Art is an integral part of any civilization and ancient India flourished in this. The artifacts that have been discovered by archaeologists and historians reveal valuable facts about the lifestyle and mental patterns of that age. During ancient India various art forms developed at great pace. It is evident from the surviving art forms and literature that the ancient Indian art forms have great detailing and unique realistic style of their own.
According to the evidence found, it looks like people in ancient India were great admirers of different art forms. They loved fine arts and indulged in dancing, sculpting and painting. A very interesting aspect of ancient art in India is that it is highly realistic. Though bit crude, the anatomical detailing in their sculptures is worth applauding for. Animal and human figures have been carefully carved and chiseled to get a refined effect and portray the physical details in a very fine way.
The fine artistic sensibilities of the people are pretty much evident in their terracotta and bronze sculptures. From the artifacts another interesting aspect that has come to light is the fact that musical instruments were used at that point of time. Certain seals and sculptures have inscriptions marked like instrument that looks somewhat like the harp. The paintings and inscriptions basically reveal the mental patterns of the people.
As time progressed, the cruder forms were refined and a new kind of art form developed. This was the art form of rock cut caves and temple art. Rock cut art and architecture was a very important step taken towards the progress of ancient Indian art. The rock cut architecture was first initiated by the Buddhists and this inspired Hindus and the Jains who built similar structures at sites like Ajanta, Badami, Ellora, Elephanta, etc. The patterns varied according to different regions they were built in. The expression of mental attitudes in the form of ancient art is truly fascinating and helps us analyze the journey traveled from then to now.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Ancient India Government
With the beginning of civilization, there arose a need for smooth administration and division of responsibilities. Since the population started to increase, people grew concerned about welfare and able ruling. This led to the rise of an organizational structure that dealt with the nuances of firm ruling and governance. The ancient Indian government was very simple in structure. There used to be a tribe chief who used to appoint helpers to look over the smooth functioning of the society and dealt with grievances of people.
With the coming of different empires, the government of ancient India took a more complex and elaborate form. The establishment of large kingdoms in India gave birth to the concept of having a King or a Maharaja who was the head of administration and the state. Everything worked under his command and no one dared to oppose him. He usually used to appoint a council of ministers who used to govern different areas of the state. During the 6th century B.C., 16 Mahajanapadas or 16 great kingdoms were established in India.
In ancient Indian government, one finds the different elements of modern government also. This means that the foundation of the modern day government was laid during the ancient times itself. The ancient Indian government had three major components in the hierarchy. They were: Legislative, Executive and the Judiciary. The chief head of the three departments was the King. Effective judiciary made sure that crime was under control and the offenders got the apt punishments for their crimes.
The ancient Indian government had an effective way of keeping tabs on what people thought of the administration. This was kept in check by a very secretive system of spies. The king used to be updated about what is happening in his kingdom regularly by these spies who used to roam around in the kingdom in disguise. There was effective military and the soldiers were well trained in the art of warfare. There were regular updates of population, birth rate, death rate, etc. Despite a huge empire, administration was controlled and highly effective in ancient India.
With the coming of different empires, the government of ancient India took a more complex and elaborate form. The establishment of large kingdoms in India gave birth to the concept of having a King or a Maharaja who was the head of administration and the state. Everything worked under his command and no one dared to oppose him. He usually used to appoint a council of ministers who used to govern different areas of the state. During the 6th century B.C., 16 Mahajanapadas or 16 great kingdoms were established in India.
In ancient Indian government, one finds the different elements of modern government also. This means that the foundation of the modern day government was laid during the ancient times itself. The ancient Indian government had three major components in the hierarchy. They were: Legislative, Executive and the Judiciary. The chief head of the three departments was the King. Effective judiciary made sure that crime was under control and the offenders got the apt punishments for their crimes.
The ancient Indian government had an effective way of keeping tabs on what people thought of the administration. This was kept in check by a very secretive system of spies. The king used to be updated about what is happening in his kingdom regularly by these spies who used to roam around in the kingdom in disguise. There was effective military and the soldiers were well trained in the art of warfare. There were regular updates of population, birth rate, death rate, etc. Despite a huge empire, administration was controlled and highly effective in ancient India.
Ancient India Culture
The rich heritage of Indian culture can be traced back to ancient times. The practices, beliefs and customs that we follow today were established thousands of years back. In ancient India, culture was the determining factor of the Indian society. Though different beliefs were followed in different regions, the foundation base of ancient Indian culture remained the same. From every day dressing to elaborate rituals, every minute and major detail was decided centuries back. The root of Indian culture has existed since ancient times and that is what makes it so strong.
After the initial set up of the foundation by the Indus Valley Civilization, the coming of the Aryans further consolidated it. The Aryans had a particular social structure according to which administration was carried on. There was division of labor and each hierarchy had its own job to do. The merchants and the priestly class were considered very elite and were much respected and feared. There were certain symbols of worship like cows, bulls, the sacrificial fire, etc. The chanting of sacred hymns came into vogue with the Vedic age. Though agriculture was the main occupations, there was development of small scale industries and handicrafts.
