Notes on Sri Krishn, the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'), Indus Seals, etc.

[There has never been an Aryan Invasion. ~ A humble endeavour: Notes on Sri Krishn, the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'), etc ~ do read the post in its entirety... to grasp its scope et al.]

Bhagavad comes from Bhagavan (honorific for Ishvara/Ishvari) - 'the Eternal One'. Gita comes from Geet or Geeta - meaning "song". ~ Therefore, the Bhagavad-Gita means, the song of the Eternal One. In other words: the Song of the Primordial. Srimad is honorific. [~ The Sanskrit language is both erudite and mellifluous. With correct diction and timbre/tonal quality (which comes with practice, and practice makes perfect), it resonates; one can (then) even call it song. | Krishn speaks in sublime metaphors, allegories, similies, and so on. Therefore, literal translations or over-simplification is misleading. BG 10.32: || vādaḥ pravadatām aham || ~ "I am logic of the logician." | The Sanskrit language is not meant to be spoken from the tongue or even the voice-box (larynx), instead the words should emerge from within - like a perennial fountain or stream, thereupon it takes on a resonating quality. This is the essence of the Sanskrit language. ~ Devi Sarasvati is said to have invented Sanskrit, known as the mother of all languages, of scriptures and scholarship. The Goddess is also revered as the mother of the Vedas and as the mother of the Indian Civilization/Indus-Sarasvati Civilization/'Aryavarsha' (~ abode of the Arya people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble, noble-natured or people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values. Varsha = continent, in Sanskrit. | The right-handed swastika symbol originated in ancient India and is the symbol of the mighty River SarasvatI as well as 'Aryavarsha' - also known as the Sindhu-SarasvatI Sabhyata/Civilization (~ possibly the oldest civilization in the world, and thus the cradle of civilization.) It is also the sign of Sanaatan Dharma. | Do refer the relevant passages on Aryavarsha, Swastika and the etymology of "Hindu" and "India".

The so-called 'Aryan blitzkrieg' or 'Aryan Invasion theory' is fictitious. It never happened. ~ When the British archaeologist (Wheeler) discovered a dozen skeletons, he propounded a theory about the final massacre by 'marauding invaders' that put an end to the Indus civilization. When an Indian scholar told him of Hariyuppa (or "Hariyupiyah") being mentioned in the Rig Veda, he took it to mean Harappa. ~ And since a fort was known as pur, and Indra (possibly a 'title' for the king/ruler/chief of the ancient 'Deva' people) was known as Purandhara or destroyer of forts, it all fitted neatly. After all, weren't the Indus cities among the most fortified? ~ Archaeologists are known to stumble, but the kind of knocking that the 'Aryan Invasion theory' has taken has few parallels. There are still many misconceptions about this culture that has resulted from the theoretical and cultural biases of the earliest excavators. One other misconception is that the Indus urban society was the result of colonization from Mesopotamia to the west (in modern Iraq). | The ancient Indus people couldn't have copied their town-planning from Egypt and Mesopotamia because in those civilizations the roads meandered like village streets. Nor was the writing similar to Sumer's (Sumerian Civilization - ancient Iraq, etc) cuneiform or the Egyptian (ancient Miṣr) hieroglyphics. The ancient Indus people had their own distinctive style. The greatness of the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata or 'Aryavarsha') can be attributed to ancient Indian genius (~ and trade was the driving force/factor.)

The term Swastika has been derived from the Sanskrit word "Svastika", which means well-being: "SU" means "good" or "auspicious," "ASTI" means "to be," and "KA" as a suffix. The swastika literally means, "to be good". Alternatively: "swa" is "higher self" (Supersoul), "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation can be interpreted as: "being with higher self". Suasti thus means "well-being." The suffix -ka either forms a diminutive or intensifies the verbal meaning, and suastika might thus be translated literally as "that which is associated with well-being," corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that is auspicious." Thus swastika means any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote auspiciousness, good luck or well-being. | Probably the most common design on the Indus seals is the swastika. The Swastika represents the cosmic spinning vortex. ~ In Sanaatan Dharma, the swastika represents the Universe in our own spiral galaxy in the forefinger of the Cosmic Entity. This carries most significance in establishing the creation of the Universe and the arms as 'kaalah' or time. | The union of Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul) with the Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul) is called Sanaatan Dharma; in other words: connecting (yog/sanjog) with the Higher Self ~ seeking communion (yog/sanjog) with the Universal Consciousness (Brahmn or Param-atma; Cosmic Light or Light Divine). This results in Self-realization ~ leading to the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of self-realization: Sat-cit-ānanda. This 'way of life' is performative and (therefore) is to be experienced. Thus, the central concepts of dharma and karm-yog eludes translation. [~ The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being - the highest authority of the universe - is the manifestation of the impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn (Universal Consciousness or Cosmic Light or Light Divine). Brahmn is OM or AUM. OM is also regarded as the Shabda Brahmn - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad - the sound of the universe itself; *Bhairava = the Primordial Sound (vak or vani). [Here is Tagore's 'Arup tomar Bani': link. He has incorporated it into our national anthem too.] OM or AUM - is very auspicious; the Cosmic Entity is Omswaroop, manifestation of Brahmn - OM or AUM. [For purposes of comprehension: e.g. Sri Krishn is a manifestation/transcendental avatar of the Cosmic Entity; he also possesses all 16 qualities of a Purna Avatar - one in whom divinity is manifested fully; therefore, he is Omswaroop; the words emanating from his mouth is thus Bhairava/Primordial sound or pranava naad/pranavah/Omkara.] ~ Thus, Advaita (monism), Dvaita (dualism) and Astika (theism). Unlike the rigorous monism (Advaita) of the Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita also integrates dualism (Dvaita) and theism (āstika). | The Swastika is part of Buddhism and Jainism as well.] | Note: Bhairava/Primordial sound or pranava naad/pranavah/Omkara probably was also known as 'daiva vani'. While 'aakash vani' perhaps was related to celestial events and/or the constellation Orion. BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] | Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or lunar mansion - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient; kaal or kaalah = time). The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation as Mriga/Mṛga (The Deer). ~ The term Mṛgaśira is a composite of two Sanskrit words, mṛga meaning animal (can also mean: deer) and śira meaning head or precisely, the top of the head. [~ The Indus 'Pasupati Seal' probably has something to do with this. | Our ancients seem to have been very familiar with the workings of the universe/cosmos.]

*BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] ~ Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kalabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (also spelled Mṛgaśira/Mrigashīrsha ~ November-December). On this day it is said that Lord Rudra-Śiva appeared on earth in the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava. | Kāla or kaalah = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the Shabda Brahmn - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - is very auspicious. The impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn is Cosmic Light or Light Divine (divine effulgence). The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is Omswaroop - manifestation of OM or AUM. (Refer the note on Rudra-Siva.)

The right-facing swastika (Sanskrit: Svastika) in the decorative form is used to evoke sacred force. ~ Shri Ganesh has the Swastika on his palm. The swastika is at times considered a symbolic representation of Shri Ganesh (Vignesh or Vighna-Vinashak - the remover of obstacles) and is hence offered first offerings in every puja. The swastika is made with red vermilion (prepared with natural ingredients) during rituals. | Shri Ganesh - represents a set of qualities: great retention power or vast intelligence (as symbolized by the elephant head - implying elephant's memory). The elephant-head: represents calm disposition, intelligence, perceptiveness, knowledge and wisdom. [The light of wisdom = Surya-Kotti Samaprabha; as radiant as a million Suns.] The big head = think big. The small eyes = concentration. The small mouth and the bent trunk (Vakra-Tunndda) = less noise, more efficiency (complete opposite of 'empty vessels makes the most noise'). The bent trunk indicates: one who is not given to boasting or talking unnecessarily; in other words: non-ignorant. The big elephant ears = great listening ability ('listening', and not merely 'hearing'). The single tusk = retaining the good and discarding the rest. Also: non-extravagant. The big body (Maha-Kaaya) = immense strength: to stop all obstacles - in the path of good deeds or actions. The large stomach = not constricted; digests or accepts everything (all that life has to offer) without being affected. The swift mooshika-vahana (the 'mooshika' or the mouse as 'vehicle') - represents: swiftness (obviously), but a mooshika finds its way through all kinds of terrains and tears down all sorts of obstacles (vighn) - with its sharp teeth. And since the mooshika is his 'vaahan' or vehicle - the latter remains under control and cannot take Shri Ganesh for a ride. In other words: lack of negative greed or avoidable desire. The parasu or axe = to strike down all obstacles in the path of good/positive/constructive deeds. The rope + lotus = to pull you closer to the goal + to pull you away from negative aspects, negative thinking, etc. [A lotus: grows in muddy water yet remains untouched by it (refer the relevant passages.)] The palm in abhaya mudra = blessings + reassurance. The tasty Modakas = the rewards/fruition of one's single-minded efforts [karm-yog.] All that Shri Ganesh symbolizes can achieve any goal or purpose: Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa. [~ When one prays to Shri Ganesh, one is essentially praying to be bestowed with all these traits or qualities so as to be able to surmount all odds and impediments and complete a good deed or task successfully - always (Sarvadaa). Hence, Shri Ganesh is worshiped before the commencement of any auspicious task. | Gan + esh = Ganesh. 'Gan' can indicate people (gana) or even good traits (guna). 'Esh' = the best of or the master of. | Note: Lord Buddha is depicted with large ears, while the similarity between Sri Ganesh and the Laughing Buddha is remarkable. Devi Sarasvati is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography.]

~ And, all this should help us understand who the Sri Ganesh who assisted Maharshi Vedavyasa to compile the 'Mahabharata' (originally titled: 'Jaya' - Victory) was. Sri Ganesh and Devi Sarasvati are non-different. [Vignesh or Vighna-Vinashak (the remover of obstacles) and Varadey Kaamarupinee (the fulfiller of wishes, Destiny or 'Lady Luck') are non-different.] Sri Ganesh is not a physical 'son' of Goddess Parvati. 'Gauri-tanaya' can also mean manifestation, personification or embodiment. Goddess Parvati and Goddess Sarasvati (the river goddess) are transcendental avatars of Goddess Adi Shakti - the Cosmic Entity. [Goddess Parvati's daughter is also named Sarasvati - but she is a namesake.] | Goddess Parvati (Devi Durga) and Goddess Sarasvati (the river goddess) are non-different. Here is the Sharada Maa Bhajan in Raag Bhairavi: link.  There is an Indus seal depicting the "Ashta-Matrika" or Ashta-Matara - Eight female Divinities. This seal depicts a goddess (standing in the arch of a peepal tree), wearing a headdress of bullhorns, with bangles on both arms; a devotee is kneeling before her. An animal, most likely a large ram, is facing her. Seven figures, wearing long dresses and bangles on their arms, are moving in a procession before her. ~ Very likely, the seven figures represent the "Sapta Matrikas" or the seven female Divinities. The central female figure is Devi Parvati (popularly known as Goddess Durga) ~ Together, they constitute the "Asta Matrikas" or the eight female Divinities. Some Indus glyphs are also seen. | Goddess Adi Shakti possesses the power of the cosmic phenomenon of Creation, and hence She is Brahma - the Creator. (Refer the Devi Mahatmyam stotra-s.) The River SarasvatI can (thus) also be referred to as Brahm-putri. [Brhm = wisdom, enlightenment; eternal knowledge - para vidya. Here, putri = manifestation, personification or embodiment.] Hence, Goddess SarasvatI - the river goddess - is also known as Brahmi or Brahmani ~ manifestation of Brhm. She is wisdom personified - the symbol of true/eternal/timeless knowledge - para vidya. ~ Devi Sarasvati represents intelligence, wisdom, consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education, culture, enlightenment, music, the arts, eloquence (persuasion/ vāk) and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. [Wisdom or enlightenment has no form by itself.] Sri Hayagriva [Haya = horse, griva = jaw] is the male equivalent of Devi Sarasvati... and may be considered as Brahm-putra. [Goddess Sarasvati is a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography. She is also worshipped in Bali and Japan.]

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~ The SarasvatI River is an important river goddess in the Rig Ved ~ whose banks served as fertile soil for the growth of ancient Vedic culture. In the Rig Veda, the SarasvatI is described with all the grandeur of a mighty and a very large river. ~ She is called 'the best of the rivers' (naditama). It seems to have been a great river with perennial water. Along the banks of the Sarasvati and the adjoining river basins lived our enlightened ancestors who developed a unique world-view blending material prosperity with spirituality and a scientific temper (knowledge, innovation and creativity). Spiritualism (not to be misconstrued for ritualism or religiofication) and contentment constituted the core of the accepted value system. The famous Pancha-janah (the five peoples), namely, the Purus, Anus, Druhyus, Yadus and Tursvasas (descendents of Raja Yayati) lived in the Sarasvati Valley before moving onto different places in various directions. ~ Yayati hailed from a Chandravanshi (lunar lineage/clan) i.e. moon-flag-bearing clan. | In the Rig Veda, the Anus are repeatedly identified with the ParuSNI river (Ravi), the central river of the Punjab, and the Purus (also known as the "Bharatas") are identified with the SarasvatI. | Raja Yayati, as we know, did away with primogeniture to crown his youngest-born, Puru, as the heir to his "existing" kingdom ~ i.e. the areas he ruled before he underwent stem-cell therapy. Thus, Puru ruled his kingdom in the Gangetic plain. BG 10.31: || srotasām asmi jāhnavī || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] ~ While, the other sons of Yayati - Yadu, Turvasu, Anu and Druhyu - subsequently settled in the "newer" areas (~ the ones Raja Yayati brought under his rule - during his "borrowed youth" ~ i.e. after his stem cell therapy.) ~ Puru, thus became the progenitor of the "Puruvansh" (also known as the "Bharatvansh"); and so his heirs came to be known as the "Bharatas". ~ The Pandavas and the Kauravas were Purus (or Bharatas). King Porus (Puru/Paurava/Parvateshvar) too hailed from the Puruvansh (Pauravas). ~ The all-conquering Alexander's career pretty much came to a halt... after his brief encounter with this mighty king of the Indus region. Krishn, on the other hand, was a Chandravanshi (lunar lineage/clan) - moon-flag-bearing Yadu: more precisely a Shurasena Yadu (Megasthenes' Sourasenoi) ~ a branch of the Yadu clan/kula. Therefore, the Shuracena Yadus can be identified with the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or Harivansh. The Sarakenoi or Saraceni (late Latin Saracēnus or late Greek Sarakēnos) could actually be the Shuracena Yadus, apart from the Vrishnis, that is. (Vasudev Krishn, the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka, is also known as Varshneya). | The Persians, on the other hand, can be fully identifiable with the Anus - descendents of Yayati's son, Anu, the particular Dasas (non-Purus) of the Rig Veda. A major Persian clan which is not named in the Rig Veda, but appears as a prominent Anu clan/kula in the Puranas and the epics is the Madrakas (also known as: Madras or Medes or Madai). [Madri hailed from this clan.] ~ The name Anu or Anava for the Persians appears to have survived even in later times: the country and the people in the very heart of Avestan land, to the immediate north of the Hamun-i Hilmand, were known, as late as Greek times, as the Anauon or Anauoi. | Yayati made Turvasu the ruler of the far western regions. The descendants of Turvasu were known as Turvasus, who founded Turvaski. Even the Tusharas (Tukharas, Tócharoi) are believed to be descendents of Turvasu. The Tushara country mentioned in the Mahabharata could be Turkmenistan, now a Central Asian Republic and/or the Turkistan of Afghanistan. | As for Druhyu, he and his descendents (the Druhyus) very likely settled in the areas that came under ancient Uruk (modern Iraq)... and perhaps had something to do with the Sumerian Civilization. [Devayani was the ancestress of the Yadus and Turvasus, while Sharmishtha was the ancestress of the Purus, Anus and Druhyus.] | The seven greatest capital cities of the Rama Empire/civilization were known in classical texts as The Seven Rishi Cities. Rishi (Sanskrit: ṛṣI) signifies enlightenment, wisdom and knowledge. ... So, were these Seven Rishi Cities knowledge hubs or thinking hub? Priest-Kings ("Great Teachers" or "Masters") who governed the cities were essentially Brahmana statesmen. [Brahmana implies erudition; can also be interpreted as enlightened persons with a broader view or outlook. Some of them belonged to the benevolent aristocracy of the Rama civilization. Today they are generally called "Priest-Kings". They were apparently men whose mental powers/intellect were of a degree that would seem incredible to most moderns. (Even Chanakya can be called a Brahmana statesman.)] | Ayodhya = unconquerable or eternal. "Ayodhya" comes from the root word "yudh" meaning "not to be fought". Ikshvaku or Ikhaku or Ikkhaku; Skt. Ifahvaku; Pali: OjcTcaka, Okkaka. | Ikshvaku (son of Vaivasvata Manu - the 7th and current Manu) is the founder/progenitor of the Ikshvaku (or Aikṣvāka) lineage - to which greats like Mandhata, Dilīpa, Bhagiratha, Raghu and Shri Ram belonged. The Rama Empire or the Ikshvaku dynasty/empire encompassed wide swathes of land, culture and 'way of life'. [Akkadian may be a variant of Ikshvaku.] ~ And, from what we can gather, the Maurya clan is believed to have been an offshoot of the Shakya clan - to which Shri Gautam Buddh belonged. The Shakya clan is in turn believed to be a tributary of the Ikshvaku clan - to which Shri Ram belonged. The Ikshvaku clan is also known as the Raghuvanshi lineage/Raghuvansh or Raghukula - after one of Shri Ram's illustrious ancestors, Raghu. The fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala is believed to have been the ashram/abode of Vamana ~ the seventh and current "Manu" - Vaivasvata Manu (also known as Surya and the father of Ikshvaku - the progenitor of the Ikshvaku lineage). ~ Born to Saranya and Vivasvat, his original name is Satyavrata. He saved humanity from the (previous) great flood/deluge (Mahajal Pralay) - by building specially-designed ships (nao) - as per the advise of the Matsya-Avatar. Noukeshwar is at best a title and means - Principal/Chief/Captain of the nao. (Here 'nao' or 'boat' indicates specially-designed-and-equipped-ship.) ~ Whether 'Noukeshwar' has been abbreviated/altered to 'Noah' (due to the passage of time + change in phonetics), and/or whether Satyavrat aka Vaivasvata Manu is also referred to as "Noah" or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. | The 'Harappan' or 'Indus-Sarasvati' civilization is a phase (marked by the rise, intensification, diversification and subsequent evolution of an urban process) within the much earlier, more extensive and more durable Vedic Civilization that still continues. The material and spiritual benefits the river SarasvatI brought to the people is immense. In the Rig Vedic times, it was a mighty river flowing from the mountains to the sea (giribhyah asamudrat). The abundance and tremendous force of its water had an enchanting impact on the minds of the poets who repeatedly described it as: 'abounding in waters' - maho-arnah; 'flowing rapidly' - pra-sasre; 'moving fautlessly' - akuvari; 'possessing unlimited strength' - yasyah amah ananto; 'roaring' - charati roruvat, and 'fierce' - ghora. Thus, the realistic picture in the Rig Veda is that of a mighty and highly glorified river named SarasvatI descending from the Himalayas. ~ The river disappeared at a place called Vinasana (literally 'disappearance'), though many believe it still flows below the ground. [Here is Tagore's 'Ogo Nadi Apon Bege': link.]

The River SarasvatI is described as 'the purest of all rivers' (nadinam suchiryati) and 'auspicious'. ~ Nahushas, descendents of Nahusha, on whom the Sarasvati had poured her grace and blessings. [Yayati was son of king Nahusha.] Pancha-janah (the five peoples), that is, Anus, Druhyus, Yadus, Turvasas and Purus, whose welfare the Sarasvati had increased. (refer previous paragraph.) ~ The material and spiritual benefits the River SarasvatI brought to the people is reflected in several epithets attributed to her, for example: 'rich in grains' (Vajinivati); 'strong in wealth and power' (vajeshu vajini) and 'promoter of the welfare of the five peoples' (panchajata vardhayanti). | While Panis, the 'churlish - thinking only of themselves' whom the Sarasvati consumed; Paravatas, who were destroyed by the Sarasvati, and Brisyas, whom the Sarasvati rooted out. | The Indus Unicorn Seals depict a one-horned horse. [One-horned = ekashringa. Even Sri Ganesh is depicted with a single tusk.] It is imagery - to denote rarity or uniqueness. The Cosmic Entity is vishama (unequaled); atulah (incomparable); ekah (the one); naikah (the many); ekaatmaa (the one self); asankhyeyah (with countless names and forms); shoorah-veerah (the valiant); vikramee (the most daring); saattvikah (one who is full of saatvic or noble traits and qualities); kartaa (the doer); maargah (the path); neyah (the guide); keshavah (one whose rays illumine the cosmos, and one who is the three: kah Brahma, ah Vishnu and Isa Shiva-Rudra); vishvam (one who is the universe); Vishvaroopa (one whose body/form is the Universe - the Universal Form - the Viraat-roop); Vishvaatma (Soul of the Universe - guiding spirit); vanamaalee (one who wears a garland of forest flowers); sragvee (one who always wears a garland of undecaying flowers) and Mayur (the Lord Who Has A Peacock Feathered-Crest). All of which is applicable to Krishn as well. [The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is also: aadidevah (the first devah); mahaadevah (the great devah); deveshah (the Lord of all devas) and adhaataa (above whom there is no other).] ~ However, a closer look at the unicorn seals reveals a body reminiscent of a horse as well as that of a cow. So, the unicorn could be denoting Devi Sarasvati too - Varadey Kaamarupinee or kamadhenu (the fulfiller of wishes, Destiny or 'Lady Luck'). ~ Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda. BG 10.28: || dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk || ~ "among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as kamadhenu - the "wish-fulfilling cow" ~ possibly a metaphor for prosperity, luck, etc.) | The Indus seal depicting a three-headed composite animal figure is the seal of Vasudev Krishn - the Lord of Dvarka. The three-heads are: bull (Vrishabha), unicorn (ekashringa horse) and antelope (mṛga). The symbolism associated with the unicorn: rarity and uniqueness; bull: in Sanaatan Dharmic thought, dharma/justice is denoted by the bull (Vṛṣabha). Vrisha Uttamam means Supreme Judge; Vrishaakritih = dharma personified. Antelope: deer. Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira): the 5th nakṣatra or lunar mansion - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient). The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation as Mriga (The Deer). | The Indus glyphs also indicate matsya and kurma, besides other symbols such as: peepal tree, peepal leaves, crocodile, parasu, chakra, peacock, eagle, conch-shell, arrow and Swastika.

The Indus (River Sindhu), on the other hand, issues from a lion's mouth. Hence this river is called Sinh ka bab ~ the lion's gate or mouth. ~ The once-mighty River Indus, it is said, originates from the mouth of a lion (Senge Khabab or "Lion's Mouth") - a perennial spring - in Tibet. (Possibly a mountain snout shaped like a lion's mouth.) Thus, it is also called Sengge Tsangpo or 'Lion River'. This river is a common lifeline, and symbolically binds the people of more than one nation. Few rivers in the world flow through as stunning a landscape as the Sindhu (River Indus). It flows through plains, villages, hamlets and towns, as well as by valleys, gorges and peaks of countless hues. [Sindhu is Sanskrit for the River Indus. "Sindhu" means river, stream or ocean in Sanskrit.] BG 10.24: || sarasam asmi sagarah || ~ "and of bodies of water I am the ocean." ~ "Hindu" is simply the variant of Sindhu (~ the mighty River Indus, perhaps the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile - Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel.)  

