Translated, Anekantavada literally means “no-one-perspective-ism”; in other words, the multiplicity and relativity of views. This means the arguments espoused by the various participants in a debate all hold some validity. A complete understanding of any truth requires the consideration and acceptance of a variety of viewpoints.

The story of five blind men and an elephant is mostly reckoned to be a Jain contribution. Ahimsa (non violence) and Anekantavada (many pointedness) are said to be the two basic pillars of Jain philosophical tradition.

Source: https://pluralism.org/anekantavada-the-relativity-of-views

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Sangha is the monastic order of Buddha. “Sangham Sharnam Gatchami,” ( I take refuge in the Sangha), is a basic Buddhist chant. Sangha is one among the Triratnas (Three Jewels) of Buddhism, the other two being Buddha and Dhamma.

Mahabharata and Panini use the term Sangha to describe a republic. The rules of the monastic order of Buddha were modelled on the rules of the republics in his time. The Mahaparinibbana­suttanta, a Buddhist text, mentions that the rules for conducting the Buddhist sangha were based in principle on those commonly found in political sanghas or ganas.

Prof Jayaswal says, “The birth of the religious brotherhood of Buddha from the constitutional womb of an Indian republic is of interest to the world.” The key organizational virtue of Sangha was the full participation (like in a republic) of all the monks in the ritual and disciplinary acts of their group.

Source: KP Jayaswal, “Hindu Polity”;
C Rajendran, “Democratic Principles in the Polity of Ancient India”, SVU Oriental Journal, Golden Jubilee Volume.
Steve Muhlberger, “Democracy in Ancient India”

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons, “The Buddha preaches the Vessantara Jataka to the Sangha and his Family, Chedi Traiphop Traimongkhon Temple, Hatyai”

In Gujarat prevalence of the sun worship is indicated by the number of inscriptions and remains of stone sculptures. The temple at Modhera is the most important of all sun-temples built in the whole of Gujarat.  It enjoys the same significance as other two well known sun-temples in Kashmir (Martand) and Orissa (Konark).  According to the Skanda Purana (3.2.40-67) after defeating Ravana, Lord Rama consulted Muni Vasishta to show him a place of pilgrimage where he could go and purify himself.  The Muni showed him dharmaranya, where Modherak or Modhera is situated. The famous sun temple was constructed in 1026-27 A.D. during the reign of Chalukya King Bhima I (1022-1063 A.D.). Though the temple has suffered extensive damages due to invasions, it still retains its original grandeur. But apart from its material beauty, its designer has succeeded in communicating to it an atmosphere of spiritual grace.  The temple faces the east. The rising sun at the equinoxes filters in a golden cadence through its openings, from door way to corridor, past columned vestibules finally to fall on the image in its innermost chamber.

Source: Dr. Advaitavadini Kaul, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts

Picture Credit: S. R. Ramanujam

In Bengali tradition Kali Puja is celebrated on the night of Diwali. The night worship is perhaps a nod to the tantric origins of the worship. According to a legend, Lord Shiva lay down on the path of goddess Kali, who went on a rampage slaughtering demons. After she stepped unknowingly on Shiva’s bare body, she calmed down. The festival is celebrated to control ego and other negative tendencies that hinder spiritual progress.

Source: Hindu Festivals and Sacred Days, Ramakrishna Math

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/diwali-kali-puja-onam-naraka-chaturdasi-celebrated-return-of-rama-mahabali-349147-2016-10-29

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Rock carvings at Chilas in Kashmir, along a major trade route in the Gilgit valley, include a pair of figures, holding what seem to be a plough and disc, wearing wide open coats similar to that of the Kushana period. They are identified as Balarama and Krishna based on the Kharoshthi inscriptions found in the area.

Source: A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India From the Stone Age to the 12th Century by Upinder Singh

Pashupatas are mentioned in the Mahabharata and flourished from atleast the 2nd century BCE. Their preceptor is said to be Lakulisha. He lived in Gujarat and introduced Hatha Yoga and Tantra in his philosophy.

As per Puranas, Shiva indicated that he would enter a dead body and incarnate himself as Lakulin (or Nakulin or Lakulisha, lakula meaning “club”). Pashupata Shaivism was popular in Gujarat, Rajasthan and the Konkan.

The great Shiva temple at Elephanta was excavated during the 6th century, Kalachuri period. The large sculpture panel depicting Lakulisha in a contemplative posture is situated on the left of the north entrance. The photo shown is this sculpture.

Source: British Library Online

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Abyssinian Siddis were based at Janjira and were a threat to the Marathas. From Alibaug southwards, a stretch of 200 kilometers was under the control of Siddis. In 1672, Shivaji blockaded Janjira. Over a period of time, the Siddis changed their allegiance from Bijapur to Mughals to British. The Marathas continued to fight them well into the eighteenth century. In 1732, Bajirao took over the entire Konkan coast from the Siddis except the island of Janjira and a few forts to the south. In 1736, Chimaji Appa and Manaji Angre fought and killed Siddi Sat. From then onwards the Siddi’s hold over Konkan was broken leaving them only with the fort of Janjira.