In ancient India, fine arts formed an integral part of the culture. Music and dance evolved highly in ancient India and new forms of dances and music came into being. Music was usually accompanied by instruments to provide bass and rhythm. Dances required elaborate costumes, jewelry and make-up and were usually performed in temples or royal courts. Theater also originated in ancient India and was an integral part of the daily culture. People enacted scenes out of daily life like wild animals hunting for food. Some people became small animals like cows, goats, etc. who were "preyed" upon by people playing the role of carnivores like lions, tigers, etc. The culture of ancient India has been refined and modernized over the ages; what we see today is a sophisticated version of what existed thousands of years back.
After the initial set up of the foundation by the Indus Valley Civilization, the coming of the Aryans further consolidated it. The Aryans had a particular social structure according to which administration was carried on. There was division of labor and each hierarchy had its own job to do. The merchants and the priestly class were considered very elite and were much respected and feared. There were certain symbols of worship like cows, bulls, the sacrificial fire, etc. The chanting of sacred hymns came into vogue with the Vedic age. Though agriculture was the main occupations, there was development of small scale industries and handicrafts.
In ancient India, fine arts formed an integral part of the culture. Music and dance evolved highly in ancient India and new forms of dances and music came into being. Music was usually accompanied by instruments to provide bass and rhythm. Dances required elaborate costumes, jewelry and make-up and were usually performed in temples or royal courts. Theater also originated in ancient India and was an integral part of the daily culture. People enacted scenes out of daily life like wild animals hunting for food. Some people became small animals like cows, goats, etc. who were "preyed" upon by people playing the role of carnivores like lions, tigers, etc. The culture of ancient India has been refined and modernized over the ages; what we see today is a sophisticated version of what existed thousands of years back.
Ancient India Geography
The topography of India is very diverse constituting of various geographical features. This makes the geography of ancient India very unique due to the fact that people used to live in extremes. The geographical terrains were varied, ranging from rivers, to plains to mountainous terrains. Though extreme terrains, they provided the perfect cradle for civilization to develop in ancient India. The establishment of many small villages took place on the fertile river plains where agriculture was easier to practice.
The evidence of ancient Indian geography is found in the Holy Scriptures. The sacred chants and hymns in the Vedas praise the River Sindhu, which was a mighty river in the north of India. It is said that this river was the mightiest of all; though there are mention of rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Satluj, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, etc. These rivers were the base for ideal flood plains and became among the first sites for civilization to flourish.
Though the topography was extreme and was prone to unwarned climatic changes like floods, thunderstorms, etc. they helped greatly in the growth and expansion of civilization. The mountains provided the much needed protection from foreign invaders, the rivers made transportation and navigation possible, the plains made agriculture possible, and so on. The geography ancient India was definitely an integral part in helping the development and growth of human settlements and start of one of the earliest civilizations.
The evidence of ancient Indian geography is found in the Holy Scriptures. The sacred chants and hymns in the Vedas praise the River Sindhu, which was a mighty river in the north of India. It is said that this river was the mightiest of all; though there are mention of rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Satluj, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, etc. These rivers were the base for ideal flood plains and became among the first sites for civilization to flourish.
Though the topography was extreme and was prone to unwarned climatic changes like floods, thunderstorms, etc. they helped greatly in the growth and expansion of civilization. The mountains provided the much needed protection from foreign invaders, the rivers made transportation and navigation possible, the plains made agriculture possible, and so on. The geography ancient India was definitely an integral part in helping the development and growth of human settlements and start of one of the earliest civilizations.
Interesting facts about india
India never invaded any country in her last 10,000 years of history. Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa, the Saint of Calcutta as she was called, are considered the greatest apostles of peace of the twentieth century.
The concept of the number zero was created in India by the sage Aryabhatta. The place value system and the decimal system were also developed in India in about 100 B.C.
Aryabhatta satellite of India
The world's first University was established in Takshashila in about 700 B.C. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century C.E. was one of the great achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
Sanskrit is the mother lode of all the Indo-European languages. Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software, says a report in Forbes magazine, July 1987.
Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. Charaka, the father of medicine, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.
India was the richest country on earth until after the coming of the British in the17th century. Christopher Columbus was attracted by her wealth. British, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, and other "adventurers" were racing against each other to establish trading privileges in India. It was known as the true land of milk and honey.
Vasco da Gama, discoverer of the sea route to India in 1498
The art of navigation was developed on the river Sindh 6,000 years ago. The very word navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word "nav gatih". The word "navy" is also derived from Sanskrit "nou".
In the 5th century C.E. Bhaskaracharya calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun, hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. Time taken by earth to orbit the sun then was computed as 365.258756484 days.
The value of pi was calculated first by Budhayana, and he explained the wider ramifications of what is known as the Theorem of Pythagoras. He discovered this in the 6th century, long before the Arab and European mathematicians.
Algebra, Trigonometry, and the basic concept of Calculus came from India. Quadratic equations were propounded by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest number the Greeks and the Romans used was 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as large as 1053 with specific assigned names as early as 5000 B.C., even during the Vedic period.