Note: Tibet is 'Tripishtaka' or 'Trivistaka' in Sanskrit, meaning: the land of the Devas (an ancient clan or people) to the north of the Himalayas. ~ So, was Tibet (Tripishtaka or 'Trivistaka) part of the ancient Himalayan kingdom ~ ruled over by Goddess Parvati's father, Himavat (also known as Himavant - the ruler of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient India and the personification of the Himalayan mountains)? ... And this perhaps explains why Goddess Parvati is also known as 'Himalaya-putri'. [Putri = daughter. Can also be interpreted as personification, manifestation or embodiment.] BG 10.25: || sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ || ~ "and of immovable things I am the Himalayas." | The image of India is in the image of Goddess Parvati (popularly known as Goddess Durga.) She is Rudra-Siva. BG 10.23: || rudranam sankaras casmi || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-Śiva] ~ There are eleven Rudras, of whom Rudra-Siva, is preeminent ~ Goddess Parvati/Durga Herself. Rudra-Siva is also an honorific - for the manifestations or transcendental avatars of the Cosmic Entity (Goddess Adi Shakti) - due to their karm and contribution. Goddess Adi Shakti is also Rudra-Siva - since she possess the power of the cosmic phenomenon of dissolution; therefore, She is Nataraj. | The jata (dredlocks) represent the Sivaliks - part of the Himalayan ranges. BG 10.25: || sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ || ~ "and of immovable things I am the Himalayas." The gushing Ganga emerges from these mountains through the snout known as Gomukh. BG 10.31: || srotasām asmi jāhnavī || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." The tiger-skin represents her valiant nature; it could also be an allegory for the River Indus. (refer the previous paragraph.) The smurf-blue colour - refer 'Meghavarnam'. Trishul could be a reference to a group of three Himalayan mountain peaks. Or it could be an allegory for the three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati. Or both. [The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Sarasvati is known as Triveni Sangam or Prayag. Triveni and Trishul; tri = three.] The crescent moon represents lunar mansion. For the crescent moon affixed to the jata of Rudra-Siva - we have to consider BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December]". ~ Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kalabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (also spelled Mṛgaśira/Mrigashīrsha ~ November-December). On this day it is said that Lord Rudra-Śiva appeared on earth in the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava. | Sri = respectful honorific. Kāla or kaalah = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the Shabda Brahmn - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - is very auspicious. The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is Omswaroop - manifestation of OM or AUM. (Also refer the note on Rudra-Siva.) | Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira): the 5th nakṣatra or lunar mansion - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient). ~ The first two carana/pada (quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha Rāśi or Taurus (bull). [In Sanaatan Dharmic thought, dharma/justice is denoted by the bull (Vṛṣabha). Vrisha Uttamam means Supreme Judge. The two Indus Yogi Seals - depicting two figures seated in a yogic posture and wearing a headdress of bull-horn, represent Vrisha Uttamam - the Supreme Judge.] The latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi (Gemini). | Gemini - the twins, but that is not literal. ~ This should also help us understand what the syncretic form of Rudra-Siva and Shakti is all about. Rudra-Siva and Shakti are non-different. | Nestled amidst the Himalayas are the Kalasha or Kalash people. ... And though they are thought to be descendents of Alexander’s army ~ due to their distinct appearance, customs, language and 'way of life', yet, even a cursory study of their culture indicates otherwise. [No wonder Goddess Parvati/Durga is referred to as 'Gauri' - the radiant one.] | The Kalasha are agro-pastoral people who live in tune with nature, surrounded by lush green fields and natural springs. Their houses are constructed on solid stone foundation, but the walls are made of wooden planks - fashioned out of the Deodar tree. [Deodar is anglicized. In Sanskrit, it is known as devadāru, which means "wood of the devas", a compound of deva (very likely, the ancient Deva people) and dāru (wood, etym. tree).] ~ They adhere to a tradition based on ancestor worship, and believe in a single, creator God, though different Kalasha places of worship are incorrectly understood to be places of worship for separate and distinct Kalasha deities. The Kalash do not have any routine daily prayers. They pray whenever they initiate any activities like harvesting, ploughing and construction + whenever the favour and honour of that single, creative God is needed. Most prayers are offered during Kalasha festivities. [Indrain is probably an altar dedicated to and/or named after Indra - a 'title' for the Ruler/King/Chief of the ancient Deva people. Maybe the 'Indra' was a chieftain under Himavat/Himavant - the ruler of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient India.] ~ The Kalash people worship 'Mahandeo' ~ possibly a variant of 'Mahadev'. [Mahadev is a reference to Rudra-Siva ~ which would mean Goddess Parvati herself. ~ She is Kailashpati (Ruler/Chief of Kailash) as well as Shambhu Nath - the Ruler (Nath) and Guardian of Shambhala ~ also considered to be the real Haridvar, the actual Manas Sarovara, Prayag, Kailash and Rishikesh or 'Agni Tirtha'. It is a land of immortals. But Kailashpati could also mean: Chief of the Kalasha people ~ part of the ancient Deva clan/people. | The ancient Himalayan kingdom probably consisted of wide swathes of land - along the entire stretch of the Himalayan ranges; and so, Goddess Parvati/Durga and her many forms, like Vaishno Devi, Devi Katyayani, Devi Varahi, Devi Narasimhi, Devi Chamunda, Devi Brahmi or Brahmani (goddess Sarasvati) et al is worshipped. ~ Maybe, the eastern regions of modern India too were part of the ancient Himalayan kingdom, and so, Devi Durga is widely worshipped and even considered as a daughter in these parts. Durga Puja is treated as the Goddess' homecoming. Even Himachal Pradesh is 'Devabhoomi' - abode of the Deva people.] | The Kalasha myths and beliefs centre on the relationship between the human soul and the universe. This relationship, according to Kalash mythology, manifests itself in music and dance. In their festivals, music and dance are performed not only for entertainment, but also as a ritual. The Kalash celebrate four major festivals commemorating seasonal change and significant events in agro-pastoral life. These festivals are 'Joshi' or 'Chilimjusht', 'Uchal', 'Phoo' ('Pul' festival - pũ. from pūrṇa, purnima - full moon - in Sept.) and 'Chowmos'. They celebrate these festivals by cooking traditional meals and dancing to traditional music during the week-long events. The festival of 'Joshi' is for spring harvest, and lasts 4-6 days in mid-May and the 'Uchao' festival in August celebrates the pre-harvest with cheese, corn and wine. The 'Choimus' in mid-December for the winter solstice is the most impressive, lasting 10 days. The most important Kalash festival is the Chowmos/Choimus/Chawmos (cawmōs, ghona chawmos yat, Khowar "chitrimas" from *cāturmāsya), which is celebrated for two weeks during winter solstice (c. Dec. 7-22), at the beginning of the month chawmos mastruk. It marks the end of the year's fieldwork and harvest. It involves much music, dancing and feasting. [And, aren't were familiar with the concept of Chaturmaas? Or even Chaitra - associated with the coming of Spring, since Holi, the spring festival of colour, is celebrated on the eve of Chaitra (namely, the last day of Phalgun month)? BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring".] Durga Puja is also held in the spring season, it is known as Basanti Puja. Basanti comes from Basanta or Spring. It is believed that Shri Ram invoked the goddess in the month of Ashvina (Ashvin/Asvayuja/Autumn) before his battle with Ravana to seek her blessings; it was an untimely invocation - akal bodhan. Since it is held in the month of autumn, this puja is known as Sharadutsab or Sharadiya Puja - autumnal worship. | The Kalash believe that a new sun is born on December 21 (winter solstice) and that the new sun affects the flora and fauna of the land. [~ We celebrate Makara Sankranti or Pongal; but many people conflate Makara Sankranti (Uttarayan) with the Winter Solstice (which falls on December 21/22). BG 10.31: || jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś cāsmi || ~ "I am the crocodile among the fishes" ~ is a reference to Makara Sankranti. A crocodile can be associated with patience and precision, but the crocodile allegory can also be indicative of a chieftain.] The Kalasha way of life is finely balanced, allowing both men and women to do their duties freely. The Kalasha society is not a male-dominated one, their social organization is very effective, and ensures there is no cruelty or discrimination based on issues of gender. The Kalash society is optimistic. Crows represent the ancestors, and are frequently fed. The rituals is basically, though not always, temple-less, involving fire, sacred wood, three circumambulations, and the *hotṛ (indicating fire-ritual). | Thus, despite the passage of time, we can clearly find traces of their ancient and original way of life. ... And it isn't much different from what we do. So much for myths involving Alexander.

Bharatavarsha means: the continent (Sanskrit: continent = 'varsha') that is dedicated (Sanskrit: dedicated = 'rata') to light, wisdom (Sanskrit: wisdom = 'bha'). ~ Bharatavarsha or Bharatadesam also means, "cherished land". (However, it is unlikely that the contours of modern India constituted ancient Bharatvarsha.) ~ Yet another name for ancient India is  Jambudveepa or Jambadveepa. [Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry.] So, maybe, there was an abundance of this tree (obviously a much different version of what we find now) ~ and hence the name. Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu or Jambul (Indian blackberry) trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an Indian blackberry. ~ Now whether the contours of modern India constituted ancient Jambudveepa or not - my guess is as good as yours.

Devi Sarasvati represent the divine forces in play in the growth, expansion and evolution of the Universe. This aspect of the growth of the Universe is thus steeped with the knowledge of all that has transpired since the moment of Creation and continues to drive the further evolution of the Universe. This driving force of knowledge is called as the divinity Sarasvati as it is a knowledge that continues to flow through the expanse of the cosmos gracefully and incessantly like waves. [Saras means gracefully flowing.] This knowledge power forms the root for all forms of knowledge, speech, skill, arts, fine arts, craft etc. Sarasvati is therefore the divinity that promotes the development of all of these capabilities in mankind, society and civilization. 

Devi Sarasvati represents intelligence, wisdom, consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education (not limited to text-bookish knowledge), culture, enlightenment, music, the arts, eloquence (persuasion/ vāk) and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Goddess Sarasvati is intrinsically associated with flowing water in her role as a goddess of knowledge (not transient/apara vidya though; hence she holds a lotus - the symbol of true/eternal/timeless knowledge - para vidya). She is wisdom personified. ~ In the Rig Ved, Sarasvati is a river as well as its personification as a goddess. | Veda = The Book of Knowledge/The Book of Enlightenment. Veda (meaning wisdom, knowledge) comes from the root "vid" - to know. Veda has in turn given rise to "Vidya", which also means: knowledge. | The wisdom of the Panchatantra, Hitopadesha, Jataka tales and Jain tales are universal and timeless, hence they too can be called para vidya - non-transient. 

Knowledge or education does not have a narrow or linear definition. It is not confined to mechanical thinking or regurgitation; it is not bookish or armchair theories (transient or apara vidya) either. It involves intellectual pursuits and intellectual curiosity (as opposed to rote-learning). Knowledge is likely to be wasted if it exists in a wisdom vacuum/void. BG 10.22: || indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana || ~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the living force" ~ (cetana, consciousness; consciousness and conscience are two different things; consciousness [cetana] is awareness, sentience - the ability to feel, think, perceive, comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition/perception. If the mind/intellect is dulled, there is a cascading effect - the consciousness (ability to think, perceive, comprehend etc too gets dulled. ~ This can be applicable to a civilization too.) | Creativity and innovation is also part of knowledge and education, and these are not confined to textbooks alone; knowledge can also be passed on from one generation to the next - minus formal schools or text-books - one can even learn via osmosis; therefore, e.g. an agriculturist or a horticulturist or someone who is involved in animal husbandry, or even a sculptor, an artisan or craftsman is not devoid of knowledge or education. Even people with automobile and electrical or electronics engineering degrees depend on technicians, mechanics (mistri) and handymen. In earlier times, kusalavyas (wandering poets) too were greatly respected - since they disseminated stories from our ancient heritage and history through songs, couplets and the like. There was dignity of labour and skill; e.g. we marvel at the town-planning feats of the ancient Indus engineers, however, there would also have been a multitude of labourers to accomplish or give shape to this feat. [The Indian Civilization (Indus-Sarasvati Civilization or 'Aryavarsha') was a knowledge-based culture/civilization that was also attuned to economic activity. ~ So (probably) skill-building/development, vocational training, etc too received due attention, alongside what we now understand as primary education.] ~ True knowledge (para vidya), education and wisdom is also the ability to eschew perfunctoryness, finger-pointing, mechanical thinking, and the like and to do non-linear thinking; to have a broader vision, to take a wholesome view of issues and to emerge with holistic solutions. [Something that both Krishn and Chanakya possessed. ~ Krishn vs the Kauravas + Krishn vs Jarasandh and allies (anti-Krishn) were key turning points, they put things on the road to recovery. Similarly, Chanakya vs Dhana Nanda breathed new life and energy into ancient India. ~ The matsya (the fish) - swims against the tide/flow despite all odds (and blazes a trail for others to follow), matsya is Neelkanth (soaking up bile and negativism, thereby making the journey - since there are no instant solutions - easier for others; it is work-in-progress, and if it also involves perception and mindset changing it takes time), matsya never rises to the bait. The swan (hamsah) is not ignorant; the swan possess the ability to separate the water from the cream (in milk) - symbolizing the need to differentiate between the positive and the negative, between the enduring and the transient (trivia); the swan thus is able to see and comprehend the larger picture/canvas/vision and prioritize accordingly. 'Coz putting the cart before the horse doesn't help.] | There is no indication (in our ancient texts) that our ancients arrived at uniform solutions based on abstract figures and statistics. [It is more likely that they were unaware of what statistical figures meant. Parameters and yardsticks (and perhaps even terminology and nomenclature) that is applicable to other civilizations or newer cultures or relatively homogeneous cultures or small/smaller nations or even larger nations with smaller populations, may not work w.r.t India - a nation where high-end phones, IT/BT, plasma television sets, space research and allopathy coexist with radio, type-writer, bullock-carts, village fairs/melas and ayurveda/homeopathy; a nation whose geography incorporates deserts, mountains, valleys, plains and what-not.] | Tagore's vision was to take on a more holistic attitude towards understanding the dynamic spirit of his time (and beyond). ~ He also felt that the West should be capable of "imparting to the East what is best in herself, and of accepting in a right spirit the wisdom that the East has stored for centuries."] ~ India has never been a monolith with a homogeneous culture and peoples; India has always been a kaleidoscope with complex population demographics, mindset, worldview and unique regional dynamics. [Tagore envisioned a parallelism - the parallelism of welding together into one body various peoples (~ and this is reminiscent of the Universal Form of the Primordial.)] Therefore, what could be applicable to some parts/regions may not work or be applicable to others. Besides, each region have had their own history and geographical and evolutionary aspects... and therefore, disparate dynamics. [Even in modern India, arid and difficult landscape have fueled mercantile energy; mountainous regions have given a hardy people; a mixed landscape have nourished agro-based functions and artisanship, while lush-greenery have nurtured literature, art, creativity, innovation and other intellectual pursuits (besides agro-based activities and artisanship).] | Ancient India was also the seat of learning - due to research and innovation in multiple areas. And this attracted seekers of knowledge from far and wide. The decline of Takshashila marked the decline in Indian education, thought and structure. Fewer and fewer knowledge-seekers, students and travelers made the trip to India. | Tagore advised that it is important for a nation/people to develop herself from within, instead of merely adopting (relying upon) Western or borrowed methods; 'coz borrowing other people's history will not be enduring. ~ There is an anecdote involving Tenali Rama or Tenali Ramakrishna - the great wit. ~ Tenali Rama prayed to the Goddess. After a while She appeared before him - carrying a bowl of milk (representing wealth) and a bowl of curd (representing wisdom). She asked him to choose. Tenali Rama (very intelligently) mixed the contents of the two bowls and drank it. The goddess, impressed with him, blessed him with wealth and wisdom.

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Megasthenes' Herakles was not the classical Greek deity per se. ~ During his travels (as the ambassador of the Seleucids) during the reign of Samraat Chandragupta Maurya of the Maurya Empire/Dynasty... Megasthenes came upon an Indian deity, a fascinating figure... and equated him with the classical Greek divinity - Herakles. This Herakles was none other than Krishn or Hari-Krishna. Megasthenes also described an Indian clan called Sourasenoi, who especially worshipped 'Herakles' in their land, and this land had two cities, Methora and Kleisobora, and a navigable river, the Jobares. ... As was common in the ancient period, the Greeks sometimes described foreign deities/gods in terms of their own divinities, and there is little doubt that the 'Sourasenoi' refers to the Shurasenas or Shurasena Yadus ~ a branch of the Yadu clan/kula. Therefore, the Shuracena Yadus can be identified with the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or Harivansh. [The Sarakenoi or Saraceni (late Latin Saracēnus or late Greek Sarakēnos) could actually be the Shuracena Yadus, apart from the Vrishnis, that is. Vasudev Krishn, the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka, is also known as Varshneya.] | ~ Quintus Curtius also mentions that when Alexander confronted King Porus (Puru or Raja Paurava/Parvateshvar)... Porus' soldiers were carrying an image of 'Herakles' in their vanguard. ~ The all-conquering Alexander's career pretty much came to a halt... after his brief encounter with this mighty king of the Indus region. [Sindhu is Sanskrit for the River Indus. "Sindhu" means river, stream or ocean in Sanskrit.] BG 10.24: || sarasam asmi sagarah || ~ "and of bodies of water I am the ocean." [The Greeks however had some success ruling as kings in north-western cities such as the one in Takshashila... the decline of which marked the decline in Indian education, thought and structure. However, the so-called Macedonian empire in the east lasted less than ten years after the invasion.]

"Persia" very likely evolved from "Parshva" (meaning: 'next door', 'neighbouring' or 'nearby'). The Rig Vedic Parsus or Parsavas has been anglicized to Persians. So, maybe, the ancient Indus people (refer relevant passages on the etymology of the word "Hindu") called the people of the first/neighbouring port by the Sanskrit word "Parshva". ~ Did the ancient Persians in turn (also) refer to the ancient Indus people and/or those living to the east of them as "Prachya" (meaning: 'Eastern' or Eastern Country) - the Greek Praesii or Prasioi? ~ my guess is as good as yours.

Krishn founded the city of Pataliputra - 138 generations before the reign of Samraat Chandragupta Maurya. (The despotic Nandas' reign ended ~ after Chanakya outmaneuvered Dhana Nanda and his allies.) | Now, was this Pataliputra (founded by Krishn) Palibothra or Palimbothra to the Greeks? That is: was this Pataliputra, Megasthenes' Palibothra? Was the Greek Praesii or Prasioi ~ "Prachya" or 'Eastern Country'? ... Praesii or Prasioi is said to have been very prosperous ~ the capital being Palibothra, a very large, industrious and wealthy city, after which the people themselves were known as Palibothri. Apparently, Palibothra was located (from the north-west) before the Ganges-Yamuna confluence. ... But modern Patna lies southeast of the confluence. ~ So, is this 'Ganga' a reference to the river or is it a metaphor? More likely the latter. Maybe it is a reference to ancient India. BG 10.31: || srotasām asmi jāhnavī || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." || So, was Praesii (of the Greeks) actually Prachya, which in Sanskrit means 'Eastern country', the capital of which was the Pataliputra built by Krishn - 138 generations before Chandragupta Maurya? Was Praesii or Prasioi (of the Greeks) - East to the ancient Persians? ~ Therefore, were there two Magadh-s ~ which has resulted in much confusion? ~ Megasthenes' Palibothra (the Pataliputra built by Krishn) may not have been located in the eastern parts of modern India. Alexander did not cross the Indus region, and so, could not have gone all the way to the eastern parts of modern India to battle with Chandragupta Maurya. | So, what areas did Megasthenes refer to by the city of Palibothra, the country of Praesii and the river Erannoboas? ... Megasthenes was reasonably familiar with the places he visited in ancient India. Apparently, "The Indus skirts the frontiers of Praesii". ... But there is no River Indus in the eastern parts of modern India. ~ According to Classical accounts the river Jomanes flows through Palibothra into the Ganges between the towns of Methora (Mathura) and Carisobaras. ~ So, this Methora (Mathura) was very likely part of Prachya - Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks). But what is meant by Carisobaras? River Sarasvati? Or River Chandrabhaga (Chenab)? Here, Jomares (Yamuna) is very likely a metaphor. It could not have been the river by the same name ~ since the river Yamuna is part of the Madhyadesa or Middle Country region (of the Mahabharata times). | There is the country of Prabhadraka, Prabhadra or Palibhadra/Paribhadra, (part of Madhyadesa from the Mahabharata times). There is also reference to a king called Chandraketu (as the head of the Prabhadraka Kshatriyas). Was this Chandraketu the Sandrokottas of the Greek accounts? But Prachya - Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks) could not have been part of Madhyadesa (Middle Country). Also, who then was Sandrokyptos? Who was Sasicottus? And who was Xandramas? | Apparently, Magadha (the Prachya, "Easterners," Greek, Prasioi) had attained a dominating position. ... Therefore, it appears that there were two Magadha-s: One on the eastern parts of modern India (consisting of eastern U.P., Bihar, possibly Jharkhand, Bengal, Assam and Odisha) and the other on the western parts of ancient India. [~ Two countries bearing the same name was not unusual, though. There were two Kamboja-s (actually three, if we consider Kambuja Desa or modern Cambodia).] | So, in all likelihood, Chanakya, the Mauryas, the Nandas and later the Guptas were associated with this Magadha - the one on the western parts of ancient India ~ i.e. Prachya, Eastern Country; Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks. Even Jarasandha was associated with this Magadh (Prachya/ Praseii or Prasioi to the Greeks). | After the great dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity, for a prosperous and vibrant society) - this Magadha became the foremost of ancient kingdoms with the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the Ganges (~ this 'Ganges' could be a reference to ancient India). BG 10.31: || srotasām asmi jāhnavī || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] Did Lothal have anything to do with the port city? ~ The Nandas and Mauryas ruled this kingdom. And even the Guptas. ~ The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that spanned far and wide. | For the Maurya Chandragupta to have fought the Greeks all the way from the eastern parts of modern India (the other Magadha, that is) is quite far-fetched, especially given the time and logistics involved - equipment, cavalry, elephants, provisions, other paraphernalia and so on. | The etymology of Pataliputra is unclear. "Putra" means son, and "pāţali" is a species of rice or the plant Bignonia suaveolens. However, given that Krishn was a manifestation of Bhairava - the Primordial sound, this name may have evolved from Patal Bhairava.

Chanakya was a Brahmana, implying erudition.  [~ A "Brahmana" was someone who trod in the path of knowledge - Brahmacharya. [Brhm refers to knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment. Goddess Sarasvati is also known as Devi Brahmi or Brahmani.] Brahmacharya does not indicate celibacy. That is mistranslation. The Vedic Rishis and Rishikas were not required to be celibate. It was a matter of choice, not compulsion. In Sanaatan Dharma there is no such thing as compulsion or straitjacketing. It is a 'way of life'.] | Chanakya is also addressed by two honorifics: Pandit and Acharya. ~ "Pandit" indicates a wise, learned and enlightened person. "Acharya" means: "He who instructs through his own behavior (acharan)". That is the mark of a true teacher/guru. His father, Rishi Canak, too was a teacher/professor, and hence was also known as Acharya Canak. Chanakya means: son of Canak. [Rishi or Rishika is an honorific indicating erudition.] | The 'sikha' (also called 'shikha') is a Sanskrit word that refers to a long tuft, or lock of hair left on the top or on the back of the shaven head of a male Brahmana (erudite or learned person). However, traditionally, all males were required to wear a 'sikha', yet, today it is seen mainly amongst temple priests. The 'sikha' is tied back or knotted during the performance of rites or ceremonies. Only funerals and death anniversaries are performed with the 'sikha' tuft untied. | Maurya comes from 'Moriya' or 'Mura'. [Pali: Mora.] It is derived from 'Mor' meaning, peacock. With time Moriya/Mura became 'Maurya'. The Moriya were peacock-feather gatherers and Chandragupta's mother hailed from this clan. There is some indication that she was the daughter of a village headman, others indicate that she was the chief attendant (dasi) of the despotic Dhana Nanda (and that the latter sired Chandragupta); this makes Chandragupta a 'dasi-putra'. (Though some versions state that he belonged to a minor clan - the Moriya or Mura, and that his father was the chief of a forest area called Pippatavana/Pippalivana.) It is also believed that the Mura/Moriya clan was an offshoot of the Shakya clan - to which Prince Siddharth, later Shri Gautam Buddh, belonged. | The Sanskrit language has no equivalent for a slave. [Das/Dasi = attendant.] | Even the celebrated Gupta emperors came from humble origins as did the Nandas. Dhana Nanda (son of Mahapadma Nanda) was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty. Dhana Nanda was of course despised on account of his meanness and unscrupulous nature and the wickedness of his disposition.

Some accounts indicate that Chanakya was a "Dramila". Now, "Dramila" means, "running away" or "escaping". It is possible that this word was used (by our ancients) to refer to the people who escaped the great deluge that swallowed up Dvarka (Dvaravati). Later, these displaced people settled down in other parts. Chanakya probably was born into one such family. | "Dramila" is believed to be the root of the word "Dravida" by some scholars. Therefore, perhaps with the passage of time, this word - Dramila - underwent certain changes, and gave rise to a new word, "Dravida". ~ It is not indicative of 'race'. The Indian Civilization (the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization) is 'Aryavarsha' (~ abode of the Arya people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble, noble-natured or people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values. Varsha = continent, in Sanskrit). | There are multiple opinions about Chanakya's birthplace. According to Buddhist texts, his birthplace was Takshashila - located in north-western ancient India; he attended the famed university at the age of sixteen. The university offered courses spanning a period of more than eight years. So prominent was the place where Chanakya received his education that it goes to show the making of the genius. After acquiring vast knowledge in various branches of study, the young Chanakya... believing in the dissemination of knowledge and not in the storage of it, became a professor (acharya) of economics and political science at the ancient Takshashila University. His students looked up to him as an ideal teacher who inspired and exemplified great knowledge. | Chanakya's life was connected to two cities: Takshashila and Pataliputra (Megasthenes' Palibothra - refer the passages above). This Pataliputra (originally built by Krishn) was the capital of the Magadha kingdom on the western regions of ancient India (it was also known as Prachya or Eastern Country; Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks). This Pataliputra was connected to Takshashila by Uttarapatha, the northern high road of commerce. | Chanakya was still a teacher (acharya) at the Takshashila University when certain seminal geo-political events took place. Gandhara Republic (it was an important kingdom and probably consisted much of ancient/Vedic Upaganasthan, meaning: land [sthan] of the allied clans) was unable to come out of the shock of the comprehensive defeat at the hands of the province of Porus, when a new contingency loomed over Takshashila. Thousands of refugees poured into Takshashila - as a result of the widespread attacks by the armies of Alexander. Faced with this sudden influx, important and influential personalities decided to extend shelter to the refugees on humanitarian grounds. Accordingly, a stretch of land outside Takshashila was allotted to them. This incident was (however) just a precursor to a series of events which reverberated across ancient India - as a result of the attacks of Alexander. At such a time, Chanakya responded to the call of duty ~ to salvage the situation and save the country from the onslaught of the invaders. [Alexander was not Arya. The Greeks were regarded as Yavana. ~ Yavana indicates a people who are reasonably cultured, knowledgeable, great builders and architects, and yet... indulge in un-Aryan (ignoble) behaviour like slave-taking, buying and selling of humans in markets, plunder and pillage, misbehaviour with women, and so on. | Mlechcha, on the other hand, implies uncivilized or savage.] ~ Chanakya left Takshashila University for Patliputra, (Megasthenes' Palibothra) ~ which paved the way for watershed changes in the politics of ancient India and Patliputra. A masterful political strategist, he was an ace at turning tables irrespective of the circumstances. Praised for his profound political wisdom, diplomacy in a politically charged environment also shows his long-term thinking and clarity of vision, besides the ability to stay calm in trying situations. | Chanakya is also known as 'Kaultilya' - the wily one (for his guiles). However, Vishnugupt probably is a different person ~ possibly a redactor of the original work of Kautilya.

