahi (meaning Shed). Hence Gotra also means for ‘Cow-Shed’. Note that the English word Cow is also rooted in the Sanskrit word Gau with the same meaning cow.
I will be introducing the Saptha Rishis and their life, achievements along with mentioning all the 131 Gotra Rishis, their Varna and in some cases their Jaathi also.
Katha, Nirvachana, Lokokthi, Vakprachara – Stories, Proverbs, Idioms and Phrases
The speciality of Bharathiya ‘Kathegalu mathe Gadhe mathugalu’ stories, proverbs, idioms and phrases are that they convey the essence of Dharma and by constant usage of the idioms and retelling of the stories a person is reminded of his/her Dharma and this keeps the whole Samaja on the path.
The folklore and many of the stories that are told and heard have a certain import in life. What are our stories, Proverbs, Idioms and Phrases for? What is the basis of their formation? There are many Proverbs and Phrases used almost common across the country which are they? Why are they common? Stories, proverbs idioms and phrases are part of any culture world over.
The speciality of Bharathiya ‘Kathegalu mathe Gadhe mathugalu’ stories, proverbs, idioms and phrases are that they convey the essence of Dharma and by constant usage of these a person is reminded of his/her Dharma. For example “Naiye bala donku” is a Kannada idiom which means ‘The dog’s tail is always curved’ which gives a meaning that somethings can’t be changed they are always as they are.
This idiom is used for reminding oneself that we have to accept certain situations and people as they are or it is time we change somethings by oureself. This idiom may be the same in most of the Bharathiya Bhasha. This work shop on Stories, Proverbs, Idioms and Phrases takes about 3 hours with a lot of take home for practice.
Bharathiya Games and Sports
Bharathiya games and Sports were holistic as everything else. The games and sports were supposed to be played only during a particular age not anytime. According to the age, motor skills and intelligence games are introduced into a person’s life.
Bharathiya games and Sports were holistic as everything else. The games and sports were supposed to be played only during a particular age not anytime. According to the age, motor skills and intelligence games are introduced into a person’s life. Polo, Hockey, Kabbadi and Kho Kho are some of the very intense and physically challenging games that Bharath has gifted to the world. Many of them as played and practiced now are not in their original forms.
Pagade, Choukabara, AlaGulli Mane, Bhoguri, Goli, Gilli Dandlu, Kunntte Pille, Lagori, Icepice (God knows how it got that name), Kunttu-Mutso Aata and Kho Kho were some of the games that I have also played (there were many more). These are Kannada names in the program I usually give the names in many other languages also. There were many forms of sports practiced in Bharath in the ancient times. Even to date many village sports and games events are happening in this country which are amazingly challenging. These events usually are attached to some general festival or in many case the temple festival or Jatra.
Jallikattu, Kambala, Gali Pata, Gundu Yethodu, Huli Ata, Atya Patya, Surr, Mulkhumbh and Dahi Handi are some of them. In my travel I have come across many of these I shall make a sincere attempt to bring out the essence of these. I will be dealing with these games and sports to understand these in the workshop of 3 hours.
Vyayamshalas Gymnasiums of Bharat
Bharath had ‘Vyayamshalas’ ‘Akhada’ or ‘Garadi Mane’ which were much more than just wrestling rings as most people think. The equipment used for ‘Body Building’, strength and stamina development, physical combat and developing mental faculties and mental strength were very unique. The head of the Vyayamshala was called ‘Aashan’, ‘Usthaad’ and he would know many ‘Adavu’ or ‘Daupech’ which he would impart to his students.
Fitness and maintaining a proper physique was part of the regular lifestyle in Bharat. Gymnasiums known as Vyyamshalas, Akhadas, Garadi etc. were the ancient Gyms. How were these different from modern gyms? If they were better how were they better? What were the equipment used? This 3hrs workshop gives an inside picture into this. This has evolved from my personal visits to many of the Akhadas and Garadi which are still now functioning.