Hindus created the largest measure of time, called "kalpa", which is the time between the birth and annihilation of the universe. This measure comes very close to the currently accepted life span, according to the pulsating theory of the universe, which is around 25 billion years.
According to the Geological Institute of America, up until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds to the world. Kohinoor, the jewel in the crown of the British monarch, is from India.
The "Shah" diamond from India, in the Russian Royal Collection
USA-based IEEE has established what has been a century-old suspicion in the world scientific community, that the pioneer of wireless communication was Dr. Jagdeesh Bose of Calcutta and not Marconi.
The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra, Western India. By direction of the Saka king Rudradaman I around 150 C.E., an artificial lake aptly named "Sudarshana" [beautiful] was constructed on the hills of Raivataka during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.
The strategy game of Chess [Shatranja or Ashtapada] was invented in India.
Origin of chess in India 16th century
Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and physicians of his period were conducting surgical procedures like caesarean, cataract, artificial limbs fitment, fracture treatment, urinary stones removal, and even plastic and brain surgery. Usage of anaesthesia was well known in ancient India. Over 125 surgical instruments were used. Deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, aetiology, embryology, digestion, metabolism, genetics, and immunology is found in many ancient texts.
The first postage stamps of Asia, the "Scinde Dawk", were issued in India in 1852 in the District of Sindh. The first bi-coloured stamps of the British Commonwealth were also issued in India in 1854. The world's first air post service was introduced in India in 1911.
The "Scinde Dawk" stamps of 1852
The concept of the number zero was created in India by the sage Aryabhatta. The place value system and the decimal system were also developed in India in about 100 B.C.
Aryabhatta satellite of India
The world's first University was established in Takshashila in about 700 B.C. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century C.E. was one of the great achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
Sanskrit is the mother lode of all the Indo-European languages. Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software, says a report in Forbes magazine, July 1987.
Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. Charaka, the father of medicine, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.
India was the richest country on earth until after the coming of the British in the17th century. Christopher Columbus was attracted by her wealth. British, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, and other "adventurers" were racing against each other to establish trading privileges in India. It was known as the true land of milk and honey.
Vasco da Gama, discoverer of the sea route to India in 1498
The art of navigation was developed on the river Sindh 6,000 years ago. The very word navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word "nav gatih". The word "navy" is also derived from Sanskrit "nou".
In the 5th century C.E. Bhaskaracharya calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun, hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. Time taken by earth to orbit the sun then was computed as 365.258756484 days.
The value of pi was calculated first by Budhayana, and he explained the wider ramifications of what is known as the Theorem of Pythagoras. He discovered this in the 6th century, long before the Arab and European mathematicians.
Algebra, Trigonometry, and the basic concept of Calculus came from India. Quadratic equations were propounded by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest number the Greeks and the Romans used was 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as large as 1053 with specific assigned names as early as 5000 B.C., even during the Vedic period.
Hindus created the largest measure of time, called "kalpa", which is the time between the birth and annihilation of the universe. This measure comes very close to the currently accepted life span, according to the pulsating theory of the universe, which is around 25 billion years.
According to the Geological Institute of America, up until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds to the world. Kohinoor, the jewel in the crown of the British monarch, is from India.
The "Shah" diamond from India, in the Russian Royal Collection
USA-based IEEE has established what has been a century-old suspicion in the world scientific community, that the pioneer of wireless communication was Dr. Jagdeesh Bose of Calcutta and not Marconi.
The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra, Western India. By direction of the Saka king Rudradaman I around 150 C.E., an artificial lake aptly named "Sudarshana" [beautiful] was constructed on the hills of Raivataka during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.
The strategy game of Chess [Shatranja or Ashtapada] was invented in India.
Origin of chess in India 16th century
Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and physicians of his period were conducting surgical procedures like caesarean, cataract, artificial limbs fitment, fracture treatment, urinary stones removal, and even plastic and brain surgery. Usage of anaesthesia was well known in ancient India. Over 125 surgical instruments were used. Deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, aetiology, embryology, digestion, metabolism, genetics, and immunology is found in many ancient texts.
The first postage stamps of Asia, the "Scinde Dawk", were issued in India in 1852 in the District of Sindh. The first bi-coloured stamps of the British Commonwealth were also issued in India in 1854. The world's first air post service was introduced in India in 1911.
The "Scinde Dawk" stamps of 1852
Krishna Consciousness
Krishna Consciousness--Hindu Cult or Divine Culture?