~ Issues are not one-dimensional or simplistic, and therefore, there are or have been no instant or simplistic solutions either. This has been the norm. Statecraft/kutniti/politics has never been played out between or involved upright, high-minded and righteous souls... simply because the dynamics of human nature is different. [And, this includes the nature, mindset and worldview of the general populace too. Or, at least, a large chunk of it. 'Coz statecraft/kutini/politics does not exist in a vacuum/void or in isolation. It involves interaction and social dynamics. The mindset or worldview of the people shapes the social conditions. The general populace has never quite been upright, righteous souls, themselves. Therefore, statecraft/kutniti/politics have always involved dealing with a multitude of emotions. In a diverse nation like India that is self-explanatory.] Reciprocity (or some kind of barter system) has always been the norm. (~ The intensity, though, may have differed from era/yug to era/yug.) ~ And yet, Krishn, Chanakya and even Shri Ram or even the Mauryans and the Guptas have been statesmen, not mere politicians (~ 'coz their motives have not been selfish or self-serving). They were not only clear about what needed to be done, but also (most importantly) were clear about how to go about it. It is here that their sagacity/prudence, astuteness, foresight, superior intelligence and wiles and guiles came into good use. (refer the passage on Yug Purush.) ~ Their decisions, words and deeds were based on a rational analysis of the situation... factoring in long-term aspects. They prudently eschewed short-term considerations or ad hoc-ism (~ their actions were essentially a means to the broader vision, the  bigger picture/canvas - the larger goals/objectives, not personal glory). | Neither Krishn nor Chanakya were up against well-intentioned and upright, righteous souls. Nor was the prevalent society perfect. On the contrary, it was fractious; besides people were either too self-centred or too aloof to even protest. Things were simply spiraling out of control. ~ But, how did Chanakya generate the funds that was necessary to fructify his vision? How did Krishn do it? How did he generate the funds to rebuild the city of Dvarka (after the relentless attacks by Jarasandh on Mathura/Megasthenes' Methora)? We don't quite know. ~ Maybe the motives, purposes, goals and objectives, contributions, opportunities and momentum created were what mattered and therefore gained primacy, not the means. And so, the concept of 'lotus palm' and 'lotus feet' - the dharmic freedom of inner detachment... and the analogies regarding the lotus (which grows in muddy water and yet remains pristine) and the swan - whose feathers do not get damp despite remaining in water. Both metaphors indicate a real karm-yogi, a nishkama karm-yogi - such a karm-yogi is called hamsah - the swan.] | Also, we find the system of 'utkoch'; this word could be interpreted as 'ghus' (in modern terminology). ~ Perhaps our ancients interpreted it as 'gift' or reward or consideration - for services rendered. The 'utkoch' probably varied depending on the matters, issues and services provided. ~ So, did our ancients prudently accept human nature, societal dynamics as well as the nature and dynamics of statecraft/kutniti/politics besides commercial and mercantile activities? ['Coz commercial functions and statecraft/kutniti/politics have never been mutually exclusive; they have always been part of the same ecosystem. Power-brokers and middlemen have always existed.] ~ So, did such a rational and prudent world-view (instead of an utopian or rhetorical one) in turn lead to the streamlining and smooth functioning of administrative and commercial matters, instead of avoidable logjams, stagnation and bottlenecks? 'Coz our ancient texts don't seem to be over-flowing with stories or anecdotes about 'bribery', and the like. [~ However, it is unlikely that people would have been drastically different.] Chanakya was prescient and pithy: "It's just as difficult to detect an official's dishonesty as it is to discover how much water is drunk by the swimming fish". [This can be applied w.r.t the general populace as well.] Even the wise Nasreddin Hodja advised that one must understand the nature of the beast before trying to tame it. This is timeless wisdom. ~ Therefore, did our ancients devise a mechanism that legalized 'utkoch' - besides giving it a semblance of respectability... not only with regard to nomenclature but also by bringing in slabs, ceilings, parameters and the like? Did they recognize 'utkoch' as an important aspect/function - sort of an intrinsic cog in the wheel of statecraft/kutniti/politics as well as that of economic activity (commercial functions)? Did they also recognize it as part of economic activity itself as well as a means of employment generation? 'Coz (e.g.) gambling was very much prevalent. ~ My guess is as good as yours. Also, is that the reason why our ancient texts are not littered with stories and/or anecdotes about 'utkoch' and the like? Simply because it may have been an accepted fact and so, did not raise eyebrows? 'Coz given the times and given the nature of their functions - which was very much a part and parcel of statecraft/kutniti/politics (of which 'utkoch' was an intrinsic cog in the wheel), it is unlikely that Shri Ram or Shri Krishn or for that matter Chanakya, the Mauryans or the Guptas would have got on without this particular cog - given human nature (~ they would have had to deal with a cross-section of people and emotions). After all, statecraft or kutniti is all about dealing with human nature, mere people-management (abstract phraseology) is not enough. ~ And so, reciprocity (or some kind of barter system) has always been the norm. (~ The intensity, though, may have differed from era/yug to era/yug. Population as well as social complexities too would have been lesser.) | However, despite power-brokers, middlemen, statecraft/kutniti/politics and 'utkoch', ancient India achieved remarkable strides in innovation, creativity, research, town-planning, trade and other economic activity; science, mathematics, astronomy, metallurgy, art, architecture, literature, poetry and sculpture flourished, and the cultural development of ancient India reached its zenith. So, our ancients may not have viewed 'utkoch' as a stymieing factor to development and progress; they probably accepted it as a constant/reality and an integral part of human nature, and therefore took practical measures and rationalized it, instead of letting it fester or tilting at windmills. Also, avarice, gambling, petty crimes and so on will always exist; a society will not function otherwise. Only when their intensity increases tremendously do such activities or traits become a bane (i.e. hamper societal progress and vibrancy). | Dynasty or lineage too does not seem to have been an issue. From the ancient Himalayan kingdom to the celebrated Rama Empire, the Pandava Empire to the Mauryas and the Gupta Empire - all have been dynasties/empires. In a kaleidoscopic ancient India, they lent stability, this in turn helped ancient India to prosper and progress. Besides these dynasties/empires, there have been several other empires and kingdoms led by able rulers and administrators - under whose guidance and leadership parts of ancient India flourished. Administration/administrative functions and governance (which are also intrinsic to empires and kingdoms) requires extensive networking (since it is a cumulative or sum-total of various functions), holding of dialogues, decision-making and alliance-building is necessary, and therefore familiarity is an important criteria. Besides, arriving at a common roadmap/framework for the future. The 'Cakravartin system of governance' was very much dynasty/empire-based - lead by an able and prominent member of a preeminent kula or clan (~ else it might have been 'too many cooks spoil the broth'); there have been exceptions though, when able persons from modest origins have risen and shone... and gone on to become progenitors of dynasties/empires. [For a Cakravartin-raja, dharma and karm-yog gained primacy. They probably arrived at a shared roadmap/guidelines/framework/architecture for the future - with their allies and other smaller kings/chieftains/satraps (janapadin). A Cakravartin-raja was (thus) a unifier, a binding force/factor; a leader, a ruler, an administrator, a teacher, a guiding spirit, a catalyst, a reformer and a well-wisher of the people; one who could take diversities (of all kinds) along. His empire was not a monolith, but rather a confederation (with maximum internal autonomy). There were kings and chieftains (janapadin) governing their own big and small regions/kingdoms/territories (janapadas and mahajanapadas), and yet, they all functioned under the wise and reassuring presence of the Cakravartin. ~ He was the proverbial banyan tree beneath which all others sheltered. BG 10.27: || narāṇāḿ ca narādhipam || ~ "and among humans I am the monarch" (Cakravartin). ~ BG 10.25: || aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ || ~ "Of all trees I am the (asvatthah)" - fig tree (it can mean: banyan tree as well as the Peepal/aśvatthaḥ, or maybe both). | Cakravartin were not harbingers of stagnation or short-termism or ad hocism/tactical measures; they had the mettle, capacity and foresight to effectively deal with societal dynamics, take longer-term planning (a lucid plan of action), set strategic objectives and follow through with them; they did not shy-away or postpone reforms either, i.e. taking tangible measures for mindset change or for altering prejudices. They knew how to go about the latter - for it to be durable and organic. Optimism, a sense of hope and prioritizing were a hallmark to their leadership - it was integral to the way they led. ~ In fact, that is true leadership.] Perhaps stability, stature, reassurance and continuity were overweening factors (important pillars) for the rest to fall in place. [A nucleus is necessary.] Trying to rebuild the wheel or framework/architecture at short intervals may not have been prudent, probably counterproductive too (as is evident from the post Gupta era gradual drift and flounder - the repercussions of which have been extremely far-reaching). ~ Certain other line of work such as business, diplomacy, medicine, the legal profession and even entertainment (to some extent) - follow this trend/model, perhaps familiarity (generational ties) and the strength borne out of it (networking, ease of interaction, trust, confidence, etc) matters. These are critical intangibles, and not quite quantifiable. | The many monuments and ruins are a testimony to aesthetics; none of them are an eyesore. Our ancients also lived in harmony with nature; they did not pollute the water-bodies, etc. Plastic and other non-biodegradable wastes were unknown to them. | Various sculptures and others forms of art tell us about the attitude towards 'tritiya-prakriti'. The nomenclature itself is an indication that three kinds of humans were accepted. Sculptures, art and texts also inform us about the attitude regarding kama (desire). BG 10.28: || prajanaś cāsmi kandarpaḥ || ~ "of causes for procreation I am Kandarpa (or Cupid), the god of love." Short-term marriage (termed 'Gandharva Vivaah') - that lasted for a few hours or a few days - were prevalent. No ritual was required, though the consent of the female was essential. Gandharva Vivaah happened either to beget progeny or for pleasure. [Maharshi Veda Vyasa was born out of one such marriage between Matsyakanya Satyavati and Maharshi Parashara. Matsyakanya does not mean daughter of a fisherman or even fisherwoman. The ancient Matsya kingdom probably is modern-day Rajasthan. Satyavati thus hailed from the ancient Matsya kingdom (of the Mahabharata times). She later became the queen of Hastinapura. ~ Ladies of the night too existed, but were referred to as ganikas and nagar-vadhus. [Appropriate measures for healthcare and hygiene were not withheld.] | The terminologies give us a glimpse into the mindset and culture of the earlier peoples and eras. [The earlier eras perhaps were able to streamline and rationalize, and thus the nation too prospered. The social conditions were therefore much less convoluted. They probably did not pile on unresolved issues and build a mountain out of it. It is ultimately self-defeating and counterproductive.] The Sanskrit language is a very erudite language. A very cultured language. The same can be said about the classical versions of other languages. [The cuss-words and/or derogatory terminologies and/or phraseology of modern times have no parallel either in the Sanskrit language or in the classical versions of other Indian languages. This (probably) is an indicator of what something as innocuous as phraseology or terminology can do to a people, a society and (thereby) a civilization. Coinage is easy; altering or reversing it is a Herculean task.] Therefore, our ancients very likely based their worldview on a rational and realistic analysis of human nature (characteristics, thought process, virtues, strengths, motivations, weaknesses/shortcomings/inadequacies et al) and human society, and thus built-in appropriate measures to prevent and/or mitigate unwanted/unpleasant aspects. [~ All this is before the post-Gupta era drift and flounder. ~ Not only did India lose her preeminence in various areas, her reputation and respect (in the eyes of the world) as a cultured civilization too was lost at the altar of myopia, expediency and avarice. The state of the river Ganga was reminiscent of the state of the Indian civilization ('Aryavarsha') and Arya Dharma.] 

[Note: ~ The character of a society or civilization can be easily gauged by how it views women (~ that is not to say womenfolk are merely 'mothers' and 'sisters'). | Draupadi was insulted and none spoke up (including the likes of Dhritatashtra, Bheeshma and Dronacharya - who enjoyed much clout) - due to fear of antagonizing Duryodhana or due to petty considerations (like Dronacharya - a guru no less). So engrossed were they in deliberating about who should ascend the throne - Yudhishtira or Duryodhana - that they were unable to see adharm unfold right in front of their eyes. So much for foresight and priority. Krishn later remarks: a society that stood by silently and simply watched - when a prominent and accomplished person like Draupadi (who was also the princess of Panchal, daughter of King Drupad, and so on) was insulted in such an unarya manner - in the most derogatory language and gestures, what will such a society do when ordinary women are mistreated. | What kind of society or civilization emerges is in the hands of the people... due to their actions, conditioning, thought process, vocabulary, idioms, hygiene, civic sense, mindset, attitude, worldview and so forth ~ all of which influence and shape up the following generations... and thereby the social fabric. | For our ancients it was woven around Arya Dharma... which later unraveled. | Bheeshma, Dronacharya, Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidur, Karna, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Draupadi and her brother, Drishtadumna, Ghatotkach, etc - were all 'born' or begotten through various medical procedures (including advanced genetic engineering and cloning technology). They were unnatural humans; they could not procreate naturally. [Bheeshma refused to get himself cloned. ~ He was the outcome of DNA taken from multiple sources - after seven unsuccessful attempts. He was practically immortal, and thus the metaphor of 'shara-sajya' or 'bed of arrows' has been used. Despite grievous injuries, he was unable to leave his mortal body.] ~ Even Draupadi's five sons (one by each of the Pandavas): Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Srutakirti, Satanika and Srutakarma are said to have been spitting images of their respective fathers - the 5 Pandavas. This again points towards cloning. Therefore, 'the Pandavas announcing to Kunti their arrival with excellent "alms", and a supposedly busy Kunti replying without turning to look at Draupadi (the supposed "alms") and advising/ordering the brothers to share the "alms" equally amongst the five of them' ~ is a later-day addition, courtesy translators - who, unable to understand technology, etc improvised. | The great 'dharma-yuddha' (battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity, for a prosperous and vibrant society) also eliminated unnatural humans and destructive weaponry and allowed the earth to "heal"... thus civilization could progress naturally and peacefully. | Some genetic defects were found in subsequent generations which too were set right through medical procedures. 'Kaalsarpa Dosha', 'Sarpa Dosha' or 'Nag Dosha' refers to genetic disorder. A genetic disorder is an illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. ~ If one observes the shape of DNA, it resembles two snakes coiled together (something we now refer to as: DNA coiled into the double helix structure as a ladder, a twisted rope ladder, or a spiral staircase). In ancient times, our Rishis/Munis (learned persons) visualized everything ~ and thus (euphemistically or maybe symbolically) referred to DNA as 'Sarpa', and any disorder in the DNA was hence termed as 'Sarpa Dosha'. [Dosha = bio-energies found in the body.] Raja Janamajaya/Janamejaya's 'yagna' (euphemism for a 'scientific procedure' to correct 'Kaalsarpa Dosha') took up twelve years. [~ A big chunk of the 'yagna' etc mentioned in our ancient texts is merely a reference to one or the other scientific or medical procedure. From the narrative we can figure out what sort of procedure has been indicated. Also, the logo of the Indian Medical Association is self-explanatory.] With Parikshit (Janamejaya's father) too there is a 'sarpa' involved (though the story has largely been mistranslated). This 'sarpa' is indicative of some genetic disorder. Maybe Rishi Shameek and his son (Shringi) diagnosed this disorder, but were unable to cure/eliminate it. Perhaps during the procedure itself or while undergoing therapy the disorder aggravated and/or his body reacted negatively to the therapy/medication and thus, Parikshit died (as indicated by 'Takshak hiding himself within an apple'.) His son Janmejaya ascended the throne ~ and promptly took remedial measures - to correct his own genetic anomaly/disorder ('Sarpa Dosha' or 'Kaalsarpa Dosha'). In all likelihood, Janmejaya probably engaged a battery of renowned Maharshis, Rishis and Munis - highly knowledgeable and learned persons (to conduct research and experiments... so as to find a remedy.) And this time - after twelve years' of continuous effort - they were successful.

Human nature or traits are innate or intrinsic aspects and hence different from conditioning. | Negative mindset perpetrated for generations or information overload, etc can result in negative conditioning... which in turn percolates into the social fabric and thereby affects social conditions. However, negative conditioning can be altered, through sustained efforts and tangible steps/measures. Various greats and even unsung people have successfully altered or curbed negative mindset, conditioning, etc. | While certain aspects of human nature is interlinked with certain activities or line of work, and therefore statecraft/kutniti/politics, diplomacy and commercial and mercantile functions have never been without quid pro quo, or some sort of reciprocity and even 'utkoch'. Given the very nature of the former (competitiveness, profit maximization, information gathering, manipulation, manoeuvres, alliance-building and the like), the latter are intrinsic, innate and (hence) an integral part of these activities; it is not merely top-down but also bottom-up. | Maybe our ancients took a sensible view, and (therefore) legalized or regularized it - by putting a cap or ceiling and bringing in parameters etc along with appropriate nomenclature and so on. | However, the purposes or motives may differ. And therefore, 'lotus feet', 'lotus palm' (the dharmic freedom of inner detachment), and the swan analogy (~ and the need to separate milk from water).] 

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Brahmn (Cosmic Light or Light Divine/ Supreme/Universal Consciousness) and Mahat or Ishvara/Ishvari (Primal Creative Energy/Cosmic Entity).

BG 11.12: || divi surya-sahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthita yadi bhah sadrisi sa syad bhasas tasya mahatmanah || ~ "If the radiance of a thousand suns were to suddenly come forth in the sky, that would be like the light of the Param-atma." (Supreme Cosmic Spirit or Energy - Supreme/Universal Consciousness.) | [mahatmanah = higher soul/Param-atma. ~ Krishn is referring to the impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn (the Absolute) and Brahm-jyotih (Cosmic Light or Light Divine).]

Brahmn - the Absolute; in other words: Cosmic Light or Light Divine (divine effulgence); also: Param-atma - Supreme/Universal Consciousness. All creation-related work is the work of Fire (i.e. Cosmic Fire, Cosmic Light/Brahmn-jyotih or Light Divine.) [... The impersonal Brahmn is thus revered as the Supreme Creator (Srashtaa).] | Brahmn is defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return. ~ It is the light (divine effulgence) that impersonalists perceive in the Nirguna (unmanifested - avyaktah/Niraakar) mode of God/Almighty. | AUM (also written as OM) represents Brahmn (the Supreme Creator/Srashtaa), as well as the whole of creation. | The impersonal Brahmn - Cosmic Light or Light Divine (divine effulgence) - is thus the unmanifested (avyaktah/Niraakar) form of the Almighty. 

~ Mahat or Ishvara/Ishvari (Primal Creative Energy) is the Cosmic Entity - the supreme power/authority of the universe/cosmos - adhaataa (above whom there is no other): the Cosmic Ruler (Jagat-patih - Sovereign of the Universe/Vishva Nath and Lord of Creation; Jagadishvara-Jagadishvari/Jagadish/Tribhuvaneshvar-Tribhuvaneshvari) and Cosmic Teacher (Palanhare). | The Cosmic Entity is the highest possible conception of the Absolute (impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn - Cosmic Light or Light Divine; divine effulgence), which is beyond all thought. Thus, Ishvara/Ishvari is manifested Brahmn - vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn. ~ And so, Ishvara/Ishvari is Brahma - the Creator. In other words: Brahmā is the Creator aspect of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being (Ishvara/Ishvari). Mahat or Ishvara/Ishvari is (thus) also known as Vishwakarma: Creator of the Universe. | As manifested Brahmn (vyaktah/saakar Brahmn), Ishvara/Ishvari (the Cosmic Entity) is Omswaroop (manifestation of OM). ~ S/He is the motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universes. S/He is also kartaa: The doer, maargah: The path, and neyah: The guide.

Thus, it is said: The seen (manifested - vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn) and the unseen (unmanifested - avyaktah/Niraakar Brahmn) are both one. ~ This explains the concept of Advaita (monism - Nirguna/Niraakar [formless/unmanifested] mode of God/Almighty, i.e. the impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn); Dvaita (dualism; impersonal, unmanifested or avyaktah/Niraakar Brahmn i.e. Cosmic Light/Light Divine/Divine Effulgence + manifested or vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn - the Cosmic Entity/Ishvara/Ishvari) and āstika (theism). | Unlike the rigorous monism (Advaita) of the Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita also integrates dualism (Dvaita) and theism (āstika).

[Here is Tagore's 'Pratham Adi taba Shakti': link01.]

BG 10.33: || dvandvaḥ sāmāsikasya ca || ~ "And among compound words I am the dual compound." ~ A reference to the Cosmic Duality (~ the concept of ArdhaNarishvara or more precisely - ArdhaNarishvari.)

BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring". | Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or lunar mansion - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient). ~ The first two carana/pada (quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha Rāśi or Taurus (bull). The latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi (Gemini). | Gemini - the twins, but that is not literal. ~ Here, it a reference to the concept of ArdhaNarishvara or ArdhaNarishvari. ~ Tagore's "Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka" incorporates this essence: link.

[Note: As for the Bull or Vṛṣabha aspect: Dharma is generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull (Vrishabha). ~ Thus, Lord Narayana (the Cosmic Entity/Ishvara - or rather, the Vishnu or preserver/stabilizer/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity) is also called Vṛṣabha - the Great Bull. ... This is because, S/He is Dharmadhyaksha - Lord of Dharma (Vrisha Uttamam or Supreme Dharma). ~ Perhaps S/He dispenses justice - for negative (Prarabda) karma - during presence amongst humanity (as one or the other avatar). ~ In case the negative (Prarabda) karma has not been "washed off" by the performance of adequate amounts of good karma - for the benefit of humanity and society, that is.] ~ Copious amounts of good/positive karma is required to "wash off" (any existing or carried over) Prarabda karma (negative karma); this in turn gives the individual and/or the jiva-atma (human soul) a clean slate, or a positive amount (remainder) of good karma. | Therefore, probably, the transmigration of a human soul (jiva-atma) is as per the presence of or lack thereof... of a positive amount (remainder) of good karma. | Karma is not comeuppance or retribution, but an opportunity for redemption. | Bhu-Loka or the Earth-Realm (part of the Madhya-loka or Middle Planets) is karm-bhoomi; it is sort of a launch-pad from where the jiva-atma (human soul or mere Self) can reach (i.e. transmigrate to) the other worlds/lokas (Urdhva-loka or Higher Planets and Adho-loka or Lower Realms, also known as Bilva-Svarga - technologically and materially opulent but spiritually deficient lokas/planets) - based on one's karma. Excessive Prarabda karma (negative karma) = the jiva-atma (human soul) may even have to suffer in one of the Hellish planets/Narak-loka. | ~ In Sanaatan Dharmic thought there is no concept of rest in peace. Instead, there is the concept of Charaiveti: to keep going, in this cycle of samsara - the constant cycle of birth and re-birth - until one attains "moksha" (liberation) ~ based on one's (accumulated) positive karm, i.e. nishkam/selfless/non-glory-seeking action/service... that contributes towards the greater good or a better and vibrant society. ~ Every jiva-atma (human soul or mere Self) will be reborn based on its accumulated karm-phal, the fruits of one's karma, and (thus) get an opportunity to redeem itself.] 

'Avatar' means: descent, and refers to a descent of the divine into earthly form. Avatar comes from the Sanskrit avatirna: "manifest/descent from the Lord" (Cosmic Entity or Ishvara/Ishvari). | The manifestations of the Lord are innumerable, like rivulets flowing from inexhaustible sources of water. BG 10.40: || nānto 'sti mama divyānāḿ vibhūtīnāḿ parantapa eṣa tūddeśataḥ prokto vibhūter vistaro mayā || ~ "There is no end of My divine manifestations, O Arjun. What I have spoken to you is but a mere indication of My infinite manifestations." | Apart from the direct manifestations, there are innumerable empowered manifestations. Partial avatars are called aḿśa. The indirectly empowered ones are called vibhūtis. [~ 'Avatar' is not to be misconstrued as incarnation or re-incarnation ~ since the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is not part of the cycle of samsara - the karmic cycle of birth and re-birth. 'Avatar' is not role play either. ... If we can understand what the avatars do, their contribution and purpose, we can then fully grasp the significance of the 'avatar' concept.]

~ Lord Krishna is considered as the Cosmic Teacher and Cosmic Ruler, in his totality of manifestation. In other words: He is not an Avatar of the Cosmic Ruler/Teacher/Entity (the Primordial), but is considered as the Cosmic Entity (albeit, in human form) i.e. God manifest in human form (svayam Bhagavan) - the human manifestation [sagun swaroop] of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being - in his totality of manifestation. || krishnas tu bhagavan svayam || Krishn means, "the all-attractive/absorbing One" (~ also symbolized by the Universal Form of the Primordial). | However, although in their human forms, the avatars possess certain qualities. The 7^th Vishnu (the Ram-avatar) possessed 12. While the 8^th Vishnu (the Krishna-avatar) possessed all 16; thus he is Purna Avatar (~ one in whom divinity is manifested fully.) The 10th Vishnu (the Kalkiḥ-avatar or Kalkiḥ Maitreya), on the other hand, is regarded as 'Sampoorna Avatar' (~ a total, complete, all-encompassing avatar). Thus, this avatar is stated as indescribable (kim api). ~ Now whether this could also mean that Lord Krishna - in his totality of manifestation - is Lord Kalkiḥ (the Kalkiḥ-avatar or Kalkiḥ Maitreya) ~ my guess is as good as yours. [~ But the Kalkiḥ-avatar, a Knight-saviour, is regarded as Krishna+ and the best of the Dasavatara. ... A lone warrior who will stand against negativism and calamity at the end of Kaliyug (the 'Dark Age' - the age of ignorance/confusion/degeneration/decay; euphemistically also called the Metal/Machine Age or the ghor Kaliyug phase) and put things on the road to recovery. This avatar is also the least worldly of all the avatars - on account of association with kundalini.]

The Cosmic Entity has ten principal avatars or manifestations (not to be misconstrued for re-incarnation; the Cosmic Entity is not part of the samsara or karmic cycle of birth and re-birth) - to stabilize, preserve and guide the universe (and humanity) from time to time (as per: dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge - to revive/rebuild/revitalize the principles of dharma - right, tangible actions for the greater/collective good, and karm-yog - individual and collective action i.e. effective, tangible and sustained karm-yog, even nishkama karm-yog ~ for the progress and betterment of society.) | The Dashavatara (link) refers to the ten principal avatars - as per his promised: || yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham (BG 4.7) || ~ The Cosmic Entity manifests (as a transcendental avatar) ~ whenever there is a great amount of turmoil and/or stagnation, confusion, deterioration and degeneration, i.e. when societal churn/'manthan' becomes too great ~ to prevent a collapse of basic structure of mankind; to stabilize the events/situation from spiraling out of control, and to help and guide mankind/humanity face the challenges posed... whenever negativism become too dominant and/or when there is stagnation and/or a lack of a sense of direction; or when humanity is unable to find a doable/effective solution to their myriad issues (i.e. when the odds/problems/challenges/impediments overtake and loom above the collective ability of humanity to find an effective solution/remedy). ~ Thus, the Cosmic Entity is also known as kartaa: The doer, maargah: The path, and neyah: The guide. And thus, S/He is also known as 'Sudarshan' Vasudev Dhanvantari (the Supreme Druid) - who arrives to stem the churn/manthan/turmoil ~ to stabilize, and to re-energize/rejuvenate... by providing aoushata (remedy, solutions) ~ so that humanity can (gradually) "heal", i.e. overcome/surmount the odds/challenges and find/regain its rhythm/mojo. [Refer to Sahasrara Chakra, Kundalini, Ajna Chakra, etc - for 'Sudarshan Chakra'.] 

~ Narayana/Narayani or Keshavah (this nomenclature is not constrained by gender) is the Cosmic Ruler (Jagat-patih) and Cosmic Teacher (Palanhare); also known as Ishvara/Ishvari, Mahat, God or the Almighty. [Keshavah means: one who is the three: kah Brahma, ah Vishnu and Isa Shiva; indicating the power of Creation, Maintenance/Preservation and Dissolution (i.e. the three aspects of Ishvara/Ishvari - the Cosmic Entity). Narayana, as Brahma (the Creator aspect) has created fourteen planetary systems; Narayana sustains, maintains and preserves the universe as Vishnu (the Preserver/Maintainer aspect) and dissolves the universe at the end of maha-kalpa as Shiva or Rudra. ~ Thus the holy Trimurti is non-different from Narayana. | Narayana is the name of Ishvara/Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being ~ in the infinite, all pervading form. Narayana also means: Enlightened Supreme/Primordial Being. Also: well-wisher and refuge of all beings. 'Coz Ishvara does not discriminate ~ as indicated by the Universal Form of the Primordial.] 

A quote from Swami Vivekananda's speech (Welcome Address - Chicago, Sept 11, 1893) ~ in response to the warm and cordial welcome he received: "As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee." 

[Here is 'Tahare Arati Kare Chandra Tapan Deva Manava':  link.]

|| Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti || ~ Truth (meaning: the Eternal/Shaashvata i.e. Sat/Satya; also, timeless essence/knowledge - para vidya) is one, but the wise know/call it as many. | In other words: God is one, but we can approach the Almighty in many ways.

|| eko vai nārāyaṇa āsīn na brahmā na īśāno nāpo nāgni-samau neme dyāv-āp ṛthivī na nakṣatrāṇi na sūryaḥ || ~ "In the beginning of the creation there was only the Supreme/Primeval Being Nārāyaṇa. There was no Brahmā, no Śiva, no water, no fire, no moon, no stars in the sky, no sun." 

~ This (perhaps) indicates that... in the beginning (of the creation) only the Vishnu aspect (i.e. the Preserver/Stabilizer/Maintainer aspect) of the Primordial Being existed. 

|| nārāyaṇaḥ paro devas tasmāj jātaś caturmukhaḥ tasmād rudro 'bhavad devaḥ sa ca sarva-jñatāḿ gataḥ || ~ "Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme/Primordial/Primeval Being ~ from whom Brahmā was born, from whom Śiva was born." 