Bharath had ‘Akhada’ which were much more than just wrestling rings as most people think. In Karnataka these were called ‘Garadi’. These were much beyond just Gymnasiums. I shall discuss some of the equipment used for ‘Body Building’, strength and stamina development, physical combat. These places also were used for training people in wrestling (Malla Yudha), martial arts in some places like Kalaripayitu in Kerala, Kara Tanda in Karnataka, Tamilnadu & Andhra, sword fight (Kathivarase), cane fight (Dandavrase), belt fight, archery (Billu-Baanna) and other warring skills. Bharath is very fortunate that we still have many of these functional. In this 3hrs program I bring the essence of what was taught at the Akhadas.
The Martial Art Forms of Bharat
Bharat which was rich in every department had 14 Martial Art forms from various regions. But the most known is Kalari Payattu from Kerala. Each of these were very unique and they had their own style like some were aggressive and depended mostly on attack many used to convert the enemy’s attack to their benefit and some of them were basically dependent on Defence.
The moment I talk about Martial Arts of Bharat people take the name “Kalari Payittu”. But very few people know that Kalari Payittu is a regional martial art form which is specifically associated with Kerala. Karnataka and certain parts of Andhra had another martial art form called “Kara Tanda”. Tamil Nadu had two Martial Art forms called “Silambam” and “Varma Kalai”. Similarly Maharashtra and Gujarat had their own Martial Art form called ‘Mardani Khel”. “Ghatka” was the Martial Art form typical practiced in Punjab. Varanasi (Banares) one of the oldest cities of the world had a very unique Martial Art form called “Mustthi Yuddha” where the practitioners didn’t use any weapons but fought only using their hands and legs.
West Bengal had a very unique Martial Art form which used only a cane, this Martial Art was called “Latthi Khela”. Bihar had a Martial Art form which was created by the Rajputs who settled there and it was called “Pari Khanda”. Andhra Pradesh and Telengana had a Martial Art form known as “Kathi Saamu” which used sword and shield. Manipur which was a princely state for a long time had a separate Martial Art for called “Thang Ta” this form has both armed and unarmed combat. The Martial Art form from Himachal Pradesh which combines dance moves is known as “Thoda” it mainly uses the Bow and Arrow but there is usage of other weapons too. “Paika” is a little known Martial Art form from present day Odissa which was called Kalinga.
“Aki Kiti” is the Martial Art for practiced in Nagaland. Apart from these Martial Arts the skill of usage of various weapons called “Latthi Vidhya” (Usage of cane), “Khadgha Vidhya” (Usage of Sword and Shield), “Dhanur Vidhya” (Usage of Bow and Arrow) “Gadhayuddha” (Usage of Mace) “Mustthiyuddha” (Usage of only fists) and “Mallayuddha” (Combat-wrestling) existed in the sub-continent of Bharat. This makes to my understanding 14 Martial Art forms and 6 different weapon skills.
Pickles and Preserves of Bharat
Pickling has been an important way of preserving food in the world. Bharat as usual has neumerous ways of piclking. Spicy, Savory, Sweet, Sour and many more methods of picking were prevalent in Bharat. Agents of pickling were Lavana salt, Sharkara candy sugar, Sirka Vinegar, Teal Oil etc. and the pickle was spiced up with black pepper or red chilly.
Pickling has been an important way of preserving food in the world. Bharat as usual has neumerous ways of piclking. What were the different ways of picking? Spicey, Savory, Sweet, Sour and many more methods of picking are discussed in this workshop. Agents of pickling like Lavana, Sharkara, Sirka etc. and types of pickles and preserves are discussed. Pickling is the process of preserving or extending the shelf life of food by either anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar. In Bharat many places vegetable oil and sugarcane vinegar was also used as a pickling medium.