Picture Credit: Janjira Fort, Himanshu Sarpotdkar, Flickr

Nanded in Maharashtra is the location where Guru Gobind Singh spent his last days in the year 1708. Before his death, the Guru had declared, “All my Sikhs are hereby ordered to accept the Granth as their Preceptor. Have faith in the holy Granth as your master and consider it the visible manifestation of the Gurus.”

More than a hundred years later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh ordered a Gurudwara to be built on the banks of the river Godavari. The personal belongings of Guru Gobind Singh including swords and bow & arrows are preserved in the Gurudwara. It is one of the five Takhts of Sikhism.

Source: Sikh Shrines in India, G.S.Randhir

Picture Credit: Sandeep Chetan Flickr

Sanchi stupa at Vidisha near Bhopal is considered the earliest surviving complete form of temple architecture in India. Buddhist literature including the memoirs of Chinese pilgrims hardly mention Sanchi. Many scholars believe that it relates to the story of Asoka’s marriage with a merchant’s daughter. They also believe it is the site where their son Mahendra halted during his proselytising mission. Whether the story is true or not, the earliest monuments at Sanchi date from Asoka’s time. It was in use till 12th century CE and is now a UNESCO world heritage site since 1989.

Picture Credit: Biswarup Ganguly, Wikimedia Commons

The first sections of the Kashi Khanda list 12 adityas in Varanasi. Later chapters give descriptions of two more adityas (Sumantvaditya and Karnaditya), bringing the number of temples and shrines up to fourteen. Each of the original fourteen aditya temples of Varanasi was razed by invaders. However, the adityas remained in the communal memory of the city. Today, the fourteen adityas are marked by a variety of small and unpretentious features such as carved Sun disks, lotus-form stones or images of Surya, which are set into walls, installed in small shrines or the precincts of temples.

The picture is of Lolarka Kunda in Varanasi, which has an image of trembling Sun.

Source: Malville, J. McKim and Singh, Rana P.B. 1995 i. Visual astronomy in the mythology and ritual of India: The Sun temples of Varanasi.

Picture Credit: Rana P.B. Singh

Didda was born beautiful but lame. She descended from the great Hindu Shahis of Kabul. Around 950CE, Kashmir was in turmoil. The royal who won the throne tried to legitimize himself by marrying his son to the lame princess of great lineage. By 958 CE, Didda’s father in law and husband were dead and she became regent to her infant son.

Using diplomacy, bribery and bravery she kept a hostile court at bay. She favored and punished a succession of competent court favorites. A series of sons and grandsons died as child kings, mean accounts suggest that it was Didda’s doing. Around 980 CE, Didda took power directly, ruling till 1003CE and making Kashmir stable & prosperous. She anointed her brother’s son as her successor and his Lohara dynasty ruled for 300 years.

Kalhana writes, “The Lame Queen that no one thought could step over a cow’s footprint, stepped over an ocean of enemies just like Hanuman got over the ocean”.

Picture Credit: The Wikimedia image by Old India Coins is of coins issued by Queen Didda. She is shown sitting cross-legged.

Rama’s battle with Ravana raged on. As Ravana perpetually thought of Sita in his heart, it is believed that Rama could not shoot an arrow at his heart. It was predicted that Ravana will get frustrated and think of revenge on Rama and forget Sita. At that time Rama would be able to kill Ravana as Sita was no longer in his heart. At Dunuwila, Rama is believed to have drawn the brahmastra that killed Ravana.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit

Ramtek literally means the place where Lord Rama stopped or rested. He is believed to have rested here for a while during his exile.

Ramtek is also the location from which Kalidasa is believed to have composed the immortal Meghdoot. The geographical features of Ramtek closely match the description in the verses of the poem.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Shiva adorned Chandra to console him and to absolve him of a curse.

Chandra had married twenty seven daughters of Daksha, the son of Brahma. But he was partial to two of them. The rest of the daughters complained to Daksha. An infuriated Daksha cursed that Chandra would lose his brightness. Chandra repented his actions but Daksha would not forgive him. Chandra surrendered to Shiva who then adorned him in his head. Shiva also ordained that instead of losing the brightness forever, Chandra would wax and wane.

This beautiful bronze deity is unfortunately in Brooklyn museum.

Picture Credit: Brooklyn Museum

Ayomukhi is an ogress who coveted Lakshmana as she saw him wandering with Rama. She transformed herself into a beautiful woman and implored Lakshmana to stay with her. When Lakshmana refused, she turned into her true form and grabbed him. Lakshmana cut off her nose, ears and breast. The ogress ran into her cave seeking safety. Nowadays, villagers have blocked off the cave with two foot thick concrete because ten villagers who ventured into the cave are believed to have died. There is a temple nearby in which only a female priest officiates since Ayomukhi does not kill women.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit
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