~ This indicates the gradual 'birth' (coming about/emergence) of the other two aspects of the Primordial Being #1. Brahmā (the Creator - i.e. the 'Srashtaa' or Creator aspect of the Primordial Being) and #2. Śiva (~ the Dissolution aspect of the Primordial Being).

BG 10.33: || dhātāhaḿ viśvato-mukhaḥ || ~ "and of creators I am Brahmā." 

BG 10.23: || rudranam sankaras casmi || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-Śiva].

~ The Brahmā (Creator aspect) and Śiva (Dissolution aspect) are time-specific. While the Vishnu (Preserver/Stabilizer/Maintainer) aspect of the Primordial Being (Cosmic Entity) is eternal.

Thus, BG 10.33: || aham evākṣayaḥ kālo || ~ "I am also inexhaustible time."

And, BG 10.34: || mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatām || ~ "I am all-consuming time, and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (~ Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all that shall come into being.")

~ The universe is mathematically precise, 'coz time and tide wait for none. ~ And so, the commencement and closure of yugs and maha-yugs; the transition from one yug to another or one maha-yug to another, too will happen on time. The universe/cosmos functions as per the Cosmic Plan. | The Cosmic Entity is not part of maanav-species; however, the avatars appear in their human/transcendental form (leela-avatars). And, whichever form the Purna Avatar or sagun swaroop (totality of manifestation/God manifest in human form) appears, is the Universal Form of the Primordial. | The Cosmic Entity does not discriminate ~ as indicated by the Universal Form of the Primordial. ~ Tagore envisioned a parallelism - the parallelism of welding together into one body various peoples (~ and this is reminiscent of the Universal Form of the Primordial. Refer the relevant passages.) 

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The Bhagavad-Gita is a magnificent text; the jewel of ancient Eastern spiritual wisdom, it is a text for all time, it is ever relevant, it is universal, and it belongs to the world. The eighteen chapters (and 700 verses) are a part of the celebrated Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'), and a treasure-trove of guidance, knowledge, wisdom, philosophical concepts and insights... about the purpose of life, the two-fold path or dvi-vidha nistha - for karm-yogis and gyan-yogis respectively; about dharma (dharmic principles - right/positive, tangible actions for the greater/collective good) and karm-yog (walking the talk; to act, individually and collectively in a sustained manner - toward the common/collective goals/objectives); about prioritizing; about the need to differentiate between the positive and enduring (what is necessary/required/needed) and the negative and transient/ephemeral (trivia) - the swan/hamsah analogy; to finding happiness and contentment, inner transformation and tranquility; harmonious living; to building a good society - a better and vibrant society; about the cosmos, about the Cosmic Entity's various manifestations, the Universal Form, and much more. ~ Including: the distinction between the Higher Self (Supersoul/Param-atma) and the mere Self (Jiva-atma or the individual soul) - about the organic and deep connection (yog/sanjog) between Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul - finites) and Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul  - the Infinite). ~ This union of Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul) with the Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul) is called Sanaatan Dharma; in other words: connecting (yog/sanjog) with the Higher Self ~ seeking communion (yog/sanjog) with the Universal Consciousness (Brahmn or Param-atma). This results in Self-realization. | Brahmn is defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return. ~ It is the light (divine effulgence, Cosmic Light or Divine Light) that impersonalists perceive in the Nirguna (unmanifested - avyaktah/Niraakar) mode of God/Almighty. | The Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul), on the other hand - transmigrates from one material body to another or to the other worlds/loka - based on one's karma. ~ Karma is not comeuppance or retribution, but an opportunity for redemption. [Therefore, perhaps, the transmigration of a Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul) is as per the presence of or lack thereof... of a positive amount (remainder) of good karma.]

BG 2.13: || dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati || ~ "As the embodied soul continuously passes, in the material body, from childhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly transmigrates from one body to another. The self-realized (wherein the mere Self/Jiva-atma has achieved communion with the Higher Self/Param-atma, and therefore experienced eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy of self-realization - sat-cit-ananda) or the temperate (dhirah = the temperate) is not bewildered/deluded by such a change."

BG 2.22 || vāsānsi jīrNāni yathā vihāya navāni grihNāti naro.aparāNi tathā śarīrāNi vihāya jīrNānyanyāni sanyāti navāni dehī || ~ "Just as a human being puts on new garments, casting off old and worn-out ones, the soul (Jiva-atma or mere Self) similarly takes up residence within new material bodies, giving up the old and infirm ones." 

The verses can also be taken as a conversation between Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul, finite ~ represented by Arjun) and the Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul, the Infinite ~ Sri Krishn. ... Since the Cosmic Entity is manifested Brahmn - vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn; Krishn is a male manifestation - transcendental form or leela-avatar - of the Cosmic Entity, the Primordial.) | Arjun (and possibly even Draupadi) probably realized that Krishn was no ordinary human. Tagore said: aamar khela jakhon chhilo tomar shoney, takhon keye tumi ta keye janto. ~ Tagore also said: praan chay chokkhu na chay... sundar eshe phire jaye tobe kaar lagi mithya ae shojja. ~ Only the enlightened or self-realized (wherein the mere Self/Jiva-atma has achieved communion with the Higher Self/Param-atma, and therefore experienced the eternal/bliss or spiritual ecstasy of self-realization - sat-cit-ananda) can recognize the avatars ~ 'coz they become a connected part of the greater cosmos. This happens due to the awakening of the subtle and dormant coil of spiritual energy known as the kundalini (which exists in the sacrum bone - a large, triangular bone - at the base of the spine. The process of Enlightenment or in other words Self-realization involves the gentle awakening of this living and conscious energy, so that it pervades the individual's entire being. Once this occurs, an individual is no longer disconnected from the universe around them - i.e. he/she is no longer confined inside his/her own head (due to ego, confusion, delusion, vainglory, etc). Instead, the mind is lit up, in a manner of speaking; the metaphoric dimaag ki batti is lit up - possibly depicted by the "halo"; it brings about self-knowledge and contentment - leading to Sat-cit-ānanda, the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy (total contentment) of "self-realization". Kundalini awakening connects a human to his or her Atman (Supersoul/Higher Self) - which is the source of all things. When an individual become totally connected with it, such a person becomes a Buddha (the Enlightened One) - eternal and filled with pure/timeless knowledge (para vidya). ~ Thus, probably Arjun could fully understand/comprehend + imbibe all that Krishn imparted to him. ... And so, BG 10.37: || pāṇḍavānāḿ dhanañjayaḥ || ~ "I am Arjun among the Pandavs". | However, though the number of verses is 700, there is indication suggesting that the old manuscripts had 745 verses. Whether there were more than 745 verses, many of which now lost in the mists of time ~ my guess is as good as yours. | By praan chay chokkhu na chay... sundar eshe phire jaye tobe kaar lagi mithya ae shojja - Tagore probably advised/cautioned against excessive ritualism and focus/emphasis on trivia (unimportant or transient aspects) ~ which clouds the mind and intellect - then one cannot connect to the greater whole, and so, one tends to miss the larger picture - the enduring (~ as symbolized by the swan metaphor). Tagore also emphasized on education - intellectual pursuits and intellectual curiosity (as opposed to rote-learning) ~ 'coz knowledge is likely to be wasted if it exists in a wisdom vacuum.

"One infinite pure and holy - beyond thought beyond qualities I bow down to thee." - Swami Vivekananda. 

"When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous." ~ Albert Einstein. 

~ Cannot agree more.

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~ Krishn is universal (also refer to the passages on Krishn and Yug Purush/Renaissance Man.) He is Eternal/Shaashvata (Sat/Satya - eternal; also timeless essence/knowledge - para vidya) and exudes grace, wisdom, generosity, work ethic, workmanship, dharmic excellence (right actions for the larger good: loka-kalyana or loka-sangraha), enlightenment and compassion/goodness (Sundar). He is Mahat - the Great One; He is Viraat - the Infinite. He is well-wisher of humanity, and thinks about the welfare, progress and prosperity of all beings throughout the cosmos; He is beyond human pettiness or small-mindedness. [For the Cosmic Entity (Ishvara), as Cakravartin, the goals/objectives, the greater/collective good, the welfare of mankind/humanity and (thus) prioritization is important.] And so, he is compared to the swan. ~ The swan is supposed to possess the ability to separate the water from the cream (in milk) - symbolizing the need to differentiate between positive aspects and negative aspects, the enduring (what is required/necessary or needed) and the ephemeral/transient (or trivial). He is also matsya - the fish; for the betterment of mankind/humanity he will, if need be, swim against the tide; he will, thus, create opportunity and blaze a trail where none exists - for others to follow. ('Toxin' - negativism, including abuse, insults, slights, derision) does not deter him. [He is Ghanshyam - the all-absorbing one.] He possessed the courage of his convictions, and never shirked from standing by his convictions/commitment - the collective goals/objectives: the larger good, the betterment of society. (Also, refer to Nishkama karma and karm-yogi at the end of this post.) ~ Krishn is eternal; he is the Primordial (Aadinath), and therefore, has a wealth of experience, sagacity and wise counsel; he is also very clear-eyed, and hence, prescient; he thus steered the course through tortuous events et al... and put things on firmer ground (upward trajectory). ~ A clear head, sound judgment, plenty of common sense, a pleasant personality, quietly magnificent, indomitable energy, personal magnetism, strategic and far-thinking, gumption and purpose, a quiet determination, magnanimity/generosity of spirit, a long-term vision and abundant patience, steadfastness (to stay the course, and not get demotivated by the magnitude of odds/challenges, or give up - due to slights or lack of instant results), tremendous ingenuity and work ethic, ardent convictions of duty (right, tangible actions, and not merely words or philosophy - for the betterment of society), the fortitude of the hero, with an unflinching courage of those convictions... he was not easily turned aside/away from whatever he undertook... by bigger and mightier obstacles/impediments/odds/challenges (than those of Treta). [Each era/age/yug is distinct; viewing them through the prism of another will be misleading.] ~ His intensity is balanced by his enthusiasm and energy. However, usually appended to the more forceful virtues were gentler ones - humility, affability, approachability, affection and a genuine concern for the welfare of humanity. Krishn, thus, we can say, was striking in appearance and personality/character traits, but without ego (ahamkara) or vainglory.

~ He is the Cosmic Teacher (Palanhare) and Cosmic Ruler (Jagat-patih/Jagadishvar) - rather a male manifestation of Ishvari (~ as indicated by a non-rugged face. The same holds for Shri Ram, Rudra-Siva, etc.) | As the Cosmic Teacher, he puts on a veneer - the avatars never announce themselves; he (also) holds a mirror to humanity. ~ This veneer (probably) helps them to assesses humanity (~ their thought process, comprehension, perspective and cognitive abilities, calibre, mettle, the talent at hand, and so on). Also, whether they can (like the swan) differentiate between positive aspects and negative aspects; between what is necessary/important (enduring) and what is transient (trivial). ~ This is probably integral to his holding a mirror to society ~ to usher in clarity (so as to dispel confusion, apathy, indifference and ignorance). ~ To (thereby) help humanity/society to access itself; to 'awaken', to take cognizance, to shun negativism/pessimism/despondency/narrow parochial thoughts et al; to individually and collectively introspect... and then resort to collective, sustained and tangible actions (karm-yog) - to the best of their abilities; to also reset their inner compass. ~ All this will lead to gradual corrective action/course correction, including attitudinal and mindset change; in other words: towards organic, positive change - upward trajectory/turnaround. | As he says, everything happens due to collective karm-yog (effective, tangible actions - for the betterment of society) or lack of collective, timely and tangible karm-yog; thus, the downward slide (into quagmire) or the gradual degeneration/decay of a society/civilization also comes about due to lack of timely action (i.e. lack of timely, collective, tangible and sustained karm-yog). BG 2.47: || karmaNi eva adhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachana, maa karma phala hetuH bhuH maa sanghaH astu akarmaNi || ~ "Thy business is with the action (i.e. timely, tangible, effective and sustained karm-yog) only, never with its fruits (outcome); so let not the fruits of action be thy motive, nor be thou to inaction (apathy, indifference) attached." [In other words: Do your karma (to the best of your ability) and leave the rest to God. Also: Never give up.] ~ Thus, remaining inactive (i.e. collective shirking of responsibility, based on individual responsibility, inclination, nature or traits) or being a fence-sitter or being weak-minded is not advisable. Instead, the focus should be on performing collective, tangible and sustained karm-yog... as best as possible. Perfunctoryness is not a substitute. | [sri-bhagavan uvaca/Sri Bhagavan said (2-2)]: || kutas tva kasmalam idam visame samupasthitam anarya-justam asvargyam akirti-karam arjuna || ~ "Arjuna! Why are you indulging in such negative thoughts at such a critical time? Such ignoble/un-Aryan (AnArya Justam) behaviour (traits) is unbecoming, it will not gain you entry into higher worlds (Asvargyam = heavenly planets); it will also not allow you to perform your sva-dharma (duties and responsibilities based on his nature, traits, position, etc)." [~ Krishn chides Arjun - for shirking/running away from his true calling as a warrior (in the battle of ideas, principles, inclusivity, progress and vision - for the betterment of society, for the future of humanity).] | ~ It is also an exhortation/advise to all of humanity: to overcome dejection/pessimism etc; to shun cynicism, complacency, procrastination and negative thoughts/negativism - to the best of their ability; to remain cheerful (positive attitude/morale), to cultivate inner fortitude; to not get overwhelmed by negativism and/or lack of quick, instant outcome (to seemingly insurmountable odds), and to remain steadfast in reaching the collective goals/objectives. ~ Frustration or dejection is for the weak-minded, and serves no purpose. | ~ There is no magic wand, no quick-fix, no instant solutions (to overcome challenges/impediments to collective/societal progress and prosperity, especially if these have been left to fester or have come about over a period of time or over several generations; 'coz it then requires attitudinal/mindset changing as well; it is thus work-in-progress); humanity will (therefore) have to sort out their own issues - through collective/cumulative, comprehensive and sustained effort; there is no one "out there" (a messiah figure) who will come and do it. ~ There is no alternative to sustained, collective and tangible karm-yog; mere words is not enough. ~ This has been the message of the Krishn-avatar (the 8^th Vishnu). And, this has also been the message of the Buddh-avatar (the 9th Vishnu). | Collective karm-yog also provides a national sense of direction, of collective achievement; it helps build character and mettle, otherwise a glorious past is no guarantee for a great future. While in Japan Tagore wrote: "The Japanese do not waste their energy in useless screaming and quarreling, and because there is no waste of energy it is not found wanting when required. This calmness and fortitude of body and mind is part of their national self-realization." | Emulating the Krishn-avatar, etc is futile; as the Cosmic Entity (Ishvara/Ishvari), their purpose is different; humanity needs to (instead) deliberate deeply, understand/comprehend and imbibe the essence of the lessons imparted... and continue to perform their collective karm-yog (as per their dharma).

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BG 3.3: (sri-bhagavan uvaca/Sri Bhagavan said): || loke 'smin dvi-vidha nistha pura prokta mayanagha jnana-yogena sankhyanam karma-yogena yoginam || ~ "O noble one [Arjun], in this world a two-fold path has been expounded by Me of old: by the discipline of knowledge (jnana-yogena) for the followers of saNkhya (i.e. gyana-yogi - teachers/academics, preachers, etc), and by the discipline of action (karma-yogena) for the followers of karm-yog (karm-yogi - rulers, reformers, anyone in a decision-making or leadership role.)"

Dharma is (thus) not linear, not straight and narrow; it is not armchair feel-good philosophy or even rhetoric, it is not self-righteousness or abstract moralism or even utopian/impractical idealism; it is not quite ethics or principles by itself - since dharma does not exist in a vacuum/void. It all depends on the motive and objectives - whether sakama karma (selfish action/karm - for narrow parochial gains) or nishkama karma (selfless, non-glory-seeking action/karm - for the larger good, e.g. to build a better and vibrant society). The motives and goals/objectives is important. Dharma is practical application, result-oriented. | Also, each era/age/yug is distinct, their dynamics, odds and challenges differ, even the nature of humanity, their individual and collective worldview, mindset/attitudinal aspects, social conditions, population demographics, comprehension/cognitive abilities, technological aspects, mettle and caliber/competence, and so on does not remain constant; there is a quarterly decline/deterioration, and so, the principles of dharma and karm-yog too does not remain the same. Viewing each era/yug through the prism of another will be, therefore, misleading. 

[~ A Maha-Yug (i.e. four-yug cycle, viz Sat/Satya/Krita Yug, Treta Yug, Dvapar Yug and Kaliyug) follows a ratio of 4:3:2:1, hence Kaliyug is the shortest of all yugs. | Sat/Satya/Krita is the metaphoric 'Golden Age' of revival, renaissance, prosperity, progress, and so on; Treta is the metaphoric 'Silver Age'; Dvapar is 'Copper Age'; while the end of Kaliyug is euphemistically known as the 'Dark Age', the 'Metal/Machine Age' or ghor Kaliyug phase or the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay. ~ There is a quarterly decline in karm-yog, dharmic principles, mettle, calibre, comprehension/perceptive/cognitive abilities, humanism, worldview, social conditions et al of humanity at the end of each era/yug. The end of Kaliyug is (thus) regarded as the lowest of all phases and the most degenerate of all eras/yugs. ~ The renaissance or revival will (however) not happen by itself; sustained, positive, well-thought-out and tangible actions - individual and collective action/effort - is necessary.]

Thus the duties and responsibilities (dharma) of a ruler (king/emperor/Cakravartin-raja, anyone in a leadership or decision-making role, etc) is not quite the same as that of an academic/teacher or preacher. ~ The essence may remain the same, but the context does not. And so, their karm-yog too is not similar (as per dvi-vidha nistha or two-fold path). Theorizing is different from practical aspects. A ruler, e.g. cannot resort to sermonizing, lecturing, grandstanding, exhortations, etc ~ if faced with governance or administrative issues. Philosophy alone will not suffice. Practical and well thought-out steps/corrective actions/reforms are required to address them. It is, more often than not, a tortuous path/process, also requiring abundant patience and diligence. Even involving mindset, attitudinal change. It is work-in-progress. Postponement, procrastination or ad hoc measures will only aggravate the issues/challenges. [~ Therefore, the endeavour should be to gradually achieve a turnaround, to put things on an upward trajectory, positive organic change. It requires collective and sustained effort.] A ruler needs to (therefore) possess the courage of convictions and follow through with it - to the best of their abilities; and so, they need to prioritize, have a roadmap, be clear-eyed, strategic and far-thinking; possess a long-term vision, and so on; a ruler/leader needs to take cognizance of what is necessary/required/needed to be done (like the swan) - for a better society to emerge, for the larger/collective good (loka-kalyana or loka-sangraha, i.e. "welfare of all" or for the benefit of society). An ideal ruler, if need be, will have to swim against the tide, create opportunity - where none exist. ~ A ruler, or for that matter, anyone in a leadership or decision-making role cannot be daunted by frowns or overwhelmed by smiles. 

Krishn was born under unusual circumstances. He grew up... away from his parental home, was sent away to study at the age of 5 or 7 (at Maharshi Sandeepani and Garga Muni's ashram), and returned only to be instantly drawn into a whirlpool of intrigue (unleashed by the machinations of the tyrannical Jarasandha, Kansh and their allies). [Jain tradition recognizes Krishn as Vasudev and Jarasandh as the prati-Vasudev (possibly: anti-Krishna) - and this shows how important the rivalry between the two was.] | Krishn appeared on the scene with his heroic abilities, superior intellect and tremendous political foresight (when the political situation of the country was most difficult with the likes of Jarasandh and allies holding sway; his background or erudition did not buffer him); however, he, having been thrown into the situation, was quite clear in his objective. | Krishn, as a Purna Avatar (one in whom divinity is manifested fully - a reference to all 16 qualities) is not part of maanav-species; he is also not part of the karmic cycle of samsara - of birth and re-birth. What the avatars do is as per the Cosmic Plan. When avatars arrive, they bring forth or accelerate karmas; they create situations - opportunity - that bring forth both the positive as well as the negative (the swan allegory - ability to separate the milk from the cream in milk); e.g. Krishn brought out both the positive and the negative. [Possibly: to destroy/dispel delusion, illusion, confusion et al; to clear the 'cobwebs', to lift the 'fog' of confusion, delusion, negativism, etc,  to "awaken" humanity ... as well as to hold a mirror to society ~ in order to generate vital force in order to take corrective action, to reform; to urge humanity into introspection ~ so that it leads to a natural process of unraveling (from ignorance to discovery and from reformation to transformation). 

Drifting with the flow or following the herd is easy; to merely express unhappiness or to ascribe fault/blame to others as a matter of routine, to lament, complain or bemoan events/situation/happenings - is no sweat; but to be matsya - the fish; to lead from the front; to, if need be, swim against the tide - for the betterment of mankind/humanity; to hold a mirror to society (toward deep-set and regressive mindset, conditioning, indifference, cavalier attitude et al); to create momentum and opportunity and blaze a trail where none exists - for others to follow; to achieve a positive turnaround or to put things on firmer ground; to reform; to take tangible steps or perform positive actions for mindset and attitudinal change... and to do all of that not from a position of strength + in a spirit of nishkam karma (selfless, non-glory-seeking action) is in a league of its own. To be a trendsetter in a difficult/challenging environment and/or to create opportunity even for others - is a class act. ~ The avatars make seemingly insurmountable odds and challenges seem easy and (thus) capable of being accomplished with little effort; and so, e.g., the Krishn-avatar is called 'Giridhari' - the lifter of mountains.  

To be 'Neelkanth' (the allegorical 'blue-throated one') - to soak up 'toxin'/negativism, slights, barbs, insults et al ~ to 'cleanse', to remove pettiness residing in peoples' hearts and minds - arising out of societal churn/'manthan': to correct the course/achieve a turnaround; to renew/re-energize/rejuvenate; to help mankind/humanity ~ so that human society can function and progress and prosper - only can avatar can do that. ~ Only an avatar can lift humanity (human society/civilization) from zero level or rather sub-zero level; i.e. from the lowest point - from considerable ignorance/stagnation/decay etc (signifying the metaphoric 'quicksand'/'mud'/quagmire)... and put it back on an upward trajectory, on the road to recovery; only an avatar has the capacity/caliber/ability to be that catalyst: to prevent a collapse of basic structure of mankind, to prevent humanity (and/or the planet's) slide into 'quicksand'/quagmire (or to pull it out from one) - to re-energize... to set the ball rolling, so to speak. ~ And, this should help us understand what the Varaha-avatar (the unicorn boar) indicates; this avatar is regarded as the supreme form of Narayana/Narayani/Vishnu/Hari (i.e. the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial). ... Incidentally, the current kalpa is known as "Svhetavaraha Kalpa". (Svheta = white. Varaha = the great boar.) | To not be affected by negativism; to not turn into a negative person; to not become pessimistic or sullen. To be a catalyst for positive change. To remain cheerful, resilient and invigorating... requires equanimity, nerves of steel, long-term vision, statesmanship, political sagacity (astuteness), and plenty of guile and gumption.

~ To steadfastly perform nishkam karm (selfless/non-glory-seeking karm) with inner detachment ~ for a greater cause (e.g. for a better/progressive, prosperous and inclusive society to emerge)... provides the dharmic freedom of inner detachment - symbolized by the lotus in muddy water and the hamsah/swan in water. [Inner detachment/Jeevan Mukt or even equanimity is not to be inferred as robotic or machine-like, but that impediments should not deject or demoralize. It is important to persevere, to remain optimistic and not give up.] | The roots of a lotus are in the mud (muddy water), the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristine above the water. ~ The lotus remains Nirmal - pristine, even though rooted in the muddiest waters. ~ While, the swan's feathers do not get damp despite remaining in contact with water. ~ It is the mark of an enlightened, higher soul (mahatmanah). The spirit of such persons is spotless (Nirmal). Therefore, the concept of caraṇa-ambujam/caraṇa-ambhojam or "lotus feet" and kara-puṣkara or "lotus-palm" has come about. | The goals/objectives is important, not the means ~ so long the means (ingenuity, etc) is a step towards the greater cause - the larger/collective good ~ building a better society (i.e. loka-kalyana or loka-sangraha). | The lotus flower and the swan/hamsah are (thus) embodiments of nishkam karm and inner detachment (and the dharmic freedom it bestows) and exemplify a true yogi - a real ascetic (hamsan) or sanyaasi (~ it indicates inner detachment/jeevan mukt - not renunciation). ~ Such a one is a true yogi - a nishkam karm-yogi. Such a yogi is called hamsah - the swan. [Krishn is known as Hamsah - the swan; his was the highest dharmic mission. Humanity was faced with bigger and mightier odds/challenges/impediments in Dvapar than in Treta, but that did not deter him.] (~ Do also read the relevant passages on hamsah - the swan and nishkam karm.)]

BG 4.7: || yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham || ~ "Whenever and wherever there is an alarming decline or discrepancy in dharma/dharmic principles (for the greater good, and/or for humanity/society to progress and prosper/flourish); or when such an alarming decline is perceived or becomes a bane; O Bharata (addressing Arjun, who belonged to the Puru-vansh/Bharat-vansh lineage/clan), only then, I, manifest Myself." ~ Thus, whenever and wherever societal 'churn'/manthan/turmoil becomes too great or difficult (i.e. whenever and wherever there is a great amount of stagnation, degeneration/deterioration) ... so much so that humanity is 'paralyzed'/bewildered and lacks a sense of direction, or is hurtling towards 'quicksand'/quagmire, or when humanity is unable to find a doable/effective solution to their myriad issues (i.e. when the odds/problems/challenges/impediments overtake and loom above the collective ability of humanity to find an effective solution/remedy)... only then, the Cosmic Entity manifests as one or the other major avatar - to stem the 'churn'/manthan, to stabilize (and to re-energize/turnaround). ~ Thus, the Primordial Being is also known as kartaa: The doer, maargah: The path, and neyah: The guide.

Thus, for the 7^th Vishnu (the Ram-avatar, Warrior-Prince - warrior against negativism; a karm-yogi and Cakravartin-raja. | Treta - the symbolic 'Silver Age' - since there is a quarterly decline in karm-yog, dharmic principles, mettle, comprehension/perceptive/cognitive abilities, humanism, social conditions, worldview et al of humanity at the end of each era/yug): || vitarasi dikshu rane dik-pati-kamaniyam dasha-mukha-mauli-balim ramaniyam keshava-dhrita-rama-sharira jaya jagadish hare || ~ To destroy the ten-headed ~ an allegory for various elements that were troubling humanity and disturbing peace, including Meghnaad and Vali - both of whom would have posed a massive challenge to humanity, peace, progress and prosperity in the future - on account of their nature and overweening ambition; to destroy dangerous weaponry (including nagpaas - incorrectly translated/understood as "a trap made of a million snakes". Snakes = poisonous. So the nagpaas is very likely an allusion to very potent nerve agents, etc - that could also cause long-term damage - both genetic and environmental); besides gigantic humanoid-robots like "Kumbhakarna" - that carried a variety of hi-tech weaponry); to dismantle the "Shiv-dhanush" or Pinaka - euphemism for the most destructive nuclear weapons (after an all-round agreement/general consensus) ~ to protect the planet and civilizations therein... O Keshavah! O Lord of the universe (Jagadish)! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form (sharira) of Ramachandra (the Ram-avatar; keshava-dhrita-rama-sharira). | [Hari/Hare = Dispeller [Haran] of Misery/Troubles/Calamity/Sankat - of humanity/human society/civilization.]