Sometimes Indians both inside and outside of India think that we are preaching the Hindu religion, but actually we are not. People should not think that we are preaching a sectarian religion. No. We are simply preaching how to love God. We are giving a spiritual culture that can solve all the problems of life, and therefore it is being accepted all over the world. Related Articles (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
Sankara, India's Greatest Impersonalist Meditated on Lord Krishna and the Bhagavad Gita
Srila Prabhupada chastises impersonalist yogis and swamis, the nominal followers of the ninth-century teacher Sankara, in this commentary on Sankara's Meditation on the Bhagavad Gita: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Whereas Sankara, the greatest of the impersonalists, offers his due respects to Krishna and His book Bhagavad Gita, the foolish say that we need not surrender to the personal Krishna. (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
The Indian Caste System
Although many Hindus subscribe to the belief that one is born into a certain caste this belief is not supported by their scriptures. The caste system in India has degenerated into a system falsely recognizing men born in Brahmin families as Brahmins, even though they don't exhibit the qualities of Brahmins. This has caused so many problems. Related Articles (Article by Madhudvida dasa)
NASA Images Discover Ancient Bridge between India and Sri Lanka
Space images taken by NASA reveal a mysterious ancient bridge in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. The recently discovered bridge currently named as Adam's Bridge is made of chain of shoals, c.18 mi (30 km) long. Article by
The Krishna Consciousness Movement is the Genuine Vedic Way
After reading an article on the Krishna consciousness movement in the Los Angeles Times, Srila Prabhupada begins an unusual correspondence with Dr. J.F. Stall, Professor of Philosophy and of South Asian Languages at the University of California, Berkeley... (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
It Once Happened...
The British were in India and held great sway through the East India Company. One of their rewarding financial `arrangements' was to arrange for monies being paid to temples for their maintenance to instead be paid as a tax to them. Article by
Prabhupada Speaks to the Birlas, India's Richest Family (MP3 Audio)
To become very big businessman is not ordinary thing; it requires very great labour, brain. But the result, Krishna says, Give it to Me. So there is no harm to become very big businessman, earning money. That is all right--but you give it to Krishna. Then in any position you can remain Krishna consciousness. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)
Prabhupada And Nehru's Incarnation
The incident that we are going to recount took place in mid-sixties. It took place soon after Nehru's death when Prabhupada was still alive. I was then working in an office in downtown Broadway in New York City, not too far from Brooklyn. (Article by The Truth Detector)
City Under the Sea
B.K. Parthasarathy writes about a spectacular underwater archaeological find by a joint British-Indian diving team that could rewrite history. (Article by B.K. Parthasarathy)
Mining reduces Krishna's playground to dust
Thousands of people inhabiting the verdant and hilly northern belt home to the folklore of Hindu god Krishna are waging a grim campaign to save their land from illegal mining and stone quarrying. (Article by India Abroad News Service)
Krishna or Shiva?
For many years I have thought myself a devotee of Lord Shiva. Recently my daughter was diagnosed with cancer and i find myself worshiping Lord Krishna and have had many incredible Krishna and Jagannath experiences. (Letter from Nirantara dasa)
Spiritual Journey to India
Travel with Vaisnava monks to ancient temples and sacred sites. Take courses on meditation, bhakti-yoga, vegetarian cuisine and Indian musical instruments. Study Upanishads and other Vedic texts. Experience a simpler, healthier lifestyle. Related Articles (Article by Nimai Pandit Das)
Mahabharata: Some of the Essential Facts
The statements in the Bhagavatam and Mahabharata and the Puranas are all different historical incidents. Mahabharata is called, according to Vedic authorities, as the history of India. I do not know who first designated it as an “epic”. That is the cause of the fall down of Hindu culture. They did not believe in their Vedic literatures presented by Vyasadeva... (Article by Recycled by Madhusudana dasa)
Krishna is an Incarnation of Maha-Visnu? There is No Krsnaloka??
As a matter of fact Krisna is only an avatara of Maha Visnu, and there are many such avataras. You have also stated in many verses about golok brundavana. In which scripture did you find it that there is some loka with this name? As far as i know there is Vaikuntam, which is the abode of LORD Maha Visnu... (Letter from Dilip Kumar)
The Glory of India--A New Web Site
Most people have been brainwashed with false and misleading information on the Religion, Culture and History of India. Most Hindus living in the west have very little or no knowledge about their own Religion, Culture and History. If you have children, it is your duty as a parent to educate them... (Article by Kamlesh Patel)
Sometimes Indians both inside and outside of India think that we are preaching the Hindu religion, but actually we are not. People should not think that we are preaching a sectarian religion. No. We are simply preaching how to love God. We are giving a spiritual culture that can solve all the problems of life, and therefore it is being accepted all over the world. Related Articles (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
Sankara, India's Greatest Impersonalist Meditated on Lord Krishna and the Bhagavad Gita
Srila Prabhupada chastises impersonalist yogis and swamis, the nominal followers of the ninth-century teacher Sankara, in this commentary on Sankara's Meditation on the Bhagavad Gita: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Whereas Sankara, the greatest of the impersonalists, offers his due respects to Krishna and His book Bhagavad Gita, the foolish say that we need not surrender to the personal Krishna. (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
The Indian Caste System
Although many Hindus subscribe to the belief that one is born into a certain caste this belief is not supported by their scriptures. The caste system in India has degenerated into a system falsely recognizing men born in Brahmin families as Brahmins, even though they don't exhibit the qualities of Brahmins. This has caused so many problems. Related Articles (Article by Madhudvida dasa)
NASA Images Discover Ancient Bridge between India and Sri Lanka
Space images taken by NASA reveal a mysterious ancient bridge in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. The recently discovered bridge currently named as Adam's Bridge is made of chain of shoals, c.18 mi (30 km) long. Article by
The Krishna Consciousness Movement is the Genuine Vedic Way
After reading an article on the Krishna consciousness movement in the Los Angeles Times, Srila Prabhupada begins an unusual correspondence with Dr. J.F. Stall, Professor of Philosophy and of South Asian Languages at the University of California, Berkeley... (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
It Once Happened...