The pickling procedure typically affects the food’s texture, taste and flavor. Pickling can preserve perishable foods for months. Antimicrobial herbs and spices, such as Raie mustard seed, Methi fenugreek seeds, Lahsun garlic, Dalchini cinnamon, Lavang cloves, are often added in a combination. Bharat has a large variety of pickles known as Achar in Nepali, Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujurati, Urdu, Uppinakaayi in Kannada, Lonacha in Marathi, Uppilittathu or Achar in Malayalam, Oorukai in Tamil, Ooragaya in Telugu, which are mainly made from varieties of mango, lemon, lime, goongura (a sour leafy shrub), tamarind and Indian gooseberry (amla), chilli.
Vegetables such as eggplant, carrots, cauliflower, tomato, bitter gourd, green tamarind, ginger, garlic, onion, and citron are also occasionally used. These fruits and vegetables are generally mixed with ingredients like salt, spices, and vegetable oils and are set to mature in a moistureless medium. I will be sharing my experience of pickling, my mother’s pickling recipes and also some of the recipes that I have picked up from my travel. 3hours.
Un-credited discoveries and inventions of Bharat
Inventions, scientific discoveries and contributions of Bharat, including the ancient, classical and post-classical nations in the subcontinent historically referred to as Bharat and the modern Indian state. There is a whole cultural and technological history of Bharat, during which it contributed to the fields of architecture, astronomy, cartography, metallurgy, logic, mathematics, metrology and mineralogy.
Inventions, scientific discoveries and contributions of Bharat, including the ancient, classical and post-classical nations in the subcontinent historically referred to as Bharat and the modern Indian state are very significant and unique. There is a whole cultural and technological history of Bharat, during which it contributed to the fields of Shilpa (Architecture), Jyothishya (Astronomy), Manichitrakala (Cartography), Loha Vidhya (Metallurgy), Tarka (Logic), Ganitha (Mathematics), Maapa Vidhya or Rithu Purvanuman (Metrology) and Khanija Rasayana (Mineralogy).
Starting from a pin, sewing needle to Airplane there are a lot of discoveries and inventions made by Bharathiya Karigars and many other people. There are people who gave the world many mathematical formulae many centuries before what is claimed as European formulations. There are many processes like extraction of metal from ores, making of alloys, metal casting etc. too. In this chapter I give an understanding of these.
Kamakshi – Importance of Aesthetics
Kamakshi means ‘one with eyes for aesthetics’; this is from ‘Kama’ which in simple terms can be understood as living a life for attaining aesthetic excellence in confluence with nature, fulfilment of one’s desires in accordance to Dharma and also to procreate with a purpose of continuing Dharma ‘Akshi’ means ‘eyes’. So Kamakshi the one with an eye for aesthetics is the Goddesses of Aethetics.
‘kama’ can be understood in simple terms as living a life for attaining aesthetic excellence in confluence with nature, fulfilment of one’s desires in accordance to Dharma and also to procreate with a purpose of continuing Dharma. Akshi means ‘eyes’ and Kamakshi means ‘one with eyes for aesthetics’.
Kama being one of the four folds purposes of life and also being an Upalaksha; it was very essential for every individual to have a Kamakshi an aesthetic vision. The Bharathiya aesthetic vision was inclusive of nature prakruthik. Mostly each person/s blended their creations with nature, as the final purpose of life was to become one with nature. How aesthetics was brought about in every individual through regular practices of many rituals and practices will the basis of our discussion.
The Goddess Kamakshi is in a sitting Padmasana posture. The Padmasana posture is said to resemble a lotus. In the Yogic practice this is supposed to be the best posture for meditation. Kamakshi is considered as Chathurbhuji ‘Having four arms’. The Goddess holds an Ikshu-Danda Sugarcane bow on her left lower arm and Padma Lotus, Shukha Parrot in her right lower arm. The Goddess also has divine chakras called Pasha and Ankusha in her upper arms. The Goddess also has an Ardhachandra (half-moon like structure) in her forehead.