For the 8^th Vishnu (the Krishn-avatar - Soldier-Statesman; soldier against negativism; a philosopher-mentor + karm-yogi + an epoch-making avatar/Renaissance man/Yug Purush (refer the relevant passages on Yug Purush); Dvarkadheesh, but a Cakravartin by dint of his actions/karm-yog. | Dvapar - the symbolic 'Copper Age'): || vahasi vapushi vishade vasanam jaladabham hala-hati-bhiti-milita-yamunabham keshava dhrita-haladhara-rupa jaya jagadish hare || ~ O You who dispel misery and vanquish the arrogance of the wicked (~ a reference to Duryodhan, Shakuni, Dushshana, Karna, Jarasandh, Kansh, etc, their allies + their collective machinations). O Keshavah! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari. | [~ Hari/Hare = Dispeller (Haran) of Misery/Troubles/Calamity/Sankat - of humanity/human society/civilization.] The Krishn-avatar brought about a complete change of course and lay the foundation for a new and better society to emerge. (keshava dhrita-haladhara-rupa jaya jagadish hare.) | ~ The Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas') was a dharma-yuddha - battle of ideas, principles, inclusivity, progress and vision - for the future of humanity/human society; for a better society to emerge, for a constructive 'way of life'. | For a ruler or leader (i.e. anyone in a leadership or decision-making role), dharma (duties and responsibilities) does not mean utopian moralism, self-righteousness or unrealistic/impractical idealism, and so on. ~ It is about what should prevail? What should happen to humanity and human society? (for Krishn, it was about Dvapar and beyond). ~ Downward spiral or an upward movement? ~ E.g., if Jarasandh (and his allies) or Duryodhan and Shakuni (and their allies) were to prevail - what would have been the outcome? What turn would the Mahabharata (~ and by extension, human society of Dvapar and beyond) have taken? ~ Therefore, Krishn's was the highest dharmic mission: to stem the downward slide, to steady the churn/manthan; to stabilize, to preserve (i.e. prevent a collapse of basic structure of mankind); to dispel the misery/sankat/calamity confronting the people, and to re-energize/revive i.e. put things on firmer ground/upward trajectory. ~ As the Jagat-patih, Sovereign of the Universe/Lord of Creation, he upheld Raj-dharma (~ the duties and responsibilities of a sovereign; as Dvarkadheesh too he upheld Raj-dharma; he protected humanity and put things on firmer ground – upward trajectory; he was the catalyst for a better society to emerge, instead of sliding deeper into quagmire. He stemmed/mitigated the long-term damage.) He also rid the planet of extremely destructive weaponry and unnatural humans (highly evolved humanoids - genetically engineered and cloned) ~ to allow the planet, humanity and human civilization to "heal"... so as to progress naturally and peacefully.

vahasi vapushi vishade vasanam jaladabham: Krishn is fair-complexioned; probably reddish-hued or crimson (Lohith/Rohitah or Rohit). | vasanam jaladabham: Your attire is the colour of a fresh blue rain cloud. ~ This is allegorical. ... Wherever there is the convergence of purity (i.e. Sat-cit-ānanda or the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of self-realization, and non-glory-seeking karm) and depth (boundlessness) ~ it produces the colour blue. Meghavarnam. The water of the seas and the sky - both are blue-hued. ~ And, since the Almighty combines both purity and depth or boundlessness, S/He too is (allegorically) 'blue-hued'. (~ It's a concept - to indicate divine attribute/divinity.) | Blue also stands for: meditation/introspection, peace, tranquility, depth, stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, patience, decision-making and dharma (right, tangible actions for the greater good.) 

[Both Ram and Krishn are described as tall, handsome and with eyes shaped like lotus petals (maybe, big-eyed). | For Krishn: coral lips (maybe reddish or the colour of red-coral); head bedecked with peacock feathers (that would very likely be the headgear or crown); a fascinating face; an enthralling/captivating smile. ~ His features probably were a result of the delicate blending of the martian, saturnine, venusian and lunar characteristics. In other words: due to the dominance of the influences of the Moon and Venus, with Saturn and Mars]. 

For the 9^th Vishnu (the Buddh-avatar, Sage-Prince - a teacher-philosopher; gyana-yogi): || nindasi jajna-vidher ahaha shruti-jatam sadaya-hridaya darshita-pashu-ghatam keshava dhrita-buddha-sharira jaya jagadish hare || ~ O Buddha (the Enlightened One), of compassionate heart, You show compassion to all living entities; You preach the doctrine of peace, co-existence, non-violence (ahimsa) and universal brotherhood. O Keshavah! O Lord of the universe (Jagadish)! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Buddha (the Buddh-avatar; keshava dhrita-buddha-sharira).

For the 10^th Vishnu (the Kalkiḥ-avatar or Kalkiḥ Maitreya; a karm-yogi + Maitreya Buddha + an epoch-making avatar/Renaissance Man (Yug Purush) + Knight-saviour ~ 'coz the changeover from one era/yug to another, including one maha-yug to another, becomes possible by the coming of an avatar of an era/yug - a yugavatara. | The end of Kaliyug (ghor Kaliyug phase) is the symbolic Dark Age - the Age of Machines or Metal/'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay - since dharmic principles, values, ethics and karm-yog will fall below the minimum level; humanism + comprehension/perceptive/perspective/cognitive abilities, mettle et al of humanity too will fall below the minimum level... this will impact their worldview, social conditions et al ~ thus, humanity will become symbolic machines/robots). The end of Kaliyug is thus the lowest point: || mleccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavalam dhumaketum iva kim api karalam keshava dhrita-kalki-sharira jaya jagadish hare || ~ This avatar will be indescribable (kim api). To "close" the 'Dark Age' - the ghor Kaliyug phase or the Metal/Machine Age - 'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay, the Kalkiḥ-avatar appears like a comet (dhumaketum iva), holding a sword of light - the (metaphoric) brilliant/effulgent sword (known as "Ratna Maru") - it is the (symbolic) "sword" of destiny, of hope and opportunity: signifying knowledge, discernment and wisdom - to guide humanity through the 'fog' of confusion, ignorance, apathy/indifference, ennui, stagnation, degeneration, decay, etc (at the end of Kaliyug, euphemistically known as the ghor Kaliyug phase or the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay. This phase is therefore also known as the most degenerate of all yugs/ages). This avatar's 'vehicle' is the white winged horse/flying horse (Devadutta). O Keshavah! O Lord of the universe (Jagadish)! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Kalkiḥ (the Kalkiḥ-avatar; keshava dhrita-kalki-sharira). | The Kalkiḥ-avatar is predicted to be an erudite, intelligent and valiant (shaurya) personage who will possess Sattva Guna-s (noble traits/qualities). This avatar will (thus) be a cogent, sagacious, clear-sighted and far-sighted avatar, characterized by steady, earnest and energetic effort ~ someone with dhrti (courage of the mind - resilient, steadfast, patient and displaying fortitude and endurance). [Valour/Shaurya is a special human quality, usually demonstrated in the performance of extraordinary and unselfish deeds (nishkam karm) in the face of great challenges - for the greater/collective good.] Parasurama (the 6^th avatar of the Dasavatara) will be the martial guru of the Kalkiḥ-avatar. | ~ This avatar is not quite the "Apocalyptic Horse Rider", but a pathfinder and preserver/stabilizer: to prevent turmoil/Pralaya (on earth); and to bring about the transition from the end of Kaliyug to Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next Maha-yug. This avatar will probably also set the stage for the Sat/Satya/Krita Yug (the metaphoric 'Golden Age' - the age of gradual rejuvenation, renaissance, prosperity and progress) of the next Maha-Yug to manifest. This avatar will very likely also be the avatar of the next Sat/Satya/Krita Yug. | Kalkiḥ, also referred to as Kalkin and Kalaki, is often a metaphor for "Eternity" or "Time". (Time is Kaalah in Sanskrit.) ~ Another etymology (for "Kalkiḥ") from Sanskrit is 'white horse'; maybe indicative of equine features.]

From what we can gather, Yajña, better known as Svayambhuva Manu (the first "Manu") - performed tapasya at Naimisa on the banks of the Gomati river - for acquiring the privilege of having Lord Narayan/Narayani (the Cosmic Entity) as his offspring in three different lifetimes. | Yajña or Svayambhuva Manu - who (earlier) appeared as Raja Dasarath (Lord Ram's father - in Treta) and as Vasudev (Lord Krshn's father - in Dvapar) is predicted to finally appear as Vishnuyash/Vishnuyashas/Vishnuyash Sharma (Lord Kalkiḥ's father - at yuga-sandhyāyām/at the conjunction/cusp of two yugs [Kaliyug and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle; sandhyāyām = evening, twilight, cusp]). || bhavane vishnuyashasah kalkih pradurbhavishyati || ~ Lord Kalki will appear (prādúr) in the home (bhavanê) of Vishnuyasha in the future (bhavishyati). And be born to Vishnuyasha (janitā viṣṇu-yaśaso). || namna kalkir jagat-patih || ~ The appearance (of the Lord of Creation/Sovereign of the Universe) would be during: athāsau yuga-sandhyāyām: at the conjunction/cusp of two yugs (Kaliyug and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle/maha-yug; sandhyāyām = evening, twilight, dusk, cusp.) ~ At this time the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay - i.e. the negative aspects of Kaliyug (ghor Kaliyug phase) will be at its peak. | Now, Vishnuyash/Vishnuyashas could be a name per se, or it could be an allegorical name; it could also mean: devotee of Lord Narayan (i.e. the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity). Vishnuyash is described as Brahmanasya, i.e. he will be a Brahmana, implying erudition; he will also be the head of Shambhala village: shambhala-grama-mukhyasya.) | Alternatively: shambhala-grama-mukhyasya brahmanasya mahatmanah could be a reference to Lord Kalkiḥ. shambhala-grama-mukhyasya could imply Shambhu Nath (the Ruler/Guardian [Nath] of Shambhala). Brahmanasya implies erudition. Mahatmanah implies higher soul.

Shambhala is a mystical kingdom that guards the most sacred spiritual teachings of the world, including the Kalachakra ('Wheel of Time'), the pinnacle of Buddhist wisdom. Perhaps, Shambhala is synonymous with Shangri-la; or, maybe, the lost kingdom of Shangri-La was inspired by the legend of Shambala. Shambhala (ruled over by Lord Maitreya/Buddha Maitreya/Maitreya Buddha) is also mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Kalachakra Tantra + other texts that predate Tibetan Buddhism in western Tibet. | Another meaning of Shambhala: "Bhal" refers to the forehead. Therefore, Shambhala can also mean: "Born of the Forehead" or "Place of the Forehead" ~ indicating "destiny". | Shambhala is the land of great Rishi-s. Guru Nanakdev-ji called it Sach Khand. It is our past - our future - yet exists in our present. It is the 'land of bliss' (eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of self-realization ~ Sat-cit-ānanda) of the earliest Vedic times. It is also called "Aryavarsha" (abode of the Arya people; the Land of the Noble Ones) ~ the land from which the Vedas (Book of Knowledge or Book of Enlightenment; Veda comes from the root 'Vid' which means, "to know") came from. Here is Tagore's 'Anandaloke Mangal-aloke': link.

The Kalkiḥ-avatar is synonymous with the Krishn-avatar. Maybe that's why this avatar is regarded as the second coming of Krishna. [The Krishn-avatar is depicted with an allegorical golden disc/chakra ~ indicative of the 6^th chakra (Ajna Chakra or Brow Chakra, the symbolic third-eye-chakra; possibly the allegoric third eye of Shiva), while the 7^th Chakra (the Sahasrara Chakra, the highest chakra) is associated with the Kalkiḥ-avatar, indicative of kundalini-power (symbolized by brilliant white). [And this should help us understand what Durga Kshama Shiva dhatri means. Kshama = magnanimity, high-mindedness, nobility of spirit: the ability to rise above selfish considerations. Dhatri = mother.] The combination of the 6th and 7th chakras is 'Sudarshan Chakra' - possibly depicted by the syncretic form of Rudra/Shiva-Shakti.] ~ Thus, the Kalkiḥ-avatar is regarded as Krishna+ (refer the relevant passages on kundalini, sahasrara chakra, ajna chakra, etc).] | BG 10.24: || purodhasam ca mukhyam mam viddhi paartha brihaspatim senaninam aham skandah sarasam asmi sagarah || ~ "Of preceptors, O Arjun, know Me to be the chief, Brihaspati. Of leaders I am Skandah, and of bodies of water I am the ocean." ~ Skandah is also known as Devasenapati - leader of the positive forces - the Virupakshas. [Deva = positive entities/forces.] Virupaksha = oblique eyes; Rudraksha (eye of Rudra) and Virupaksha is one and the same. Goddess Parvati - the transcendental form/leela-avatar of the Cosmic Entity (Goddess Adi Shakti) is Rudra-Siva Herself. She is Kailashpati. She is thus Shambhu Nath (the Ruler/Guardian (Nath) of Shambhala. So, Skandah probably was an able leader of the Virupakshas. Skandah and Gauri-tanaya Kartik are taken as one and the same. But then, Skandah is also known as Kartikeya meaning 'of Kartik'. Therefore, in all likelihood, Shanda is Kartik's son. [Probably Kartik and Kartikeya have caused some confusion. Kartik is most closely associated with the lance - given to him by his mother, goddess Parvati.]

(Refer to the earlier part of the above paragraph). However, given that the conditions at the end of Kaliyug will be considerably different from those that prevailed at the end of Dvapar ~ we can expect a mix of Krishn and Chanakya. Keeping the larger/collective/national goals/objectives above him, Chanakya (also known as Kautilya - for his guile and wiles) did not seek power for the sake of power; instead, he maneuvered and out-maneuvered (not to be misconstrued as manipulation, that is indicative of selfish motives), in a series of masterful strokes ~ eschewing myopia/short-term considerations. Instead, he thought of the future, of future generations. He was a problem-solver - a do-er with a rare clarity of purpose, vision and sense of mission, and not merely a talker or idealistic dreamer. His clear-eyed and dispassionate/objective nature (coupled with monk-like self-discipline and focus) probably helped him to take prudent and well-thought-out decisions - that in turn helped him to bring together various regions/nations/cultures/peoples; this temperament also stood him in good stead as an able administrator. Chanakya thus was not the one to squander momentum or to let go of strategic opportunities, indigenous or otherwise. [He wouldn't be Chanakya then.] ~ It is unlikely though that he would have actually advised the state to create issues in order to keep a handle on the people; simply because such a route is self-defeating/counterproductive/detrimental in the mid to long-run; issues never remain constant/unchanged, besides creating diverse mindset as a corollary; issues are an ever-growing list that tends to prolong, meander, get complicated and fester... ultimately weaving their way into the national fabric, thereby impacting and stymieing the stability, prosperity and progress of a nation. [Krishna's kaliya-mardan is an imagery to perhaps convey this aspect.] Chanakya and his doctrine is misunderstood (~ probably lost in translation and editing.) ~ Maybe he referred to the prevailing era and/or gave his views/insights (as a cautionary note) regarding how the end of Kaliyug (the ghor Kaliyug phase) could turn out to be (in the absence of a common or collective roadmap/architecture/framework and Cakravartin, that is). Sharp, alert and possessing plenty of common sense and pithy, unflowery wisdom, he perhaps foresaw it all. ~ Chanakya was a fine statesman, a political scientist and a nation-builder, besides being a very able administrator; he eschewed parochialism, unrealistic/armchair worldview, textbook knowledge/wisdom et al, and clearly understood what needed to be done. Pragmatism and realism coupled with geo-political savvy, drive and far-sightedness helped him to be clear about the priorities; he was also strategic in his outlook (long-term thinking). His reading of events and regional dynamics was thus prescient. Fearless in his choices, meticulous in his preparation (planning - plan of action, strategizing, negotiating, networking, alliance-building... the works), he was not confused or indecisive, nor possessed a unifocal view; he did not choose to look the other way, he did not choose utopian idealism, self-preservation or verbosity - to merely crib and carp/complain and do nothing. Instead, he took the initiative; he chose nishkama karm-yog - the doctrine of action (for a karm-yogi): selfless, positive, tangible and sustained action. Thus, his too was the highest dharmic mission. Else, ancient India would have been trampled + washed away by various torrent (of troubles/calamities) and myriad internal rot. Self-made and selfless, he was an extraordinary figure/personage for/at an extraordinary time/turn of our history. He was the Renaissance man - Yug Purush (refer the relevant passages on Yug Purush). The decadent, venal, vainglorious and tyrannical (allegorical Magadhan python) Dhana Nanda (and his allies) held sway, and later the devastating (allegorical Macedonian python) Alexander was at the gates. ~ Even a semblance of values and ethics (and karm-yog) had taken a backseat... deception, parochialism and survival of the fittest had become order of the day; there was lack of cohesion, distopianism reigned - culminating in a greatly diminished quality of life or degradation of values, including shared values; crumbling of the basic fabric of society and symbolized values ~ resulting in selfishness, gloom and distrust - lack of an underlying feeling of faith and warmth amongst the common people, society was divisive and sort of dysfunctional, people lived in apprehension; humanity was in shambles; might was right; there was sheep in lion's clothing, none realized the gravity of the situation and spirituality was being sold for a price. ... At such a time and scenario - to salvage the situation, to uplift society back on firmer ground, to achieve a turnaround ~ is a gigantic task. It was only with a firm resolve (born out of his long-term vision + the unshakable courage of his convictions) that Chanakya handled the spiraling situation. Steadily navigating through choppy waters and a myriad of tortuous events, relying only on his quiet confidence, intelligence, sagacity and willpower, he united/galvanized a fractured/fractious nation and lay the foundation of a glorious era - that was marked by all-round progress, from the arts to the sciences, literature and innovation as well as trade and other economic activity; as a result ancient India developed from within and evolved into a preeminent nation that shared a multidimensional relationship with other nations. Chanakya did not possess the charm of Krishn; it was his innate ability and extraordinary brilliance that helped him tackle the difficult and myriad situations and challenges. He was valiant (shaurya) - a true braveheart. What he accomplished was phenomenal. He possessed the courage of the mind to make things happen + the mettle of grit and fortitude (inner strength, the strength of his karma) and was clear-eyed enough to recognize the enduring (what was required/needed/necessary, i.e. what had to be done) and what was transient (trivial). Born a commoner but exhibiting the power of an enlightened one - the knower of the Bhagavad-Gita, he achieved the unachievable ~ given the circumstances and given the magnitude of odds and challenges. ... To work out an amicable solution when all seems haywire/precarious - it is only the power of Chanakya that can pin pointedly give an effective solution. As per the Bhagavad-Gita ~ the 10th and final avatar of Lord Vishnu (i.e. the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity) - Bhagavan Kalkiḥ - would be almost like a one-man army (possibly, a Krishn-Chanakya-esque knight-saviour + Renaissance man/Yug Purush, not one-person show). ~ For one who does not fear death... taking control of happenings would be easier - to prevent turmoil/Pralaya on earth + to put things on firmer ground/achieve a turnaround or positive change of course, instead of being pushed deeper into quagmire. [Note: History is not boring, the teacher is. And, if humanity does not learn from history, it tends to repeat itself.] 

[To comprehend rare personages like Krishn and Chanakya - Yug Purush - one needs to really think big. ~ Trying to forcefit them into narrow viewpoints, parochilism, perfunctoryness, indifference, small worldview et al will be misleading. Being trapped within one's own head - courtesy ego, vainglory, etc will cloud the mind and intellect. Greatness or mettle cannot be acquired, just as respect cannot be demanded. ~ Swami Vivekananda, Tagore and Einstein were great - not merely due to their achievements, but 'coz they did not try to imagine themselves as Krishn. They were under no illusions regarding their stature and contributions. ~ 'Coz such personages (Krishn and Chanakya) are epoch-making. ~ Once we are able to comprehend the magnitude of their karm, contribution and purpose, besides the momentum and opportunity they create - when none exist - we can then (perhaps) understand what dharma and karm-yog is all about, what the swan analogy means, and what a nishkama karm-yogi is really like. ~ To answer the call of duty despite spiraling challenges ~ is a test of mettle and calibre. Leadership cannot be acquired. Character cannot be acquired. A change of circumstances will not repair character flaws/weaknesses/deficiencies. Nishkam karm-yog is about shunning bluster, finger-pointing, shortcut-ism/ad hoc-ism, and selfish motives. It is about embracing toil wholeheartedly, about giving one's all - blood, sweat and tears - for a greater cause, for the long-term, for the future - to change well-entrenched mindset, to reform, to bring about an organic cultural shift - to build a better, prosperous, progressive and vibrant society and nation (~ not to be misconstrued as nationalism, though). It is result-oriented action - for the larger/collective good. One has to also be prepared for the myriad barbs, slights, bile, insults and so forth - if one decides to be matsya - the fish - and swim against the tide/flow. Thus the allegories of Neelkanth (the 'blue-throated one') and Ghanshyam (the all-absorbing one). ~ Nishkam karm-yogis are Neelkanth-s - they are not deterred or daunted by frowns and taunts; they not only say/speak but also perform actions that are ground-breaking/pioneering and far-reaching in nature. They, thus, blaze a trail for others to follow. They make it easier for others, while soaking up the barbs, slights and negativism themselves. This helps to 'cleanse' and thus contributes toward a positive/constructive culture shift. They also possess enough guiles and wiles (not to be misconstrued for 'stooping to conquer') - to bring forth the 'amrit' (positive aspects) from amidst a cacophony or cloud of negativism. ~ Only avatars possess this kind of ardent convictions of duty and the unflinching courage of convictions, ingenuity (imagination) and work ethic - to steer the course through tortuous events and choppy waters... to put things on the road to recovery. They thus teach through their own behaviour/actions and lead from the front. They inspire. They are inspirational figures. Eternally.]

There is also a strong possibility that Chanakya infiltrated Alexander's army by getting Chandragupta recruited into it. The latter's humble origins made no difference to the great Master. | Chanakya was a Brahmana, implying erudition.  [~ A "Brahmana" was someone who trod in the path of knowledge.] | He is also addressed by two honorifics: Pandit and Acharya. ~ "Pandit" indicates a wise, learned and enlightened person. "Acharya" means: "He who instructs through his own behavior (acharan)". That is the mark of a true teacher/guru. | One can only marvel at how a brilliant and intrepid young man - with unmatched resiliency, vulcanized via the most trying of circumstances, and who went to Takshashila at the age of sixteen, but had no practical experience whatsoever in the treacherous world of kutniti and politics was (gradually) able to outmaneuver an assortment of experienced and powerful (albeit negative) entities - and that too from a position of weakness + checkmated the rampaging Macedonians - to unite a fractured nation and lay the foundations of a glorious era. ~ He was thus a Renaissance Man, a Yug Purush; he turned the wheel - despite all odds. | His life is a lesson in equanimity; he did not let difficult circumstances/situations/events + an assortment of challenges and impediments deject or demoralize him. Instead, he persevered. He never lost sight of the larger cause - the goals/objective. He never gave up. He was a finisher, he took all that he set out to do across the finish line. | Chanakya is unlike the robotic, unethical entity that he has been made out to be. Though he taught politics and economics at Takshashila, he was essentially a karm-yogi, not a gyan-yogi (refer Krishn's two-fold path or dvi-vidha nistha). Also, his motive, purpose, goals/objective were not selfish. ~ Amatya Rakshasa was the venal and tyrannical Dhana Nanda's trusted aide and minister (amatya)... and did all he could - to humiliate and destroy Chanakya. ... And yet, when the time came the latter was able to look through all that and hand over the baton to the former. Chanakya not only cleverly brought Amatya Rakshasa (real name: Kartikeya) back, but also publicly de-demonized him. ~ A shallow person with a petty mind could not have done this. Thus Chanakya did possess a great deal of character depth. [~ Both Krishn and Chanakya were bathed in real-life struggle, but neither was given to vainglorious behaviour, they did not beat their own drums. | Chanakya is also associated with what can be called the 'porridge-bowl theory' ~ something he imbibed from an unlettered village woman. ... That when handed a piping-hot bowl of porridge, one must not attempt to eat from the middle. Eating from the sides is advisable. ~ This is pithy wisdom. And one is struck by its similarity with Krishn's advise. ~ BG 2.47: || karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi || ~ Do your duty (i.e. imbibe the spirit of dharma - positive/constructive, tangible action for the greater good + individual and collective/cumulative/concerted karm-yog) to the best of your ability. Overcome your limitations. Concentrate on your convergences. Do not highlight your divergences. Shun lethargy. Overcome inertia. Be positive. Never lose hope.]

~ Glimpses of all the major avatars probably can be seen in the Kalkiḥ-avatar. [A merging of various avatars into one form/manifestation - the Universal Form.] 'Coz they are non-different from the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being. And, given that the 10th Vishnu is a 'Sampoorna Avatar' ~ a total, complete, all-encompassing avatar, it is quite possible that this avatar could also be (e.g.) Lord Maitreya Buddha, Saoshyant of the Zoroastrians, the second coming of Christ, and so on. ~ Kalkiḥ Maitreya and Maitreya Buddha (the next Buddha-to-be after Gautama Buddha/Sakyamuni Buddha), share a Shambhala connection - both are said to be the ruler/king of the fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala. | Shambhala is a Sanskrit word that to the Tibetans means "the source of happiness". | Shambhala = Shambhu (Shiv) + Le (of). [So, Shambhala could very well be Kailash.] Therefore, the Kalkiḥ-avatar or Kalkiḥ Maitreya could also be Shambhu Nath - possibly a title or honorific, indicative of the Ruler (Nath) and Guardian/Protector of Shambhala. [BG 10.23: || rudranam sankaras casmi || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" (Rudra-Siva).] ~ Shambhala is also considered to be the real Haridvar. Some believe it to be the actual Manas Sarovara, Prayag, Kailash and Rishikesh or 'Agni Tirtha'. It is a land of immortals. ~ Probably all of these have contributed towards Shambhala being regarded as the world's spiritual powerhouse. | The Hindu and Buddhist alike regard Mt Meru (the central 'mountain' of the world) as the location of the fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala. [Mt Meru: is taken as the true centre of the planet and the world's spiritual powerhouse; it is the heartbeat of whole universe, the base of spiritual consciousness, heart of divinity; it is the center of the cosmos. Its summit is believed to align to the wheeling constellation of Ursa Major, the Seven Stars that circle the Pole (Dhruva Loka?)] | BG 10.23: || meruh sikharinam aham || ~ "and of mountains I am Meru." ~ Mt. Meru is very likely an allegorical mountain. The Dasavatara depicts Lord Vishnu (i.e. the stabilizing/preserving/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being) as supporting Mt. Meru on His back ~ as the Kurma Avatar. | The Śrīvatsa mark on Lord Vishnu's chest, symbolizes His 'consort' Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi as well as His eternal aspect. Vishnu is thus Srivatsankita, the one who bears the sign of Srivatsa. [It is said that the 10th and final Maha Avatar of Lord Vishnu (i.e. the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer aspect of the Primordial Being), the Kalkiḥ-avatar, will be the bearer of the Srivatsa mark. SrivatsavakshaaH is another name of Lord Vishnu ~ the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer aspect of the Primordial Being. ~ Srivatsa is an ancient auspicious symbol in India. The Śrīvatsa mark also adorns the images of the Jain Tirthankaras and of the Buddha.)]

Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi  as the 'consort' of Lord Vishnu i.e. the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer aspect of the Primordial Being ~ may not be literal. It could be indicative of the energy aspect of the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer aspect of the Primordial Being. [Therefore, both the aspects - known as Vishnu and Lakshmi respectively - is Ishvari/Devi Shakti Herself. ~ Our ancients probably assigned different names and nomenclatures to different aspects, energies, and so on - to be able to distinguish between them ~ later these may have been taken literally. ... Thus, Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam: the Power of Creation, Maintenance/Preservation and Dissolution, denoted by the names Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra have come to be regarded as three different entities, instead. ~ Though they are all one and the same - three different aspects of Ishvari/Devi Shakti/Adi Shakti - the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being. | The Lakshmi who is Devi Parvati's daughter is thus a namesake. ~ Perhaps similarity in names have caused later translators to merge the respective narratives.]

~ (Refer the previous paragraph.) | Even our raags or ragas were classified as 'husband', 'wife' and even 'son'. Rāginī is a term for the "feminine" counterpart or "wife" to a rāga. The rāga-rāgini scheme from about the 14th century aligned 6 "male" rāgas with 6 "wives" (rāginis) and a number of sons (putras) and even 'daughters-in-law'. ~ So, taking it literally could be misleading. | The holiest of our raags is Shree Bhairavi ~ named after Shakti; hence Bhairavi is respectfully addressed as Shree Bhairavi. Bhairavi makes use of all the komal swars, Rishabh, Gandhar, Dhaivat, Nishad... and lends itself well to brisk, taut bandishes. Bhairavi is performed early in the morning, and is a powerful raag filled with devotion and compassion. Here is Sharada Maa Bhajan (dedicated to Devi Sarasvati) by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi: link. Bhairavi's looming presence in the Indian musical mind is in no small measure on account of it's close association with this great land's spiritual repertoire. No bhajani baithak can be complete without a generous dose of Bhairavi. | The corresponding raga of Shree Bhairavi is the raga Bhairava (a sampoorn raag). Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kālabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (also spelled Mṛgaśira/Mrigashīrsha ~ November-December. | BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] | Mrigashīrsha - the 5th nakṣatra or lunar mansion - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion, also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient. | Kāla = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the Shabda Brahmn - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - is very auspicious. | Bhairava-Bhairavi represent the concept of ArdhaNarishvari.) In old treatises Bhairava is referred to as the adi-raga and comes attached with a wealth of lore. Bhairava is so fundamental to Indian tradition that its impaction on the nation's musical soul can never be overstated.  | Bhairava and Bhairavi are one and the same ~ two different aspects of Shakti [Primal Cosmic Energy/Cosmic Entity/Ishvari] - as per the ArdhaNarishvari concept.

Here are a few stotra from the Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess'/ also known as the Sri Sri chandipATh): 

|| Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Vissnnumaayeti Shabditaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||6||

6.1: To that Devi Who in All Beings is Called Vishnumaya,
6.2: Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.

Thus, the Vishnu aspect, i.e. the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being ~ is very likely an aspect of the latter's divine powers (Yogmaya). [Note: Sri is a respectful honorific. For female deities this honorific is used twice.]

|| Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Lakssmii-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||20||

20.1: To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Good Fortune (lakssmii), 

20.2: Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.

Thus, Lakshmi is very likely an aspect of Devi [Shakti/Narayani/Adi Shakti]. ~ Therefore, Devi Parvati's daughter is a namesake (similarity in name have resulted in the confluence of narrative.)

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Here is another shloka from Devi Mahatmyam:

|| Sarva-Manggala-Maanggalye Shive Sarvaartha-Saadhike |
Sharannye Trya[i-A]mbake Gauri Naaraayanni Namo[ah-A]stu Te ||

1: (Salutations to You O Narayani) Who is the Auspiciousness in All the Auspicious, Auspiciousness Herself and Complete with All the Auspicious Attributes, 
2: The Giver of Refuge (Sharannye), With Three Eyes (implying Trikalagya - the Master of all things that exist in the past, future, and present) and a Shining Complexion (Gauri); Salutations to You O Narayani. 

Here are a few more stotra from the Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess'/ also known as the Sri Sri chandipATh):  

|| Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam Shakti-Bhuute Sanaatani | 
Gunna-[A]ashraye Gunnamaye Naaraayanni Namo[ah-A]stu Te ||9|| 

9.1: (Salutations to You O Narayani) In Whom is Present the Power of Creation, Maintenance/Preservation and Dissolution (Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra) and Who is Eternal, 
9.2: Who is the Support of the Gunas (all noble aspects, attributes) and the Embodiment of the Gunas; Salutations to You O Narayani. 

[Note: Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam: the Power of Creation, Maintenance/Preservation and Dissolution (distinguished by the names: Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra). | Keshavah - one who is the three: kah Brahma, ah Vishnu and Isa Shiva ~ indicating the power of Creation, Maintenance/Preservation and Dissolution (i.e. the three aspects of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being).]

And therefore, Narayani, as Brahma (the Creator aspect) has created fourteen planetary systems; Narayani sustains, maintains and preserves the universe as Vishnu (the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer aspect) and dissolves the universe at the end of maha-kalpa as Shiva or Rudra. ~ Thus the holy Trimurti is non-different from Narayani. | Narayani is the name of Ishvari/Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being ~ in the infinite, all pervading form. Narayani also means: Enlightened Supreme/Primordial Being. Also: well-wisher and refuge of all beings. 'Coz Ishvari does not discriminate ~ as indicated by the Universal Form of the Primordial.] 

The avatars can be male or female. ~ And this should perhaps explain the Cosmic Duality - the concept of ArdhaNarishvari - its essence, that is. ~ It should (perhaps) also explain as to why the Krishn-avatar or even the Vishnu aspect (i.e. the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being) - is depicted the way they are depicted. ~ It is the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being (Ishvari) as those avatars or aspects. And thus: || Tvameva Mata cha Pita Tvameva | Tvameva Bandhu cha Sakha Tvameva || ~ You are the Mother, And you are the Father, You are the Relative (with Whom we are eternally related as Jiva-atma (Soul-self or mere Self) with Param-atma (the Supreme Self/Higher Self or Supersoul), true Friend, Support, eternal Companion and dearest Confidant.  [Soul/spirit is energy; it has no form or gender.]

|| Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti || ~ Truth (the Eternal/Shaashvata or Sat/Satya; also, timeless essence/knowledge - para vidya) is one, but the wise know/call it as many. | In other words: God is one, but we can approach the Almighty in many ways.

|| Namo Devyai Mahaa-Devyai Shivaayai Satatam Namah |
Namah Prakrtyai Bhadraayai Niyataah Prannataah Sma Taam ||1|| 

1.1: Salutations to the Devi, to the Mahadevi; Salutations Always to Her Who is One with Shiva (the Auspicious One).

1.2: Salutations to Her Who is the Auspicious (being One with Shiva) Primordial Source of Creation and Controller of Everything; We Bow Always to Her. 

[Note: Here, Shiva is not an entity, but a reference to the 6th chakra (Ajna chakra, also known as the symbolic third-eye chakra). The Shiva and the Shakti - the masculine and feminine - join within Sahasrara (the 7th chakra, the highest chakra) to create brahma-ranhdra, the transcendence of both. It is a reference to 'Sudarshan Chakra' as well as the ArdhaNarishvari concept... denoted by the syncretic form of Shiva-Parvati (possibly 6th and 7th chakra). | Ishvari/Shakti is Shivah Herself. She is the Shivah of Sankara/Rudra-Siva/Neelkath/Byomkesh fame ~ in a human/transcendental manifestation (leela-avatars). The way this Shivah is depicted is largely allegorical; however the face is not a rugged face. (For Shiv-Sati and Shiv-Parvati refer the relevant passages.) | Parvati's consort is, therefore, a namesake Shiva... and not the Shiva of Neelkanth/Byomkesh/Sankara/Rudra-Siva fame. The former is not worshipped during Durga Puja. Even Himavat (also known as Himavant, the ruler of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient India and the personification of the Himalayan mountains) - Parvati's father - is believed to not have considered him worthy of his illustrious daughter. [~ This Shiva is thought to have been rather irresponsible and given to spending time in avoidable company. Parvati's consort is unwelcome in her family; during Durga Puja a tiny idol of this Shiva is kept behind the idol of the Goddess - to symbolize this. So, probably, he was a source of considerable disappointment and/or embarrassment and/or annoyance. Devi Parvati also brings up her children. Her consort's involvement is very little. Goddess Parvati seems to have rejected her consort - the namesake Shiva. She does not appear to have done so publicly, though; but there is a subtle severance of the bonds - as can be gathered from the Annapoorna story. ~ Kashi is mentioned - she moved to Kashi along with her children. But then, since the fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala is believed to be the real Haridvar, the actual Manas Sarovar, Kailash, Rishikesh or 'Agni Tirtha' as well as the real Prayag... this story may have actually transpired in Shambhala.] ~ However, given the similarity in name (Rudra-Siva and the consort/namesake Shiva), narratives (probably) have confluenced and merged. The Shiva of Neelkanth/Byomkesh/Sankara/Rudra-Siva fame is Parvati Herself. (And, this perhaps also is a part of the Gemini (the twins) aspect). ~ Himavat's wife and queen consort is Meena or Minavati, the daughter of Mt. Meru. Probably some allegory is involved here. Or maybe Minavati hailed from Shambhala, since the allegorical Mt. Meru is regarded as the location of the fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala. ~ And, therefore, Devi Parvati - popularly known as Goddess Durga - hailed from the ancient Himalaya kingdom and/or Shambhala. And so, very likely, She is the Shivah of Shambhu Nath (~ Ruler/Guardian [Nath] of Shambhala) fame as well. BG 10.25: || sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ || ~ "and of immovable things I am the Himālayas". ~ Therefore, it is unlikely that Parvati actually hailed from the eastern parts of modern India. ... Probably - given her great deeds (which protected and preserved), her fame traveled far and wide - she was respected and revered by all; thus, her story was adopted by other regions too. She became their own. | BG 10.34: || kīrtiḥ śrīr vāk ca nārīṇāḿ smṛtir medhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā || ~ "Among women I am glorious deeds (kīrtiḥ), radiance (śrīr - Gauri), fine speech/persuasion (vāk - think of Devi Sarasvati/Brahmi and the Mohini-avatar), memory/clarity of thought/discernment (smṛtir - think of Devi Parvati and the Mohini-avatar), intelligence (medhā - think of Devi Sarasvati and the Mohini-avatar), resilience/steadfastness (dhṛtiḥ - courage of the mind - think of Devi Sarasvati and Devi Parvati and her various forms) and patience/forgiveness/high-mindedness/magnanimity/nobility of spirit (kṣamā - the ability to rise above selfish interests or pettimindedness)." | Note: Devi Parvati, Vaishnavi or Vaishno Devi, Devi Katyayani, Devi Chamunda, Devi Brahmi or Brahmani (goddess Sarasvati), Devi Narasimhi, Devi Varahi, Devi Maheshvari (also known as Raudri and Rudrani) et al - is all different (female) forms or transcendental manifestations of Goddess Adi Shakti (the Cosmic Entity or Ishvari.)

Devi Parvati's consort - also named Shiva - is very likely the Shiva of the Bhasmasura story. [~ This Shiva is not to be confused for Rudra-Siva - who was also Neelkanth/Sankara/Shambhu Nath/Byomkesh simultaneously. That is Devi Parvati herself. Therefore, the Rudra-Siva of all those glorious deeds was a female. | Devi Adi Shakti - the Cosmic Entity, Ishvari - is also Rudra-Siva since she possesses the powers of dissolution (refer the above stotra-s.) Devi Parvati - popularly known as Goddess Durga - is Goddess Adi Shakti's human manifestation - transcendental avatar.] | Bhasmasura (tr: Ash-Man) performed penance/prayed to or propitiated Shiva = he flattered Shiva (Parvati's consort). ~ So, maybe, this Shiva was a somewhat obtuse character, easily pliable and/or easily susceptible to flattery. ... The power to turn anyone into ash by merely touching their head could be interpreted as disproportionate and detrimental authority. Maybe, Parvati's consort - in a bout of (over)generosity and impulsiveness, or perhaps that was his nature - granted such powers/authority to Bhasmasura, a malevolent/negative entity. (~ This Shiva is known to have had all sorts of bhakts.) However, the wily Bhasmasura - having obtained the said powers/authority - wanted to test it on Shiva himself... prompting the latter to run for dear life - straight to Lord Vishnu (~ the name given to the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity) - Parvati Herself. ~ He narrates his predicament and implores her to rescue him. Thereupon, realizing the threat Bhasmasura posed to humanity (as a result of the disproportionate/detrimental authority), Parvati (as the ace diplomat and negotiator - the Mohini-avatar) meets Bhasmasura... and confuses him sufficiently enough to touch his own head. ~ Thus, Bhasmasura turns into ashes. Touch his own head = self-destruct. | Krishn, a male, is also known as "Mohan". Therefore, "Mohini" is simply the feminine of "Mohan"... and indicates a female. [Mohini means: rare, uncommon.] ~ The 'Sudarshan Chakra' is associated with this avatar - and this itself is indicative of all 16 qualities of a Purna Avatar (one in whom divinity is manifested fully.) | This tale could well be an allegorical and cautionary tale, applicable to all eras/yugs ~ about the flipside of susceptibility to flattery, avoidable company, excessive and unthinking generosity, impulsive nature and/or actions, and so forth and what it could lead to ~ self-inflicted and entirely avoidable troubles. | The other tale involving the Mohini-avatar and Mt. Meru (maybe) can be explained thus: she acquired the (metaphoric/allegoric) pot of 'ambrosia' from the malevolent entities ~ via diplomacy, and returned it to the positive forces; thereby enabling the latter to regain their position/pre-eminence. Thus, the machinations of the malevolent/negative entities came to a naught. (~ The positive entities of course had to perform their collective, sustained and tangible karm-yog - to regain that pre-eminence.) ... This tale too can well be an allegorical tale, applicable to all eras/yugs.] 

Here are a few more stotra from the Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess'/ also known as the Sri Sri chandipATh):

|| Raudraayai Namo Nityaayai Gauryai Dhaatryai Namo Namah |
Jyotsnaayai Ce[a-I]ndu-Ruupinnyai Sukhaayai Satatam Namah ||2|| 

2.1: Salutations to the Rudra, Salutations to the Eternal, the Shining One (Gauryai) and the Supporter of the Universe, 

2.2: Salutations Always to Her, Who has a Cool Brightness like the Moonlit Night, And the Radiant Form of the Moon, and Who is Joy Herself.  

[Note: Devi Shakti is Rudra. Therefore, She is Hari-Hara Herself. And so, the word Virupaksha - with oblique eyes - is used for both the aspects (Hari and Hara - ArdhaNarishvari + Gemini aspect); Virupaksha and Rudraksh (eye of Rudra) are, thus, one and the same. | In Bangla, oblique eyes is also known as lokkhi-tyara; [lokkhi = lakshmi] therefore, Lakshmi/Rudra-Siva/Shakti et al are very likely one and the same. ~ Different forms, different aspects, different eras/yugs, different challenges. ~ And, this should (perhaps) also explain what Hari-Hara Putra (Aiyappa) means. Hari-Hara or Parvati - in some other manifestation (transcendental avatar) - probably was his mother. Hari-Hara Putra and Kartik (Gauri-tanaya) may not be same. Both probably belonged to different eras. | Note: Vishnu and Shiva did not have a son who later came to be known as Hari-Hara Putra (Aiyappa). That is a result of misunderstanding and subsequent mistranslation of the ancient texts. ~ Vishnu (Hari) and Shivah (Hara - Rudra-Siva) are simply two aspects of the Cosmic Entity - Ishvari - Shakti/Adi Shakti - whose human manifestation or transcendental avatar is Devi Parvati. ~ Thus, Ishvari/Shakti/Adi-Shakti/Parvati is Hari-Hara Herself.]

~ And, BG 10.23: || rudranam sankaras casmi || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-Siva].

|| Ati-Saumya-Ati-Raudraayai Nataas-Tasyai Namo Namah |
Namo Jagat-Pratisstthaayai Devyai Krtyai Namo Namah ||5|| 

5.1: Salutations to Her Who is Extremely Serene and Gentle like the Moon and Who is also like Rudra, 
5.2: Salutations to the Devi Who is the Supporter of the Universe and Salutations to Her Who is the Creator of the Universe.

|| Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Cetanety-Abhidhiiyate |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||7||

7.1: To that Devi Who in All Beings is Reflected as Consciousness, 

7.2: Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.

|| Indriyaannaam-Adhisstthaatrii Bhutaanaam Ca-Akhilessu Yaa |
Bhuutessu Satatam Tasyai Vyaapti-Devyai Namo Namah ||27|| 

27.1: (Salutations) To that Devi Who Governs the Faculty of Senses (~ the sentience aspect: the ability to feel, perceive, and comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition) of Beings in All the Worlds, 

27.2: Salutations to Her Who is the Devi Who Always Pervades all Beings.

|| Citi-Ruupenna Yaa Krtsnam-Etad-Vyaapya Sthitaa Jagat |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||28|| 

28.1: (Salutations to Her) Who in the Form of Consciousness Pervades This Universe and Abides in It, 

28.2: Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.

~ And, BG 10.22: || indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana || ~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the living force" ~ (cetana, consciousness; consciousness and conscience are two different things; consciousness [cetana] is awareness, sentience - the ability to feel, think, perceive, comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition/perception.)

Here is Tagore's 'Tumi ki Kebali Chhobi': link02.

... Wonder what Mona Lisa's mysterious smile is all about.

Note on Rudra or Rudra-Siva: Shivam means "kind". Shiva (Sanskrit śiva) means: "the kindly/auspicious one" ~ the Lord of mercy and kindness. | Rudra means: the dispeller of darkness/ignorance/negativism and usherer of peace. Rudra is called "the archer" (Sanskrit: Śarva) and the arrow is an essential attribute of Rudra. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root śarv, which means, "to negate" or "to dispel". Hence, the name Śarva can be interpreted as: "One who can dispel/drive away darkness". The names Dhanvin ("bowman") and Bāṇahasta ("archer", literally: "Armed with arrows in hands"/ Bāṇa = arrow, hasta = hand) also refer to archery/the archer. Rudra is described as armed with a bow and fast-flying arrows (baan/bāṇa). [Vishnu, i.e. the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is also known as "Shaarnga-dhanvaa": One who aims the shaarnga bow.] Rudra-Siva - paradoxical and complex - is the Lord of mercy and kindness. He is also the destroyer and restorer - simultaneously. He first destroys and then restores; that is: he first destroys/dispels ignorance, confusion, illusion, delusion and the like. This brings forth introspection and transformation, change and reform - from within - it is thus an organic process. BG 10.34: || mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatām || ~ "I am all-consuming time, and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (~ Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all that shall come into being." ~ Here is Tagore's 'Aloker ei jharna dharaye dhuiye dao': link. | Rudra: also means: one who makes everyone weep: "ru", to cry or to teach, "rud", to make a person weep, and "dra" to flow. Hence Rudra is considered as a deity who teaches the supreme knowledge to all and whose energy flows in everything. Rudra essentially means, "to go beyond suffering". When the word is split as RU and DRA it implies "flight from lamentation", or "travel away from tears" - a state beyond suffering. Rudra is sometimes referred to as "The Lord or Sovereign of the Universe" (īśānādasya bhuvanasya). Rudra is also "the roarer". In the Rg Veda, Rudra has been praised as the "mightiest of the mighty". Rudra can also mean: "the red one, the brilliant one" from a lost root rud-, "to be red" or "to shine". ~ "rukh draavayathi, iti rudraha" - where 'rukh' means sorrow/misery, 'draavayathi' means to drive out or eliminate and 'iti' means that which or he who, implies 'Rudra' to be the eliminator of darkness/ignorance and usherer of peace. In other contexts the word rudra can simply mean Ekadasa Rudras - the eleven Rudras. [*There are eleven Rudras, of whom Sankara, Rudra-Siva, is preeminent. Goddess Parvati/Durga Herself. ~ Rudra-Siva is also an honorific - for the manifestations or transcendental avatars of the Cosmic Entity - Goddess Adi Shakti... due to their karm and contribution.] In other contexts, the word rudra can simply mean "the number eleven". The word "rudraksha" (Sanskrit: rudrākşa = rudra and akşa "eye"), or "eye of Rudra", is used as a name both for the berry of the Rudraksha tree, and a name for a string of the prayer beads made from those seeds. Rudra is said to have healing remedies, as the best physician of physicians, and as possessed of a thousand medicines. This is described in Rudra-Siva's alternative name Vaidyanatha (Lord of Remedies). [Rudraksha and Virupaksha are thus one and the same.] | Rudra Gayatri Mantra: || yo rudro agnau yo apsu ya oṣadhīṣu yo rudro viśvā bhuvanā viveśa tasmai rudrāya namo astu || ~ "To the Rudra who is fire, who is in water, who is in trees and plants, who has entered into the entire Universe, to that Rudra let our salutations go." | Here is a popular Rabindrasangeet, possibly Tagore's ode to Devi Sarasvati: link. There is forever the Primordial in him. In his songs there emerges all the brilliance of the universe as it goes through a dawning somewhere deep within time and space. ~ What is remarkable though is the similarity of the lyrics with those of the Rudra Gayatri Mantra. ... So, was Devi Sarasvati also Rudra-Siva? [Also, 'coz even Krishn, a male, is Rudra-Siva*. ~ Therefore, Rudra-Siva may not have been a single entity; it perhaps was an honorific too. However, Rudra-Siva does not have a rugged face. 'Coz the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is a female - Ishvari - Adi Shakti or Goddess Shakti. The avatars - including the male ones, like Ram or Krishn, are Her human manifestations or transcendental avatars. Hence, they are not depicted with a rugged countenance. It is symbolic. ~ If we understand this, we can then fully comprehend the concept of ArdhaNarishvari + what Mona Lisa's mysterious smile is all about.]

*BG 10.23: || rudranam sankaras casmi || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-Śiva].

BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring". | Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or lunar mansion - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient). ~ The first two carana/pada (quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha Rāśi or Taurus (bull). The latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi (Gemini). | Gemini - the twins, but that is not literal. [Here, it a reference to the concept of ArdhaNarishvari.] | The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation as Mriga (The Deer). ~ The term Mṛgaśira is a composite of two Sanskrit words, mṛga meaning animal (can also mean: deer) and śira meaning head or precisely, the top of the head. 

Here is Tagore's 'Ogo Kajal Nayona Harini' - possibly yet another ode to Devi Sarasvati: link.  

BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] ~  Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kālabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (also spelled Mṛgaśira/Mrigashīrsha ~ November-December). On this day it is said that Lord Rudra-Śiva appeared on earth in the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava. [Kāla or kaalah = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the Shabda Brahmn - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - is very auspicious. The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is Omswaroop - manifestation of OM or AUM.] 

BG 10.35: || ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ || ~ "and of seasons I am spring." 

~ Makara Sankranti (or Pongal) marks the beginning of Uttarayan. [This time of year is generally associated with Sarasvati and Vishnu (the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity.)] | Uttarayan begins from the day of Makara Sankranti ~ heralding the arrival of spring and marking the beginning of Vasant Panchami (~ also known as: Shree Panchami/Sarasvati Puja] - to pay our respect for knowledge and learning. | 'Vasant' comes from the word 'spring' as this festival heralds the beginning of the spring season. New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the promise of new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big springtime event - Holi, the festival of colours. | Uttarayan is a combination of two Sanskrit words, 'uttar' meaning northward and 'ayan' meaning movement towards. It celebrates the sun-god's northward movement. ~ It was on this day that Lord Vishnu is believed to have (symbolically curbed)/buried the heads of ever-increasing negativism (euphemistically known as Asuras) under the Mandar Parvat (Mt. Meru - the central 'mountain' of the world.) So this occasion also represents the beginning of a new era. (The Dasavatara depicts Lord Vishnu - i.e. the stabilizing/preserving/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being - as supporting Mt. Meru on his back ~ as the Kurma Avatar.) | Many people also conflate Makara Sankranti (Uttarayan) with the Winter Solstice (which falls on December 21/22).

~ Thus, Rudra-Śiva, Hari-Hara, Vishnu-Rudra, Sankara, Neelkanth, Shakti (Goddess Adi Shakti), Parvati, Krishn, Shri Ram, Dasavatara, etc are all one and the same. ~ Different forms (male and female of the Cosmic Entity - Ishvari - Goddess Adi Shakti) ~ different times, different eras and different challenges. 

~ Here is Tagore's ode to destiny (Devi Sarasvati) - 'Mayabano Biharini Harini': link 

[~ And this should help us understand what the golden deer mentioned in the Ramayana ('The Exertions of Shri Ram') means. But then, Shri Ram is also a manifestation or transcendental avatar of the Cosmic Entity. Ravana was not quite a negative entity per se, but (his favourite son) Meghnaad was. And, Ravana (later) succumbed to his base nature - excessive ego, vainglory and anger - which in turn clouded his better judgement. Ravana's ten heads alludes to this; it also represents ten kingdoms. Despite this, Ravana was not a Cakravartin-raja. [Top-heavy and 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.] ~ Mandodari - Ravana's queen - was Sita's real mother; both were so alike that even Hanuman-ji was confused. | After the fall of Ravana, and the dismantling of various weaponry - the sagacious Vibhisana (Ravana's younger brother) was installed on the throne - by Shri Ram. Vibhisana, Ram, Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman-ji, Angad, Riksharaj Jambavan et al became firm friends and allies. Thus, Ayodhaya, Lanka, Kishkindha, etc became firm allies. It was a multidimensional relationship, almost a confederation, and not merely a transactional alliance. Peace was restored. And this would have given a fillip to trade and other economic activity, besides curbing unwanted wars... and drainage of resources.]

And, Devi Sarasvati is Varadey Kaamarupinee (~ the fulfiller of wishes. In other words: Destiny or 'Lady Luck'. Kaamarupinee = kamadhenu).

BG 10.28: || dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk || ~ "among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as kamadhenu - the "wish-fulfilling cow" ~ possibly a metaphor for prosperity, luck, etc.) 

~ Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda. (~ Cows emerging out of mountains - is a reference to various rivers; in the Arya 'way of life' rivers and water-bodies were not polluted. | This should also help us understand what 'cows' are associated with Krishn. Gopa = ruler, king. | Also, Krishn is associated with Prachya - Eastern Country - Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks, not Madhyadesha - Middle Country.)

... Tagore's "Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka..." (ruler/leader/captain of the minds of all people) - our national anthem - too is an ode to that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. Lord of Destiny] - who (in Tagore's own words) "has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved." [Here is the complete five stanzas: link.] | Tagore says, Chir-saarathy; it means: perennial guide. ~ Lord Krishn is depicted with feminine features, it is symbolic. Possibly to indicate: it is Goddess Sarasvati (Destiny) as Lord Krishn - at yet another crucial turn of our history. 