The British were in India and held great sway through the East India Company. One of their rewarding financial `arrangements' was to arrange for monies being paid to temples for their maintenance to instead be paid as a tax to them. Article by
Prabhupada Speaks to the Birlas, India's Richest Family (MP3 Audio)
To become very big businessman is not ordinary thing; it requires very great labour, brain. But the result, Krishna says, Give it to Me. So there is no harm to become very big businessman, earning money. That is all right--but you give it to Krishna. Then in any position you can remain Krishna consciousness. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)
Prabhupada And Nehru's Incarnation
The incident that we are going to recount took place in mid-sixties. It took place soon after Nehru's death when Prabhupada was still alive. I was then working in an office in downtown Broadway in New York City, not too far from Brooklyn. (Article by The Truth Detector)
City Under the Sea
B.K. Parthasarathy writes about a spectacular underwater archaeological find by a joint British-Indian diving team that could rewrite history. (Article by B.K. Parthasarathy)
Mining reduces Krishna's playground to dust
Thousands of people inhabiting the verdant and hilly northern belt home to the folklore of Hindu god Krishna are waging a grim campaign to save their land from illegal mining and stone quarrying. (Article by India Abroad News Service)
Krishna or Shiva?
For many years I have thought myself a devotee of Lord Shiva. Recently my daughter was diagnosed with cancer and i find myself worshiping Lord Krishna and have had many incredible Krishna and Jagannath experiences. (Letter from Nirantara dasa)
Spiritual Journey to India
Travel with Vaisnava monks to ancient temples and sacred sites. Take courses on meditation, bhakti-yoga, vegetarian cuisine and Indian musical instruments. Study Upanishads and other Vedic texts. Experience a simpler, healthier lifestyle. Related Articles (Article by Nimai Pandit Das)
Mahabharata: Some of the Essential Facts
The statements in the Bhagavatam and Mahabharata and the Puranas are all different historical incidents. Mahabharata is called, according to Vedic authorities, as the history of India. I do not know who first designated it as an “epic”. That is the cause of the fall down of Hindu culture. They did not believe in their Vedic literatures presented by Vyasadeva... (Article by Recycled by Madhusudana dasa)
Krishna is an Incarnation of Maha-Visnu? There is No Krsnaloka??
As a matter of fact Krisna is only an avatara of Maha Visnu, and there are many such avataras. You have also stated in many verses about golok brundavana. In which scripture did you find it that there is some loka with this name? As far as i know there is Vaikuntam, which is the abode of LORD Maha Visnu... (Letter from Dilip Kumar)
The Glory of India--A New Web Site
Most people have been brainwashed with false and misleading information on the Religion, Culture and History of India. Most Hindus living in the west have very little or no knowledge about their own Religion, Culture and History. If you have children, it is your duty as a parent to educate them... (Article by Kamlesh Patel)
Indian glories
Most people have been brainwashed with false and misleading information on the Religion, Culture and History of India. Most Hindus living in the west have very little or no knowledge about their own Religion, Culture and History. If you have children, it is your duty as a parent to educate them... Kamlesh Patel (09-14-00)
India is one of the few countries in the World, which gained independence without using violence.
The greatest games of all, CHESS and PLAYING CARDS originated from India.
The Art of Meditation and Yoga originated from India.
Martial Arts (karate and Judo) originated from India, not China.
The World's first University was established in Takshila, India, in 700BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century BC was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
India has never invaded any country in her last 10,000 years of history.
Everything which was either discovered or invented by the Hindus in India was cleverly denied authenticity and downplayed by those who came to rule India, the Arabs and the British.
Sanskrit, the oldest language in the World, originated from India.
The ancient Indian astronomers had tabulated the movement and positions of the sun, planets and the stars in space, long before Isaac Newton came up with the theory of gravity after the apple had fallen on his head.
USA based IEEE has proved what has been a century old suspicion in the world scientific community that the pioneer of wireless communication was Prof. Jagdeesh Bose and not Marconi.
Cleverly termed by the west as Arabic numerals simply because the Arabs brought the knowledge of India to the West after invading India. Hindsaa (numerals) in Arabic means from India.
India was the most peaceful country on earth before the Arab invasion in the 8th Century.
The art of Navigation was born in the river Sindh 6000 years ago. The very word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH. The word navy is also derived from Sanskrit 'Nou'.
Bhaskaracharya calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. Time taken by earth to orbit the sun: (5th century) 365.258756484 days.
Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to humans. Charaka, the father of medicine consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago. Today Ayurveda is fast regaining its rightful place in our civilization.
Budhayana first calculated the value of "pi", and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century long before the European mathematicians.
Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his time conducted complicated surgeries like cesareans, cataract, artificial limbs, fractures, urinary stones and even plastic surgery and brain surgery. Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India. Over 125 surgical equipment were used. Deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, etiology, mbryology, digestion, metabolism, genetics and immunity is also found in many texts.
India is the largest Democracy in the World.
The greatest knowledge on Love, the Kama Sutra is the work of India.
All Hindus should feel proud of their heritage and achievements.
Whilst academic education is important for getting a good job, which will bring a good income. People fail to realize that academic knowledge is concerned with the material body. It's all knowledge meant for fulfilling the animal instincts of the body. We come into this world with nothing and will leave the same way. We cannot take the materialist things like money, cars and houses, with us. Nor can we take the academic knowledge of this world with us. Everything in this material world is temporary. The only thing that will stay with us is our karma, our history of the good and bad actions taken in this and previous lives.
India is one of the few countries in the World, which gained independence without using violence.
The greatest games of all, CHESS and PLAYING CARDS originated from India.
The Art of Meditation and Yoga originated from India.
Martial Arts (karate and Judo) originated from India, not China.
The World's first University was established in Takshila, India, in 700BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century BC was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
India has never invaded any country in her last 10,000 years of history.
Everything which was either discovered or invented by the Hindus in India was cleverly denied authenticity and downplayed by those who came to rule India, the Arabs and the British.
Sanskrit, the oldest language in the World, originated from India.
The ancient Indian astronomers had tabulated the movement and positions of the sun, planets and the stars in space, long before Isaac Newton came up with the theory of gravity after the apple had fallen on his head.
USA based IEEE has proved what has been a century old suspicion in the world scientific community that the pioneer of wireless communication was Prof. Jagdeesh Bose and not Marconi.
Cleverly termed by the west as Arabic numerals simply because the Arabs brought the knowledge of India to the West after invading India. Hindsaa (numerals) in Arabic means from India.
India was the most peaceful country on earth before the Arab invasion in the 8th Century.
The art of Navigation was born in the river Sindh 6000 years ago. The very word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH. The word navy is also derived from Sanskrit 'Nou'.
Bhaskaracharya calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. Time taken by earth to orbit the sun: (5th century) 365.258756484 days.
Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to humans. Charaka, the father of medicine consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago. Today Ayurveda is fast regaining its rightful place in our civilization.
Budhayana first calculated the value of "pi", and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century long before the European mathematicians.
Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his time conducted complicated surgeries like cesareans, cataract, artificial limbs, fractures, urinary stones and even plastic surgery and brain surgery. Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India. Over 125 surgical equipment were used. Deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, etiology, mbryology, digestion, metabolism, genetics and immunity is also found in many texts.
India is the largest Democracy in the World.
The greatest knowledge on Love, the Kama Sutra is the work of India.
All Hindus should feel proud of their heritage and achievements.
Whilst academic education is important for getting a good job, which will bring a good income. People fail to realize that academic knowledge is concerned with the material body. It's all knowledge meant for fulfilling the animal instincts of the body. We come into this world with nothing and will leave the same way. We cannot take the materialist things like money, cars and houses, with us. Nor can we take the academic knowledge of this world with us. Everything in this material world is temporary. The only thing that will stay with us is our karma, our history of the good and bad actions taken in this and previous lives.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Indian religions
The Soul and Reincarnation. Letter to a Christian.
As the embodied soul continually passes in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change. Related Articles (Article by Madhudvisa dasa)
USA: Getting God out of the Schools.
Since the Pledge of Allegiance and The Lord's Prayer are not allowed in most public schools anymore-because the word God is mentioned, a kid in Arizona wrote the following prayer... (Article by Anon.)
A God of Love? A God of Goodness?
From the Bilbe, Jesus is the Son of God. So we know that Jesus is from the God and goddness. If God is a God of goodness, a God of love why does he let people suffer so much? Thanks guys. -- Haonan (Article by Madhudvisa dasa)
Uniting the Different Religions of the World With the Bhagavad-gita
The plain truth is that the Supreme Godhead is the Father, the Nature is the Supreme Mother and all living entities so many children of Almighty Father Godhead and the Mother Nature. The whole arrangement is therefore a family unit and one should wonder as to why there is so much anomaly in this universal family affair. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada)
Allah is not name. It is not the name. It is just like the idea of God.
But Allah is not the name. That is...Just like the President and Mr. Nixon. The President may be another person. Not only Nixon, but another person also may be. So President is the general understanding of the post. But still, one who occupies the post, he has got a name. (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
The Order Of God
If somebody comes to your home to kidnap your wife, to take by force your property or to set fire in your house, he is called atatayi. He should immediately be killed. It is not that nonviolence nonsense. If somebody is coming to attack you unnecessarily, you must kill him first. It is not Vaisnavism... "Oh, this man is coming to kill me. Right. All right, let me embrace him." No. That is not the rule. When there is atatayi, aggressor, you must fight, you must kill. That is religious. (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
Religion of Love--A Book Review
In my opinion the whole thesis is based on the philosophy of pantheism and the approach is made by the services of mankind. Religion of love is the true religious idea but if the approach is made through the service of mankind only, then the process is made imperfect, partial and unscientific. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada)
Who Is God?