108
In Bharat 108 is a very significant number, this number is considered auspicious, numerologically perfect and astrology talks of this number as a perfect number. To start with there are 9 planets and 12 zodiac signs and 9 multiplied by 12 is 108, there are 27 Nakshatras and each one has 4 padas adding up to 108.
In Bharat 108 is a very significant number, this number is considered auspicious, numerology and astrology talks of this number as a perfect number. To start with there are 9 planets and 12 zodiac signs and 9 multiplied by 12 is 108, there are 27 Nakshatras and each one has 4 padas adding up to 108. There are 108 beads in the Rosary for most of the Religions. Some sctiptures say there are 108 feelings, which are 36 related to the past, 36 related to the present, and 36 related to the future. There is much to this number than this. There are 108 Upanishads associated with the 4 Vedas. There are 108 tatvas which govern life; I shall list them and their importance in this chapter. Then I shall get into the intricacies of the 108 number later in the detailed writings. This 3hrs workshop deals with all the importance of this number.
Samudrika Shastra Palmistry and much more
The Bharathiya tradition holds that the Anga Vidhya (Bodily Science) was developed by the Lord Samudra (Ocean God) hence this Shastra camed to be called as Samudrika Shastra. This knowledge was compiled by the great Rishis through their experience by three means Darshana (Seeing), Sparshana (Touching) and Vimarshana (Analysis).
Samudika Shastra is the text referred to as the classical text on Palmistry. The Bharathiya tradition holds that the Anga Vidhya (Bodily Science) was developed by the Lord Samudra (Ocean God) hence this Shastra camed to be called as Samudrika Shastra. This knowledge was compiled by the great Rishis through their experience by three means Darshana (Seeing), Sparshana (Touching) and Vimarshana (Analysis)
In Bharath there is a saying ‘Mutthi mein manushya apana bhavishya leyke aatha hai’ meaning ‘Man takes birth with his future written on his palm’. Though this may sound as non-scientific let us understand ‘Samudrika Shastra’ which is Palmistry. I have heard somewhere that ‘Science is a set of rules to explain observed phenomenon’. If this is the actual definition of science then Palmistry is science.
This Shastra has chapters on “Face Reading”, Reading a person’s movement and many other aspects of human personality. Bharathiya tradition has eight means by which Bhavishya of Good or Bad can be got they were:
- Anga: Observing the Limbs and face
- Swapna: Analysing dreams
- Swara: Analysing Sound
- Bhoomi: Analysing Attitude
- Vyanjana: Analysing marks on the body
- Lakshana: Analysing Omens
- Utpaata: Anylysing natural phenomena like earthquake, floods etc.
- Aantareeksha: Studying and Reading frm the Sky
This workshop just introduces the first subject and restricting it to only “Hastha” palm. The participants will learn it as a subject used for finding out the past and if possible the future through the “Hastha Samudika Lakshana”. This is 3hrs workshop but as usual to get a detailed understanding a person has to spend at least one week.
The Non-translateable words of Bharat
There are some Bharathiyawords/terminologies that are non-translateables, most of the “English” translations are either too weak or many have been wrongly used and in a wrong context. When you change the context or wrongly translate the word loses its meaning changes the color and becomes even negative in tone sometimes.
There are some Bharathiya words/terminologies that are non-translateables, most of the “English” translations are either too weak or many have been wrongly used and in a wrong context. Here I have dealt with at least 300 of them. People may choose to differ from my view. But the point I am trying to make here is that when you change the context or wrongly translate the word loses its meaning changes the color and becomes even negative in tone sometimes.
It is time now to bring the change. Let us start proper usage of our words and if the translated word is very weak then use the original. At the least stop the wrong usage. There are some technicalities that are associated with these words like Vyakarna etc. I won’t be touching these purposely as the discussion can go very technical. This is for the common people to understand and start using.