Here is 'Mor Bina Othe': link  

Here is 'Chaander Haasir Baandh Bhengechhe': link. | 'Neel gaganer lalatkhani chandan-e aaj makha, banibaner hamsa-mithun melechhe aaj pakha | Parijaater keshar niye dharaye, sashi, chadao ki e | Indrapuri-r kon ramoni bashar pradeep jaalo.' - This sublime composition transcends an ode to Goddess Sarasvati (Destiny). | Also, BG 10.25: || aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ || ~ "Of all trees I am the (asvatthah)" - fig tree (it can mean: banyan tree as well as the Peepal/aśvatthaḥ, or maybe both). ~ The Parijaat tree (Kalpataru or Kalpavrisha - wish-bearing tree) is very likely the peepal. It is associated with heaven (svargaloka); parts of the ancient Himalayan kingdom too can be associated with svarga on earth.

Tagore - a multifaceted personality: universal bard, renaissance poet and a veritable colossus; a versatile genuis, a public figure of peerless eminence, a playwright/dramatist/lyricist, a thought leader, a humanitarian, a genuine science enthusiast and one of the finest ambassadors of Indian/Eastern thought and philosophy to the rest of the world. The maestro's oeuvre is the life-work of a titan. ~ To understand the three most important notions in philosophy (darshan-sastra): of harmony, balance, and integrity - Tagore delved into the bottomless treasure-trove of the Upanishads, and these he imbibed. He let these ideas define him, not in the sense of limiting him, but lifting him up to meet the Higher Self (the Supersoul). ~ And this also gave his poetry its distinctive character.

The Gayatri Mantra/Savitr Mantra: || AUM Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat [link2] || ~ Aum. Let the light of Savitri enter into My Spirit and illumine My mind and Enrich My Spirit. 

[~ The Gayatri Mantra is also known as Savitr Mantra; Savitr means the Sun (Surya-dev), the majestic effulgent Sun-god (jyotiḥ, Sūrya, Aaditya) - Pratyaksh-Brahmn - the manifest (pratyaksh) God ~ who symbolizes, the One, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one and all. ~ This 24-syllable hymn from the Rig Veda is the greatest of all mantras; one of the most auspicious and oldest of mantras, it is considered one of the most universal of all mantras, invoking the universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness/Param-atma as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial sun.]

~ BG 10.35: || gāyatrī chandasām aham || ~ "I am Gāyatrī mantra among the Vedic mantras." 

Devi Sarasvati, the Goddess of Learning, is the deity of Gayatri, the fountain of fine arts and science, and the symbol of supreme Vedantic knowledge; she is also Savitri - the goddess of dawn who dispels the fog of ignorance and confusion and lights the diya or lamp of Eternal Knowledge/Para Vidya. [The Sanskrit word sara means essence and sva means self. Thus, Sarasvati denotes the essence of the self. She is also known as 'Veena-pustak dharini' or bearer of the musical instrument (veena) and a book (pustak).]

India in Tagore's vision is the pilgrimage (pilgrim centre) of world humanity as she is the great synthesizer and unifier in the midst of manifold differences through centuries. The bard wrote: "... Hethay shobarey hobe milibarey anato shirey, aaji Bharat-er mahamanob-er sagaro-tirey." ~ Tagore's sublime "Mahamanober Shagoro Tirey" ('Indian Pilgrimage' or 'India - the Pilgrim Centre') goes much beyond unity in diversity. | During his travels and lecture-tours he carried his message of human unity to all the important countries of Asia, America and Europe. He believed that "True knowledge is that which perceives the unity of all things in God." ~ Tagore's philosophical and spiritual thoughts transcend all limits of language, culture, and nationality. In his writings, the poet endowed with intuitive perception takes us on a spiritual quest and gives us a glimpse of the infinite in the midst of the finite, unity at the heart of all diversity, and the Divine in all beings and things of the universe. Tagore, the universal bard brought out the essence of Eastern spirituality in his poetry like no other poet. | Tagore, almost as a pilgrim, moved around the world either in person or in his thoughts - to search for the universalism of humanity, or the wholeness of being. Much of what Tagore experienced in life has been expressed in songs with musical and verbal imagery and rhythms designed to support and enhance each other. [~ Those who are familiar with the original in Bangla can never quite be satiated with their English translations.] ~ To Tagore, reality was not an idea, but rather that ecstatic awakening when God and the soul (human soul or jiva-atma) in a vivid and transcendent moment of communion are known to be one [~ eternal bliss/contentment/spiritual ecstasy of "self-realization" ~ Sat-cit-ānanda. The confluence of the universal consciousness or Supersoul with the mere Self or Jiva-atma.] Tagore's religion of humanity is the awakening of the individual self's ego-consciousness in the universal consciousness - a process of realizing the Infinite 'I' within the finite 'I', or a process of transcending the narrow or self-centred philosophy to the philosophy of life. ~ It is brilliantly conveyed through 'Nirjarer Swapnabhango' ('Awakening of the Fountain'). His gift of lyricism and song shines forth. Tagore's poetry is not mere phrasal dexterity or tuneless ditties, rather it is genuine passion felt in the heart's deep core; it is refreshing to say the least. It is like a draught from a pure spring, or a spiritual oasis in a desert of poetic wasteland. 

Here is 'Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye': link. |  '... Tabo bhubhaney tabo bhabhaney morey aaro aaro aaro dao sthan | Aaro alo, aaro alo, ei nayaney prabhu (My Lord) dhalo | surey surey banshi purey tumi aaro aaro aaro dao taan. ... Mor aami (ego-consciousness) dube jak nemey sudhadharey aponare (universal consciousness/Supersoul) tumi aaro aaro aaro karo daan' ~ Tagore is referring to the spiritual ecstasy of 'self-realization' (~ the confluence of the mere Self/finite with the Higher Self/Infinite).

Sheemar majhe ashim tumi / bajao apon shur (Within the finites, you the Infinite play your own tune - link). ~ It is a song that takes you closer to Creation, indeed imbues you with thoughts of the ties that bind you to your Creator.

Here is 'Jagorane Jaay Bibhabori': link. 

Here is 'Oi Mahamanaba Aashe' (Cometh the great one): link. 

Here is 'Akash Bhora Surjo Tara': link.    

................................................................... 

Krishn is very simple... and at the same time infinitely sublime. [BG 10.32: || vādaḥ pravadatām aham || ~ "I am logic of the logician".] ~ He is characterized by nobility/noble-mindedness; quietly magnificent; exalted, rather of ultimate spiritual and intellectual quality; inspiring reverence and wonder because of its nobility, grandeur and immensity. ~ Thus he is Gabheeratma: whose essence is beyond understanding, one who is too deep to be fathomed (refer Meghavarnam). [~ And so, it is said that Mahat or Ishvara (Primal Creative Energy) - the Cosmic Entity/Being - the highest possible conception of Brahmn (the one self-existent impersonal spirit, the Divine Essence), is beyond all thought.] | He exhorts/advises humanity to collective action; his call is a call to duty (right actions for the greater good) - to combined/collaborative action/karm-yog - to walk the talk - for the larger good - Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha ("welfare of all" - the common good: to build and sustain a better [prosperous, progressive and inclusive] society/civilization.) | Literal translations, over-simplification or over-complication are misleading. [~ One needs to contemplate and deliberate deeply - to understand/comprehend his purpose, his karm and his message/advise/guidance/guidelines - now known as the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Only then it will percolate.] 

He speaks in sublime metaphors, allegories, similies, and so on. So, when he says: || jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś cāsmi || ~ "I am the crocodile among the fishes" (can also mean aquatic creatures) - it is not literal. ~ A crocodile can be associated with patience and precision - yes, but crocodile is makara in Sanskrit; it is associated with Makara Sankranti (also known as: Pongal) - the most important Sankranti and one of the most auspicious occasions, signifying renewal/re-energizing (it is [therefore] regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase). Sankranti means transition; transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi (constellation of the zodiac in Indian astronomy) to the next. Makara Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rasi (Capricorn). Scientifically, this day marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights; thus the chill of winter in on decline. In other words, Sankranti marks the termination/closure of winter season and beginning of a new harvest or spring season. ~ It is perhaps the only festival/occasion whose date always falls on the same day every year: 14 January, with some exceptions, when the festival is celebrated on 13 January or 15 January (in a leap year). Makara Sankranti marks the arrival of spring in India. ... And the spring season is associated with Krishn; he is the personification of spring. BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring" (maybe that's why Shyamsundar Krishn is the personification of spring. He is Lord of Nature. The spring season also [symbolically] indicates a new beginning.) [Note: Agrahāyaṇa or Mārgaśīrṣa: The word Agrahāyaṇa means the month of Ayana or Equinox (agra = first + ayana = travel of the sun, equinox). AgrahAYanI is related to 'beginning of the year'.] 

~ Makara Sankranti is the day when the majestic Sun-god (Suryadev/Pratyaksh-Brahmn) begins his movement towards the northern hemisphere, and thus it signifies: 'Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya' - may you go higher and higher, towards more and more Light (knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on). It is the time to shun negative thinking (downward slide, etc); positive thinking is re-energizing. ~ The Sun-god stands for an embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on. He also stands for Pratyaksha-Brahmn - the manifest God - who symbolizes, the one, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one and all.] ~ Makara Sankranti signifies renewal/new life: to turn away from the (symbolic) 'darkness'/confusion of delusion, ignorance, pessimism, et al, and to begin to build a new life with bright light/auspicious effulgence/light divine (within us) - to shine brighter and brighter (i.e. to progress, flourish and prosper). It is a festival/occasion celebrated all over the country with great fervour, gaiety and kite-flying. [Note: the Shankhachil or "Brahminy Kite" is distinctive and contrastingly coloured, with chestnut plumage except for the white head and chest and black wing tips. In India, the noble-natured Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) is considered as the contemporary representation of Garuda, the 'vaahan' of Lord Narayan/Vishnu. ~ The Brahminy Kite (often referred to as the Singapore Bald Eagle) is also called Shankhachil, 'coz the white plumage of this bird is similar to the white of a conch-shell. ~ Brahminy is derived from Brhm (pure knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment, and so on) or Brahmn - Universal Consciousness.]


~ If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? asked Shelley. 

Spring/Rituraj - the King of all seasons - represents beauty, new life, and creation. [~ To understand the true significance of the spring festival/Vasant Panchami it is important to understand the essence of Goddess Sarasvati, the presiding deity of learning, aesthetics and creativity.] ~ Post-Makara Sankranti, when the earth begins to get closer to the sun, the cold winter begins to yield to delightful spring. Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of Vasant or spring, when it is time for every tree, branch and bower to spring to new life with blooms and bursts of colour and fragrance, vibrant in festive display. The flower (kusumā) is a beautiful symbol of life and regeneration. ~ Hence the spring season is Kusumakar (kusumākaraḥ) or Rituraj, the king of all seasons [BG 10.35: ~ ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ - "and of seasons I am spring"]. ... Krishn not only associates himself with trees and plants... but also with animals, aquatic creatures, birds, etc. ~ Maybe to indicate that as the Creator he does not discriminate. [Thus, he is suhrit: Friend of all creatures. In other words: Pasupati. ~ However, pasu does not mean animals alone; it refers to all creatures - and so, the animals depicted in the "Pasupati Seal" are very likely allegorical.) ~ Lord Krishn is, after all, the manifestation of the universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness.] ~ But then, even Einstein advised not to judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree.

Uttarayan begins from the day of Makara Sankranti (January 14, 2014)... heralding the arrival of spring and marking the beginning of Vasant Panchami (~ also known as: Shree Panchami/Sarasvati Puja [04/02/2014] - to pay our respect for knowledge and learning. | 'Vasant' comes from the word 'spring' as this festival heralds the beginning of the spring season. New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the promise of new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big springtime event - Holi, the festival of colours. Here is: 'Esho Shyamala Sundara': link.

[Note: Tagore said: 'Naba Anande Jaago': link. ~ ParaBrahmn/Brahmn is Universal Consciousness (Cosmic Light or Light Divine). Pratyaksha-Brahmn - the manifest (pratyaksh) God, who symbolizes, the One, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one and all is the Sun-god (Suryadev). ~ The Sun-god stands for an embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on. ~ Refer the relevant passages on Makara Sankranti/Pongal.]

Narayan Gayatri Mantra: || Om Narayanaye Vidmahe, Vasudevaya Dhimahi, Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat || ~ "OM. Let us meditate on Sri Narayana, the Lord who dwells in all beings, and is known as the Sovereign of the world. May that Sri Vishnu inspire and illumine our mind and understanding." | Alternatively: "OM. Let us meditate on the Great Lord Narayana who pervades all creation. May that glorious Maha Vishnu, who appeared on Earth as the adorable Sri Krishna, son of Vasudeva, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding."

|| Mangalam Bhagavaan Vishnu Mangalam Garuda-Dhvaja Mangalam Pundarikaaksho Mangalaayatano Hari || ~ Mangalam = auspicious. Mangalaayatano = manifestation of auspiciousness. Pundarikaaksho = lotus-eyed or large-eyed; one whose eyes are shaped like lotus petals. [Puṇḍarīka/Pundarika or Pankaja/Svetakamala/Dhavala (pronounced: DA wahl) kamala/Shubhra Kamala is "white/pure white lotus". Pure white signifies pristine, embodiment of pure knowledge (Para Vidya). It also signifies tranquility.] Garuda-Dhvaja = the symbol or insignia of Lord Narayan. | Lord Narayan is also shown holding a lotus flower; it is usually pale red in colour. [The pale-red lotus is padma in Sanskrit.] This is the supreme lotus, for the highest deity. Lord Narayan is Anish - Supreme; He is Aadinath - the Cosmic/Primordial Being/the Foremost: the Highest Creative Intelligence; the Lord of Creation - Creator of the universe (and all that is to be found within it); the motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universes (in other words: the supreme authority of the universe/cosmos - Jagat-patih.) 

The Gayatri Mantra/Savitr Mantra: || AUM Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat [link2] || ~ Let the light of Savitri enter into My Spirit and illumine My mind and Enrich My Spirit. [~ The Gayatri Mantra is also known as Savitr Mantra; Savitr means the Sun (Surya-dev), the majestic effulgent Sun-god (jyotiḥ, Sūrya, Aaditya) - Pratyaksh-Brahmn - the manifest (pratyaksh) God ~ who symbolizes, the One, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one and all.] 

The Gayatri Mantra - a 24-syllable hymn from the Rig Ved is the greatest of all mantras; one of the most auspicious and oldest of mantras, it is considered one of the most universal of all mantras, invoking the universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial Sun. ~ BG 10.35: || gāyatrī chandasām aham || ~ I am Gāyatrī mantra among the Vedic mantras. [~ Krishn is essentially indicating that He is the manifestation of that (unmanifested) universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness (Cosmic Light or Light Divine). Devi Sarasvati, the Goddess of Learning, is the deity of Gayatri; she is also Savitri - the goddess of dawn.] ~ (Do also read the relevant passages on Gayatri Mantra.) | The phrase OM Bhoor Bhuvah Svah is added to the mantra, when it is recited. OM represents the Supreme Consciousness/Universal Consciousness/universal Brahmn, and the Bhoor, Bhuvah and Svah are the three planes or levels of consciousness. tat savitur varenyam means "that revered God (Surya-dev, the self-effulgent majestic Sun-god - Pratyaksh/Manifest-Brahmn - the manifestation of whom is Gayatri)"; bhargo devasya dhimahi means "dispel the ignorance with divine wisdom"; dhiyo yo nah prachodayat means "lead our intellects (buddhi) and energy in right direction". | Savitur: The creative principle of light manifesting through the sun (Surya-dev/Sun-god).

|| Sarasvati Mahabhage Vidye Kamalalochane Vishwaroope Vishaalaakshi Vidyam Dehi Namosthute || ~ O, the great Goddess Sarasvati, the lotus-eyed personified knowledge... O, large-eyed Goddess, taking the form of the whole universe, thou shower us with all the powers and glories of all knowledge that exist.

Sarasvati Gayatri Mantra: || OM Sarasvatyei Vidmahe, Brahmaputriye Dhimahi, Tanno Devi Prachodayat [link1] || ~ "OM. May we meditate on the Great Goddess Sri Sarasvati, the embodiment/manifestation of the Sun-God/Pratyaksh-Brahmn as well as Brhm/Brahma* (knowledge, learning, wisdom, culture, enlightenment, creativity, and so on). May that effulgent Maha Sarasvati Devi inspire and illumine our mind and understanding." [Hence she is known as *Brahmi.]

Surya Gayatri Mantra: || OM Baskaraya Vidhmahe, Divakaraya Dhimahi, Tanno Suryah Pracodayat || ~ "OM. May we realize Bhaskara, the shining one. Let us meditate on that Divakara, the presiding deity over the day, and may that Surya, the sun god, illumine our mind and understanding." 

The Sanskrit word sara means essence and sva means self. Thus Sarasvati denotes the essence of the self. She is also Savitri - the goddess of dawn (refer the passages on Gayatri/Savitr Mantra) who dispels the fog of ignorance and lights the diya or lamp of Eternal Knowledge/Para Vidya. ~ Sri Sarasvati is considered as the daughter of the Sun-god (Surya-dev - Pratyaksh/Manifest-Brahmn) or Surya Kanya - the Goddess of Learning, the deity of Gayatri (refer the passages on Gayatri Mantra), the fountain of fine arts and science, and the symbol of supreme Vedantic knowledge. She is said to have invented Sanskrit, known as the mother of all languages, of scriptures and scholarship. It is also believed that it was her who discovered soma or amrita (*Somras?). The day (Sarasvati Puja day) is considered particularly auspicious for initiation into the realm of knowledge... and so, on the day of Sarasvati Puja, children are taught reading and writing their first word - in a symbolic initiation. Besides floral offerings (especially marigold and palash/kiṁśuka/Flame of the Forest - link3), books, musical instruments, and other objects related to the arts and scholarship are placed in front of the goddess to receive her blessings (~ all objects of writing and study are not used that day, but worshipped in veneration of the process of learning.) Earthen ink-pots (dawat: a = pronounced as "awe") and bamboo quills (khAger kalam / khAger: A = aa; kalam: here, a = pronounced as "awe"; though many spell it as kolom, but O = the Sanskrit "o") too are placed before her. The ink is made from unboiled milk water, red colour powder and silver glitter called abhro. On this day nobody writes or read any books. (~ This signifies that the goddess bless the learners through the books placed in front of her.) Sarasvati is the patron of libraries; the goddess can also be symbolized by something as simple as a book, or an inkstand and a pen. School children, students, teachers, academicians, scientists, artists and craftsmen worship her to seek guidance and blessing. On her day of worship (Sarasvati Puja), offerings and flowers (marigold and palash) are placed in front of a symbol of the goddess and prayers (Sanskrit hymns) are chanted. Alpana/Rangoli - the design of a fish is considered auspicious. Students set a book aside for her to bless. Many worship their equipment - ploughs, carts, etc - because wisdom need not be acquired only through books. ~ Charnamrit is distributed at the end of the puja, while 'bhog prasad' (sweets made of khowa and paneer - like sandesh and barfi; shankalu (jicama) - the name derives from alu (tuber) and white shankh, which means conch, refers to its pearly white flesh; different types of fruits including guava, apples, dates, sugarcane, kul (Indian plum/Indian jijube); poori/luchi, baingan bhaja/fried eggplant, aloo ki sabji and halwa) from the offering (bhog) is consumed at the end of the puja. ['Bhuni mung ki khichri' (made with roasted mung dal and ghee), mixed vegetable curry called 'labra', chutney, papad and chaler payesh/rice kheer pudding too are eaten on Sarasvati Puja day.] Students also keep some flowers from the Goddess's feet inside their books - as symbolic blessing (for good results in forthcoming examinations.) | The correct Vedic pronunciation is 'Sarasvati', though many pronounce it as 'Saraswati'. She is known as 'Veena-pustak dharini' or bearer of the musical instrument (veena), and a book (pustak). Sarasvati Mantra, 'Pranam mantra' or Sanskrit prayer: || OM Sarasvati Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamalalochaney | Viswarupey Vishalakshi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey || Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta Haarey | Veena Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati, Devi Namohastutey || ~ O, the great Goddess Sarasvati, the lotus-eyed personified knowledge... O, large-eyed Goddess, taking the form of the whole universe, thou shower us with all the powers and glories of all knowledge that exist. | Salutations to the Goddess who is wisdom personified, who is the Goddess of knowledge and arts, whose essence is all-pervading; who is serene and adorned in radiant white attire; who is bearer of the musical instrument (veena) and a book (pustak); O wise and benevolent Goddess Sarasvati (Bharati - the Goddess of fine speech/persuasive powers/ vāk or vāc), we pay our respectful obeisance unto you. May you bless and guide us.

[*Note: Somras wasn't quite the 'elixir of immortality' (amrita); it is unlikely that such a drink ever existed. ~ Somras or Somaras probably was prepared from ingredients - some of which (very likely) no longer exist, and so, the Somaras too went into a Nirvikalpa Samadhi to awaken to moksha. Somras or Somaras was meant only for those who pursued the path of Brhm (knowledge); others consumed (e.g.) Madhu (prepared from grapes, etc). ~ Therefore, Somras or Somaras probably helped their mind (manas) to connect (yog) to the various layers of the universe/cosmos, and to other elements of nature, and so on, besides also boosting their energy, immunity and physical endurance. The ancient Vedic rishis and munis perhaps used it to take energy from the aether to awaken kundalini energy - to further their understanding of Vigjnana/Vedic Science - Laghima (becoming almost weightless/anti-gravity: ancient Vimanas - which were much more advanced than modern aircrafts - utilized this concept), Garima (becoming infinitely heavy/gravity-resistant), Aṇimā (reducing one's body even to the size of an aṇu/atom, i.e. infinite smallness; so aṇu is probably derived from aṇimā, though it may have been smaller than an atom), maybe even that of Pranavayu and Udanavayu (oxygen and hydrogen), and so on. (The Bose-Einstein condensate probably used the concept of "Avichi" [meaning waveless] and "Garbhodaka Ocean" that lies at the bottom of the universe; possibly a reference to the "sea" of Bose-Einstein Condensate that exists below the physical plane.) ~ The rishis and munis of yore were exceptionally learned beings, and pursued the path of knowledge (Brhm); therefore, Rishi, Maharshi and Brhmarishi were (very likely) honorifics - to indicate their levels of jnana. (Brhmarishi probably indicated the highest level.) | The terms force and matter is used for the Sanskrit terms Prana and Akasha (e.g. **Swami Vivekananda), though some (e.g. Tesla) understood these Sanskrit terms as energy and mass. (~ It is possible though that in the first half of the previous century, force and energy were not always clearly differentiated. Energy is considered to be a more proper translation of the Sanskrit term Prana.) | Soma becomes Haoma in the Avestan language, on account of the change in phonetics: wherein 'S' becomes 'Ha'. ~ A city called Hamunaptra was found in India in the 1850s when British engineers, trying to build a railroad, pillaged the area for bricks. In the 1920s, archaeologists began serious excavations. They found at the site a lost civilization; it was a complex/diversified, literate, urbanized, centrally located society; raw materials located in the area indicated that the civilization had long-distance trade with Mesopotamia. The civilization ended between 1900 and 1700 BC. ~ Perhaps due to a combination of factors, such as: climate change, change in rainfall pattern, rise in pollution levels, decline in trade, multiple challenges arising out of over expansion, and so on; maybe even a massive earthquake and/or flood. ~ Was Hamunaptra derived from Somaputra ~ my guess is as good as yours. | It is possible that later, other varieties of Somras or Somaras were discovered. The ancient Gandharva (do read the relevant passages on Gandharva) as well as the ancient Yaksha people (small-sized humans; e.g. Manthara is mentioned as Vamani, therefore, she was very likely a Yakshi; even Hanumanji was helped/guided by the Yaksha people to identify the hill with the medicinal herbs - sanjivni-booti - to revive Lakshman) too may have been aware of the ingredients required to make this variety of "Somras" - due to their extensive knowledge of plants and herbs. Probably: some variant of the "Asvagandha" was an important ingredient for this drink, since this herb is still known to enhance immunity and physical endurance, apart from its anti-inflammatory effects, besides being a traditional treatment for general fatigue, nervous exhaustion, malnutrition, insomnia, etc. (Note the presence of som in insomnia.) ~ Ashvagandha in Sanskrit means: "horse's smell" (ashva = horse, gandha = smell), probably also originating from the odour of its root which is similar to that of a sweaty horse. Thus this new variety of Somras probably infused anyone that partook of it with the strength/power of a horse; the metaphoric horse-power. ~ Even the shatavari and the licorice too may have gone into making this variety of Somras/Somaras. All these herbs are known to give the body and mind an energy boost or ojas (vigour), and hence, are referred to as 'soma-producing herbs' in Ayurveda. Therefore, "som" or "soma" may have been a reference to various vigour-enhancing herbs - that were required to prepare this energy drink. ~ However, it is possible that over time one or the other of the ingredients gradually disappeared from the face of the earth... and so, had to be replaced by lesser or alternative ingredients - the effect of which may not have been quite the same. ~ Thus, the later types of Somras or Somaras may not have been a uniform, homogeneous drink; in other words: there probably was various types of Somras: one for enduring the cold weather, another for curing various ailments, yet another for enhancing one's stamina (getting an energy boost), so on and so forth. ~ And this is quite reminiscent of the Druid Getafix's "magic potion" that worked wonders for the Gauls - by infusing them with awesome power.

**Brahmn is defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return. Mahat or Ishvara (Primal Creative Energy) is the Cosmic Ruler/Cosmic Entity/Being - the highest possible conception of the Absolute, which is beyond all thought. (Mahat means literally the Great One, and is also interpreted as meaning universal mind or cosmic intelligence. Prana means energy [usually translated as life force] and Akasha means matter [usually translated as aether].) | Swami Vivekananda met with many of the well-known scientists of the time including Professor Helmholtz, Lord Kelvin and ***Nikola Tesla (the great scientist who specialized in the field of electricity.) | The meeting with the Swamiji greatly stimulated Tesla's interest in Eastern Science; Vivekananda's explanation of the Samkhya cosmogony and the theory of cycles given by the Vedas impressed him immensely. He was particularly struck by the resemblance between the Samkhya theory of matter and energy and that of modern physics. Swamiji later remarked during a lecture in India, "I myself have been told by some of the best scientific minds of the day, how wonderfully rational the conclusions of the Vedanta are. I know of one of them personally, who scarcely has time to eat his meal, or go out of his laboratory, but who would stand by the hour to attend my lectures on the Vedanta; for, as he expresses it, they are so scientific, they so exactly harmonize with the aspirations of the age and with the conclusions to which modern science is coming at the present time". Maybe Swamiji was hopeful that Tesla would be able to show that what we call matter is simply potential energy because that would reconcile the teachings of the Vedas with modern science. Tesla understood the Sanskrit terminology and philosophy and found that it was a good means to describe the physical mechanisms of the universe as seen through his eyes. (It would behoove anyone attempting to understand the science behind the inventions of Nikola Tesla to study Sanskrit and Vedic philosophy.) ~ Tesla apparently was unable to show the identity of energy and matter. The mathematical proof of the principle did come until about ten years later when Albert Einstein published his paper on relativity. ... Thus, the West then knew what had been known in the East for millenniums. 