There are many conceptions of God ranging from one of a formless spirit to that of an old man with a beard sitting on a throne... (Madhavananda dasa--Link to website)
Christ and Krishna - the Name is the Same
When an Indian person calls on Krishna, he often says, Krsta. Krsta is a Sanskrit word meaning attraction. So when we address God as Christ, Krsta, or Krishna we indicate the same all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead. When Jesus said, Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name, the name of God was Krsta or Krishna. Related Articles (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
You are not eternally conditioned. You are eternally liberated...
Yes, Lord Jesus was jiva-tattva. He is not Visnu tattva. When a jiva-tattva becomes specifically empowered by the Lord, he is called saktyavesa avatara. Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ were in this group of saktyavesa avatara.. But they were not in conditioned state when they appeared; they came to teach here. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada)
Interview with Religion Editor of The London Observer
Religion, as it is explained in the dictionary is accepting a supreme controller. Is it not? So do the people accept a supreme controller? Do they accept? There are so many system of religions, but do they actually know who is the supreme controller? That is my question. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)
Universal Religion Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.19 Los Angeles, July 9, 1974 (MP3 Audio)
For the foolish person, This is Hindu religion, This is Christian religion, and This is Muhammadan religion. But religion is one. How it can be Hindu religion, Christian religion? No. Religion is one. God is one. Because religion means the law or the order given by God. That is religion. Simple definition. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)
Lecture at St. Pascal's Franciscan Seminary Melbourne Australia
Father Greene hinted the common platform of religion. Common platform is not very difficult to understand because religion means to know God and abide by the orders of God. That is religion. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that religious systems cannot be manufactured by man. No. Man-made religion is not religion. Religion means God-made religion. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)
Vedanta, Impersonalists and Buddhists
The impersonalists masquerade as Vedantists, but actually they are defying Vedanta. All the Vedas affirm it vehemently that the Supersoul and the soul are two different identities, although qualitatively one. But the impersonalists they accept Vedas as authority, but they go against the verdict of the Vedas. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada)
The Evolution of Spiritual Science
If the reader carefully considers, it will be found that the spiritual science gradually evolved from ancient times and became more simple, more clear and more condensed. The more impurities arising from time and place are removed, the more the beauties of the spiritual science brightly shine before us. This spiritual science took birth in the land of kusha grass on the banks of the Sarasvati river in Brahmavarta. As it (Article by Bhaktivinoda Thakura)
Shri Chaitanya And The Koran
The following is from the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya Lila, Vol.7. The Chapter is titled Lord Caitanya's Visit to Sri Vrindavan. It clearly presents the Gaudiya Vaisnava conception in regards to the Koran and Islam. (Verses 159 thru 213) Related Articles (Article by Vrin Parker)
Questions From A Muslim With Answers From Khan
I downloaded Bhagvad Geeta from your site and read it. I am extremely impressed and moved by the teachings of Krishana Ji. But being a Muslim, some questions arose in my mind. If you could help me to finding their answers, I will be grateful to you. Related Articles (Letter from Khan)
The Seeds of Islamic Fundamentalism
We all know that most Muslims are not terrorists, nor do they want to quarrel with others. The majority of them simply want to worship God in their way and live a peaceful life. So why does there seem to be friction and difficulties that often involve Muslims? And why are there so many terrorists in the world who, indeed, call themselves followers of Islam? Where do we find the seeds Related Articles (Article by Compiled by Stephen Knapp)
Letter to a Buddhist
We know, however, there is no happiness in the material word. Happiness is experienced in our relationship with Krishna, and our relationship with the other devotees who are also serving Krishna. When we can please Krishna that is real happiness. And that happiness is unending and unlimited. That is real happiness. (Letter from Madhudvisa dasa)
The Secret Teachings of Scientology
Would you like to hear a wild story? Are you sitting comfortably? Right, let's begin: 0nce upon a time (75 million years ago to be more precise) there was an alien galactic ruler named Xenu. Xenu was in charge of all the planets in this part of the galaxy, including our own planet Earth. In those days, Earth was called Teegeeack. (Article by xenu.com website)
As the embodied soul continually passes in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change. Related Articles (Article by Madhudvisa dasa)
USA: Getting God out of the Schools.
Since the Pledge of Allegiance and The Lord's Prayer are not allowed in most public schools anymore-because the word God is mentioned, a kid in Arizona wrote the following prayer... (Article by Anon.)
A God of Love? A God of Goodness?
From the Bilbe, Jesus is the Son of God. So we know that Jesus is from the God and goddness. If God is a God of goodness, a God of love why does he let people suffer so much? Thanks guys. -- Haonan (Article by Madhudvisa dasa)
Uniting the Different Religions of the World With the Bhagavad-gita
The plain truth is that the Supreme Godhead is the Father, the Nature is the Supreme Mother and all living entities so many children of Almighty Father Godhead and the Mother Nature. The whole arrangement is therefore a family unit and one should wonder as to why there is so much anomaly in this universal family affair. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada)
Allah is not name. It is not the name. It is just like the idea of God.
But Allah is not the name. That is...Just like the President and Mr. Nixon. The President may be another person. Not only Nixon, but another person also may be. So President is the general understanding of the post. But still, one who occupies the post, he has got a name. (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
The Order Of God
If somebody comes to your home to kidnap your wife, to take by force your property or to set fire in your house, he is called atatayi. He should immediately be killed. It is not that nonviolence nonsense. If somebody is coming to attack you unnecessarily, you must kill him first. It is not Vaisnavism... "Oh, this man is coming to kill me. Right. All right, let me embrace him." No. That is not the rule. When there is atatayi, aggressor, you must fight, you must kill. That is religious. (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
Religion of Love--A Book Review
In my opinion the whole thesis is based on the philosophy of pantheism and the approach is made by the services of mankind. Religion of love is the true religious idea but if the approach is made through the service of mankind only, then the process is made imperfect, partial and unscientific. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada)
Who Is God?
There are many conceptions of God ranging from one of a formless spirit to that of an old man with a beard sitting on a throne... (Madhavananda dasa--Link to website)
Christ and Krishna - the Name is the Same
When an Indian person calls on Krishna, he often says, Krsta. Krsta is a Sanskrit word meaning attraction. So when we address God as Christ, Krsta, or Krishna we indicate the same all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead. When Jesus said, Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name, the name of God was Krsta or Krishna. Related Articles (Article by Srila Prabhupada)
You are not eternally conditioned. You are eternally liberated...
Yes, Lord Jesus was jiva-tattva. He is not Visnu tattva. When a jiva-tattva becomes specifically empowered by the Lord, he is called saktyavesa avatara. Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ were in this group of saktyavesa avatara.. But they were not in conditioned state when they appeared; they came to teach here. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada)
Interview with Religion Editor of The London Observer
Religion, as it is explained in the dictionary is accepting a supreme controller. Is it not? So do the people accept a supreme controller? Do they accept? There are so many system of religions, but do they actually know who is the supreme controller? That is my question. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)
Universal Religion Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.19 Los Angeles, July 9, 1974 (MP3 Audio)
For the foolish person, This is Hindu religion, This is Christian religion, and This is Muhammadan religion. But religion is one. How it can be Hindu religion, Christian religion? No. Religion is one. God is one. Because religion means the law or the order given by God. That is religion. Simple definition. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)
Lecture at St. Pascal's Franciscan Seminary Melbourne Australia
Father Greene hinted the common platform of religion. Common platform is not very difficult to understand because religion means to know God and abide by the orders of God. That is religion. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that religious systems cannot be manufactured by man. No. Man-made religion is not religion. Religion means God-made religion. (MP3 Audio by Srila Prabhupada)
Vedanta, Impersonalists and Buddhists
The impersonalists masquerade as Vedantists, but actually they are defying Vedanta. All the Vedas affirm it vehemently that the Supersoul and the soul are two different identities, although qualitatively one. But the impersonalists they accept Vedas as authority, but they go against the verdict of the Vedas. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada)
The Evolution of Spiritual Science
If the reader carefully considers, it will be found that the spiritual science gradually evolved from ancient times and became more simple, more clear and more condensed. The more impurities arising from time and place are removed, the more the beauties of the spiritual science brightly shine before us. This spiritual science took birth in the land of kusha grass on the banks of the Sarasvati river in Brahmavarta. As it (Article by Bhaktivinoda Thakura)
Shri Chaitanya And The Koran
The following is from the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya Lila, Vol.7. The Chapter is titled Lord Caitanya's Visit to Sri Vrindavan. It clearly presents the Gaudiya Vaisnava conception in regards to the Koran and Islam. (Verses 159 thru 213) Related Articles (Article by Vrin Parker)
Questions From A Muslim With Answers From Khan
I downloaded Bhagvad Geeta from your site and read it. I am extremely impressed and moved by the teachings of Krishana Ji. But being a Muslim, some questions arose in my mind. If you could help me to finding their answers, I will be grateful to you. Related Articles (Letter from Khan)
The Seeds of Islamic Fundamentalism
We all know that most Muslims are not terrorists, nor do they want to quarrel with others. The majority of them simply want to worship God in their way and live a peaceful life. So why does there seem to be friction and difficulties that often involve Muslims? And why are there so many terrorists in the world who, indeed, call themselves followers of Islam? Where do we find the seeds Related Articles (Article by Compiled by Stephen Knapp)
Letter to a Buddhist
We know, however, there is no happiness in the material word. Happiness is experienced in our relationship with Krishna, and our relationship with the other devotees who are also serving Krishna. When we can please Krishna that is real happiness. And that happiness is unending and unlimited. That is real happiness. (Letter from Madhudvisa dasa)
The Secret Teachings of Scientology
Would you like to hear a wild story? Are you sitting comfortably? Right, let's begin: 0nce upon a time (75 million years ago to be more precise) there was an alien galactic ruler named Xenu. Xenu was in charge of all the planets in this part of the galaxy, including our own planet Earth. In those days, Earth was called Teegeeack. (Article by xenu.com website)
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