***Born, so the stories go, in the middle of a thunderstorm in Serbia, Tesla has left a fascinating legacy to the world today. Magnetism is measured in Tesla, a unit named after him. He also showed that alternating current (A/C) was superior to direct current (D/C) - when it came to transmitting electricity over a distance. If he hadn't... the world would have been filled with electrical substations at the end of each road, because D/C doesn't do distance well. [~ AC is better for distributing power over a distance because it allows the easy changing of voltages with a transformer. Power is calculated as current times voltage (P = IV). For a given amount of power to be sent, a low voltage requires a higher current. But metal conducting wires have resistance; some of that precious power will be lost as heat in the wires. Power loss is given by P = I²R. So from this its obvious that low-voltage, high-current transmissions will cause a much greater power loss than high-voltage, low-current ones. This fact holds whether DC or AC is used. ~ But, and here is the clincher, transforming DC power from one voltage to another is difficult and expensive. But with AC these voltage changes can be done with simple and cheap transformer coils with no moving parts and no maintenance. Tesla wins in theory and in practice. | He also claimed to have worked out a 'dynamic theory of gravity' - even Einstein was unsuccessful at this - but it is yet to be published. So whether it is about plugging in mobile phone chargers or using wifi, it was Tesla, the unsung genius who made it all possible. His alternating current system for one still keeps the world alight to the present day. His other inventions and theories... all represent engineering feats of revolutionary capacity, opening new vistas of scientific advancement since their inception. | The question now, when one considers the current technological advances, the global energy demands and the effects on nature and climate, is - who will be the next great Tesla, to transform our technology age with a new way of thinking? 

Note on Swami Vivekananda: 'If you want to know India, study Vivekananda. In him everything is positive and nothing negative.' was Rabindranath Tagore's advice to Romain Rolland (~ French dramatist, novelist, essayist and art historian who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1915 "as a tribute to the lofty idealism of his literary production and to the sympathy and love of truth with which he has described different types of human beings".) [More on Tagore: link.]

Swamiji's stature makes him a universal figure. Vivekananda's message was really the message of modern humanity. His personality was rich and profound; unceasing in his activity, boundless in his love, profound and versatile in his wisdom, exuberant in his emotions - he was indeed a rare personality. ~ A fighter (for humanity, for universalism, and so on) to the core of his being, he was a worshipper of Shakti and gave a practical interpretation to the Vedanta ~ for the uplift of his countrymen. A Yogi of the highest spiritual level in direct communion with the truth, he devoted his whole life for the moral and spiritual uplift of his nation and of humanity. Vivekananda was energy personified, and action (karm-yog) was his message to humanity. In every way, he was integrating; he was seeing the forces for good, the constructive forces, in the different countries (he visited). Thus, Vivekananda's call to India to recognize herself - this again was not nationalism in the smaller sense, it was a kind of internationalism sublimated. | Vivekananda preached a great message that is not tied to any dos and don'ts. He addressed one and all. His message thus roused the heart of the youths in a most pervasive way. This message (at one and the same time) was about dignity and respect along with energy and power – dynamism; it imparted to others and pervaded his life with a wonderful dynamism. | It was Swamiji's hope that India would create a new social order and a new civilization by combining her best spiritual traditions with the latest advancements in science and technology. She would be rich both materially and spiritually. He knew that affluence was not enough, humanity had to be human too (humanism). Through his realization of the unique harmony that lies in all he wanted India to set an example before the whole world. "Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached" was his message. Swami Vivekananda propagated the ideal of performing selfless service to all (nishkam karma, selfless non-glory-seeking actions/service to humanity); his message enthused the youth of India and of the whole world to realize one's own self. | Swamiji made a tremendous impression, first in the USA and then also in England. The press paid him the highest tributes as an exponent of India's age-old values. This was the starting point of the Indian renaissance. Vivekananda advised against kupa-mandup syndrome (a frog in a well imagines the little well to be the whole world). He was not opposed to learning from the West, for he knew the West had some great qualities and it was because of those qualities that they had become so developed and exerted a great deal of influence. He wanted India to learn science and technology from the West and its power to organize and its practical sense, but, at the same time, retain her high dharmic values and spiritual wealth. | Emulating such a personality is futile; if humanity can understand/comprehend and imbibe his message and teachings, that should be good enough.]

~ The Sarasvati River is an important river goddess in the Rig Ved. (~ Many of the Rig Vedic hymns mention a sacred river called SarasvatI, describing it as the foremost of rivers, big as the ocean, rising in the mountains and flowing between the Yamuna and Sutlej [Sutudri/Satadru/SuturI] before entering the sea. The Sarasvati is portrayed as "surpassing in majesty and might all other waters" and "pure in her course from mountains to the ocean.") Devi Sarasvati is intrinsically associated with flowing water in her role as a goddess of knowledge (not transient/apara vidya though; hence she holds a lotus - the symbol of true/eternal/timeless knowledge - para vidya). She is wisdom personified. ~ In the Rig Ved, Sarasvati is a river as well as its personification as a goddess. [Veda (meaning wisdom, knowledge) comes from the root "vid" - to know. Veda has in turn given rise to "Vidya", which also means: knowledge.] She is Varadey Kaamarupinee (the fulfiller of wishes) and is associated with literature, arts, crafts, music, etc. [Note: Sri Hayagriva is the male equivalent of Devi Sarasvati. Refer the passages on Lord Hayagreeva/Hayagriva: link. ~ Devi Sarasvati is symbolically known as Brahmaputri... 'coz she is wisdom personified; she is considered as the embodiment/manifestation of Brhm (knowledge, learning, culture, wisdom, enlightenment, creativity, and so on); so whether Lord Hayagreeva/Hayagriva is symbolically referred to as Brahmaputra or not ~ my guess is as good as yours.) ... Devi Sarasvati represents intelligence, wisdom, consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education, culture, enlightenment, music, the arts, eloquence (persuasion/ vāk) and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. The Vedas (The Book of Knowledge/The Book of Enlightenment) are associated with her, and chants to her are called the 'Sarasvati Vandana Mantra' (for guidance, wisdom and knowledge: link | "May Goddess Sarasvati, who is fair like the jasmine-coloured moon, and whose pure white garland shines like (is as bright as) frosted dew drops [dew is the purest form of water]; who is adorned in radiant white attire, on whose beautiful arm rests the veena, and whose throne is a pure white lotus; who is surrounded and respected by the Gods, bless us. May the goddess fully remove our lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance.") [Sometimes a peacock is shown beside her ~ it is imagery, implying not to be concerned with external appearance and to be wise regarding the eternal truth (Sat/Satya).] ~ It is believed that goddess Sarasvati endows humans with the powers of fine speech/vāk (persuasive powers), wisdom and learning. Her symbolic four hands represent four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and self. She plays the music of compassion, wisdom, assimilation, love and life on a string instrument called the Veena. Sarasvati is also referred to as Hamsahvahini, which means "she who has a hamsah (the swan) as her 'vehicle'". [~ She is also a prominent figure in Buddhism (Buddhist iconography). It is believed that Mahasarasvati destroyed Shumbha and Nishumbha. ~ Incidentally: Rakta-bija is mistranslated to blood-seeds, it is an allusion to entrenched negative/destructive mindset/perception et al that alters the very essence of the land/culture/people; the consequences of which are far-reaching... like a torrent, like the weed in a garden or perhaps akin to water hyacinth.] ~ Devi Sarasvati is mainly associated with the colour white (pure white), which signifies the purity of true knowledge (para vidya or eternal knowledge) as well as Sattva Guna (noble traits). (Refer the relevant passages on hamsah/swan.) Occasionally, however, she is also associated with the colour yellow (basanti), the colour of the flowers of the mustard plant that bloom at the time of her festival in the spring. [~ Pure white: Puṇḍarīka, Svetakamala or Shubhra Kamal - the metaphoric "pure white lotus". Pure white indicates pristine, embodiment of pure knowledge: kundalini (Sahasrara Chakra - the 7th Chakra, the highest Chakra). It also signifies tranquility.] 

|| AUM Ayeim Sarasvatye Namah AUM || ~ It is an invocation to the Goddess Sarasvati. 

[Note: Lord Krishn is Hamsah: The swan; Hamsah means "He with a large-hearted intelligence"; (Krishn is Trikalagya, and therefore, clear-eyed, strategic and far-thinking; he also keeps Loka-sangraha or Loka-kalyana - the greater/collective good - above himself. If e.g. Duryodhan and allies (Shakuni, Jarasandh, Dushashana, Karna et al) were to prevail what turn would the Mahabharata have taken? With what devastating consequences? ~ As the Jagat-patih - Sovereign of the Universe/Lord of Creation - he upheld Raj-dharma (the duties and responsibilities of a sovereign). [~ Krishn's was the highest dharmic mission (dharma-samsthapanarthaya - to rebuild/revive/reinvigorate/rejuvenate the principles of dharma/right action for the greater good, and karm-yog/action - to walk the talk). ~ He also advised humanity to dharma (right action - for the greater good; even selfless (nishkam/non-glory-seeking) action/service to humanity/society), collective introspection and concerted action (karm-yog) - to duty. 'Coz there is no instant results or success; it is work-in progress.] | The hamsah (swan) is supposed to possess the ability to separate the water from the cream (in milk). The hamsa's ability to separate milk and water symbolizes the need to differentiate between positive aspects and negative aspects as well as the eternal/enduring and the evanescent/ephemeral/transient. E.g: The English language, in a generic sense, was the (metaphoric/proverbial) 'amrit' that arose out of a (symbolic) 'manthan' - colonization. ~ And yet, today this language is a link language - globally. | Hamsa = a bird; either the white swan or bar-headed white goose. The white swan is called Raja-Hamsa, literally: royal swan. The Hamsa is an important element in the symbology found in Sanaatan Dharma and represents: wisdom and beauty. The Hamsa is seen as a symbol of purity (self-realization), inner detachment (dharmic freedom of nishkam/selfless/non-glory-seeking karm), divine knowledge, cosmic breath (prana) and the highest spiritual accomplishment. It is supposed to transcend the limitations of creation - for it can walk on the earth, fly in the sky (air) and swim in the water. Just as the swan or hamsa lives on water but its feathers do not get damp, similarly a Hamsan (a true "yogi" - a nishkam karm-yogi) lives in this material world full of Maya (transience), yet remains detached and is not impacted by its transient nature. A constant repetition of the word "hamso" changes it to "Soaham", which means: "That I am" or "I am He". Ham-sa when inverted reads as sa-ham, which in Sanskrit means: 'the oneness of the human (finite) and the divine (Infinite)'. ~ One who completely realizes/understands the Avyakta (nirākārā + nirguna) and the Vyakta (ākārā + saguna) form of the Brahmn/Universal Consciousness is a Siddha - self-realized.]

Hamsah Gayatri Mantra: || Aum Paramhamsaye Vidmahe, Mahahamsaye Dhimahi, Tanno Hamsah Prachodayat || ~ "OM. Let us meditate on Sri Hamsa Deva, the glorious, pure white divine swan of supreme discrimination (ability to differentiate between positive aspects and negative aspects, between the eternal and evanescent i.e. between what is necessary/important/enduring and what is transient/ephemeral/trivial.) May that great Lord in the form of a swan (hamsah), who exemplifies paramahamsas (supreme swan), blissful self-realized souls, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding."

[Note: The symbolism associated with pure white/kundalini (Ajnea centre/7th Chakra - Crown chakra or Sahasrara Chakra, the highest chakra) and golden yellow (6th Chakra - Ajna Chakra - the symbolic third eye-chakra): ~ BG 10.22: || indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana || ~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the living force" (cetana, consciousness.) | ~ Chakras are centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. (These Chakras are not literal.) ~ Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ Kundalini (Electric Fire - symbolized by brilliant white ~ do refer the relevant passages on kundalini) is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy) to be fully 'awakened'. And this happens when Kundalini reaches the 7^th chakra - Sahasrara/the crown chakra (the highest chakra). [~ The seventh chakra (Sahasrara) is the chakra that integrates all the chakras with their respective qualities. It is the last milestone of the evolution of human awareness. This happens when Kundalini passes through the top of the head, at the fontanel area. ... When the Kundalini reaches the Sahasrara, the metaphoric/symbolic 'lotus petals' open and enlightenment takes place.] ~ This state is also said to be the state of complete wisdom. ~ "swa" is "higher self", "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation (of Swastika) can be interpreted as: "being with higher self". Lord Narayan/Vishnu is also known as "Svasti": One who is the source of all auspiciousness (~ i.e. dispeller of troubles/calamity; pathfinder). ~ Do refer link - for more details on Swastika.] ~ The Sahasrara (7^th Chakra/highest Chakra) is the chakra of (metaphoric/symbolic) one thousand petals. Sahasrara is unique in many ways. All other chakras feature upward, pointing lotuses. In the Sahasrara, the lotuses point downward, symbolizing freedom from the mundane (i.e. a Siddha, self-realized; refer link - to know more about self-realization), and divine rain from its petals. ~ The Sahasrara chakra was not considered an in-body chakra; (earlier) it was pictured as lying atop the head. The Saharsara is considered beyond most symbolic representations, although the chakra is usually perceived as white. ~ It is often described without a seed syllable, although some sources depict it with an OM. (~ OM or AUM represents the Shabda Brahmn. It is the primeval sound - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad - the sound of the universe itself. The Cosmic Entity [Ishvara-Ishvari] is Omswaroop - the manifestation of OM or AUM.) ~ Krishn is depicted with a symbolic 'golden disc' indicating third eye chakra (i.e. Ajna chakra or Brow Chakra, also known as the 6^th chakra) - denoting spiritual guidance. A two-petalled lotus symbolizes Ajna chakra. The left petal represents the moon or the ida nadi and the right petal represents the sun or the pingala nadi - which meet the central Sushumna nadi (here nadi = channel; Sushumna nadi is one of the body's main energy channels) before rising to the crown chakra, Sahasrara (i.e. the 7th chakra/the crown chakra - the highest chakra). Within the (metaphoric) two-petalled lotus is a perfectly round circle that symbolizes the "shoonya" or the void - symbolizing the state completely devoid of ego/ahamkara. In this circle the symbol OM is written. ... 'OM' is the mantra and the symbol of ajna chakra (the third eye chakra or 6th Chakra - symbolically depicted as a 'golden disc/chakra'). ~ Sushumna awakening is part of kundalini awakening. The two additional energy channels that play an important role in our energy system are "ida" and "pingala". [And, all this probably also symbolizes the allegorical manas-sarovara.] | The integration of the 6th and 7th Chakra is the Sudarshan Chakra. (And this should also give us an idea as to what 'Krishna hurled his Sudarsahn Chakra' means.) ~ The 6^th Chakra (Ajna Chakra) and the 7^th Chakra join within Sahasrara to create brahma-ranhdra - the transcendence of both ~ metaphorically represented by the Shiva and Shakti - the masculine and feminine. 

In literal terms, the 'samudra-manthan' tale is (also) an allegorical description of what transpires during a kundalini-awakening process. ~ *Kundalini is a latent energy that lies dormant in the spine. Upon awakening, it rises in a sensation akin to a slithering reptile, up the spinal column (Meru-danda, also represented by the [allegoric] Mt Meru [Mandar Parvat] in the story. | BG 10.23: || meruh sikharinam aham || ~ "and of mountains I am Meru." (~ Here Mt Meru is an allegory for Sahasrara Chakra/the 7^th chakra - the crown chakra/the highest chakra). | BG 10.28: sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ ~ and of serpents I am Vāsuki. ~ Here Vasuki is an allegory for kundalini. | If we look at the human brain: there is the left hemisphere (side 1) and the right hemisphere (side 2)... the area in the middle is (allegorically) occupied by a 'serpent'. (~ Therefore, we can say, kundalini is 'serpent power'.) ~ Maybe, this power 'ignites' or 'illumines' the mind, in a manner of speaking; this in turn results in an immense amount of intelligence, foresight, wisdom, perception, vision, sagacity, and so on - which (then) leads to great deeds/karm. ~ Its all interconnected (yog/sanjog); therefore, kunda = "to coil or to spiral". The Kundalini (then) unites the individual consciousness with the Universal Consciousness (the finites to the Infinite). ~ This state is also said to be the state of complete wisdom. ~ "Swa" is "higher self", "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation (of Swastika - refer link) can be interpreted as: "being with higher self" (i.e. yog/sanjog with the Universal Consciousness.) ~ Lord Narayan is also known as "Svasti": One who is the source of all auspiciousness. (Note: Just as the morning Sun (Golden in colour) grows to brilliant white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' (6^th chakra) visualized at the eyebrow centre (Ajna Chakra) rises to Ajnea center/chakra (7^th chakra) and shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. ~ This is the final state of the Kundalini 'Fire'. When this 'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the opening of the (symbolic) third eye (Ajna Chakra/6th chakra). ~ Only when humans gain enlightenment/the state of complete wisdom - eternal, pure/timeless knowledge - para vidya (~ the state of a Buddha - i.e. when the Sahasrara Chakra/the 7^th Chakra - the [metaphoric/symbolic] thousand-petalled Lotus opens up fully)... the kundalini power has been fully awakened. 

*In the sacrum bone (a large, triangular bone) at the base of the spine there exists a subtle and dormant coil of spiritual energy known as the kundalini. The process of Enlightenment or in other words Self-realization involves the gentle awakening of this living and conscious energy, so that it pervades the individual's entire being. Once this occurs, an individual is no longer disconnected from the universe around them - i.e. confined inside their own head (ego, confusion, delusion, vainglory, etc) - but becomes a connected part of the greater cosmos (~ the mind is lit up, in a manner of speaking; in other words: the metaphoric dimaag ki batti is lit up - possibly depicted by the "halo"); it brings about self-knowledge and contentment - leading to Sat-cit-ānanda, the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy (total contentment) of "self-realization". [Sat describes an essence that is pure and timeless; cit is consciousness (awareness, sentience - the ability to feel, perceive, and comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition); ānanda is absolute bliss or spiritual ecstasy.] ~ One who has achieved the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy (Sat-cit-ānanda) of self-realization is a Siddha - a pure/perfect being. ~ Kundalini awakening connects a human to his or her Atman (Supersoul) - which is the source of all things. This Atman is the eternal aspect of an individual's personality; when an individual become totally connected with it, such a person becomes a Buddha (the Enlightened One) - eternal and filled with pure/timeless knowledge (para vidya).]

~ Makara Sankranti (or Pongal) marks the beginning of Uttarayan. [This time of year is generally associated with Sarasvati and Vishnu - the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity.] ~ Devi Sarasvati is shown sitting on a "pure white lotus" (Puṇḍarīka, Svetakamala or Shubhra Kamal). Pure white indicates pristine; embodiment/manifestation of pure knowledge; in other words: kundalini (Sahasrara Chakra - the 7th Chakra, the highest Chakra). It also signifies tranquility. ~ Devi Sarasvati is the embodiment/symbol/manifestation of pure knowledge (kundalini). ~ She is also depicted with the hamsah (the swan; embodiment/symbol of inner "detachment"; the swan signifies nishkam/selfless karm + dharmic freedom [inner detachment] - for the greater good; a higher cause - Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha. Hari-Krishna/Vishnu-Krishna is also known as the Hamsah.) ~ This inner detachment (dharmic freedom) signifies a true "yogi" - hamsan. The swan/hamsah - whose feathers do not get damp despite remaining in water - is the symbol of an enlightened, higher soul (mahatmanah). ~ Selfless action (nishkam karm) does not suppress the senses, but merely sublimates them, spiritualizes them - for a higher purpose, a greater cause; therefore, ascetic does not mean renunciation. ~ Without nishkam karm/selfless action and the dharmic freedom (inner detachment) it bestows, one cannot become a "yogi" [~ the connect/confluence (yog) between nishkam karm and dharmic freedom (inner detachment) is necessary. ~ The spirit/soul of such persons is spotless, like the swan in water or like the lotus in the muddy water (kalka).] ~ Also, there have been various scholars and other greats who have risen and shone... from modest origins. [Even the illustrious Maurya and Gupta Emperors had humble origins.]

Uttarayan is a combination of two Sanskrit words, 'uttar' meaning northward and 'ayan' meaning movement towards. It celebrates the sun-god's northward movement. ~ It was on this day that Lord Vishnu is believed to have (symbolically curbed)/buried the heads of ever-increasing negativism (euphemistically known as Asuras) under the Mandar Parvat (Mt. Meru - the central 'mountain' of the world.) So this occasion also represents the beginning of a new era. [The Hindu and Buddhist alike regard Mt Meru as the location of Shambhala. (Mt Meru: is taken as the true centre of the planet and the world's spiritual powerhouse; it is the heartbeat of whole universe, the base of spiritual consciousness, heart of divinity; it is the center of the cosmos. Its summit is believed to align to the wheeling constellation of Ursa Major, the Seven Stars that circle the Pole.) Do refer link - for more info on Kurma-avatar, samudra-manthan, Mohini-avatar, Bhasmasura, Mt Meru, Shambhala, etc. Mohini = rare, uncommon.] ~ It is also believed that Ganga reached the earth from heaven on this day. [~ Now, whether this is the River Ganga that Bhagirath is believed to have brought out after clearing the terrain... thereby bringing her waters to the whole of this land - (and thus) solving the drinking water needs, etc of the populace; or whether it is the (metaphoric/allegoric) tide of the Ganga that Lord Shiva is supposed to have held in his jata (dredlocks) and (thus) become *Byomkesh - my guess is as good as yours.] Many people also conflate Makara Sankranti with the Winter Solstice (which falls on December 21/22). ~ If only the script/glyphs of various extinct civilizations could be deciphered... [Note: *Byomkesh: Another name for Lord Shiva (Sankara/Hara): it is derived from byom (sky or air) and kesh (hair). ~ Lord Shiva received into his dredlocks (jata) the Ganga - to minimize the immense impact (devastation) of her fall. (This Ganga is a metaphor; it cannot be a reference to a river per se.) ~ Perhaps it is an allegory to indicate that his actions saved/protected humanity from great misery and/or mitigated (in force or intensity) the long-term damage. Maybe, it brought about a positive change of course and lay the foundation for a new and better society to emerge.] 

BG 10.21: || jyotisam ravir amsuman || ~ "of radiance I am the radiant sun" (ravir amsuman). ... It is a reference to the majestic Sun-god [Pratyaksh-Brahmn], to the Brahmn-jyoti, as well as to ParaBrahmn/Brahmn (Universal Consciousness). Krishn is not only indicating that he is that universal Brahmn, Omswaroop; he is (also) referring to the Summer Solstice (Sanskrit: Dakshinayana - June 21/22.) [On this day even Druids celebrate. Do also refer to the Gayatri mantra. ~ Sudarshana Vasudev Dhanvantari (Narayan/Vishnu/Hari) is the Supreme Druid; he arrives to stem the 'churn'/manthan/turmoil - to stabilize and to re-energize; he administers aoushata (medicine, cure, remedy) so that human society can (gradually) regain its health and vigour. ~ Hari-Hara. Lord Shiva (Hara/Sankara) is also known as Vaidyanatha (Lord of Remedies).] ~ Dakshinayana or Pitrayana is referred to as Karka Sankraman/Sankranti. On this day, Sun enters into Karka rashi (Cancer) [Tropic of Cancer]. Dakshinayana or Karka Sankraman is a time for performing Pitru tarpan - rituals to pay respect to Pitr Devatas (ancestors), performing charitable deeds, worshipping Lord Vishnu, chanting Vishnusahasranama stotram ("the thousand names of Vishnu"), worshipping Lord Varaha (the 3rd avatar of the Dasavatara, the supreme form of Lord Vishnu/Narayan.) [Note: Vishnupadagiri is located on the Tropic of Cancer and, therefore, was a centre of astronomical studies during the Gupta era. The Iron Pillar served an important astronomical function; its early morning shadow fell in the direction of the foot of Anantasayain/Anantasayana Vishnu (in one of the panels at Udayagiri) only in the time around summer solstice (June 21/22).] ~ The Udayagiri site appears to have been guided by a highly developed astronomical knowledge. Therefore, Udayagiri in general, and the Iron Pillar location in particular, provide ample evidence of the astronomical knowledge in India around 400 CE.]

~ BG 10.35: || māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring". ~ Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or lunar mansion - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion. The first two carana/pada (quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha Rāśi or Taurus (bull). The latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi (Gemini). Dharma is generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull, Vrishabha. ~ And so, Lord Narayan/Vishnu is also called Vṛṣabha (the Great Bull). ~ He is Dharmadhyaksha - Lord of Dharma [Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma.] BG ~ 10.29 || yamaḥ saḿyamatām aham || ~ and among the dispensers of justice (for negative/Prarabda karma) I am Yama (the lord of dharma/final, eternal judgment.) [~ Yama does not mean Lord of Death; that is mistranslation. ~ The other Yamaraj is Devaraj Indra's Dharmaraj/law and justice minister. ~ Lord Narayan is Mahendrah (The Lord of Indra). ~ The task assigned to the Devas/Higher Beings is to manage the affairs of the universe.] [Note: For Rudra-Siva, Hari-Hara, Vishnu-Rudra, and Hari-Sankara, do refer to other parts of this post. ~ The two Indus "Yogi Seals" are depicted with bullhorns - maybe indicative of Vrishaakritih (Dharma/ Vrisha Himself) as well as Dharmadhyaksha [Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma]; the three faces probably also indicate keshavah, one who is himself the three: kah Brahma, ah Vishnu and Isa Shiva - Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram (refer the relevant passages on Keshavah). ~ "Yogi" is derived from "yog", not to be construed as "ascetic", but someone who has gained freedom from the mundane i.e. a Siddha; do refer to the paragraphs on Sahasrara Chakra, Ajna Chakra, Kundalini, etc [in this post] as well as self-realization: link). ~ Thus the two Indus "Yogi Seals" very likely depict Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara - possibly the presiding deity/personage of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization; do refer link - for more info on Hariyuppa or Hariyupiyah, Meluha/Meluhha, etc; the Indus Valley Civilization covered wide swathes; it was one of the oldest of civilizations, and possibly, the most ancient of all civilizations.]

[Note: Rishabha is an avatar of Lord Vishnu (i.e. the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer aspect of the Cosmic Entity). ~ Bhagvan Rishabhdev, first Jain Tirthankara Rshabha (also known as Adinath), an enlightened soul, is regarded as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. And considering the depiction of Shri Parshvanath, whether any of the two Indus "Yogi Seals" (and/or other seals, etc) also indicate them or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. The symbol of Adinath is a Bull (Rshabha - derived from Vṛṣabha, the Great Bull) - hence he is also known as Rshabha Dev. ~ Lord Narayan is also called Vṛṣabha (the Great Bull). ~ He is Dharmadhyaksha - Lord of Dharma (Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma.)]

Sat-Satya Sundar/ Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram: ~ Sat comes from Satya; it does not mean moralism, utopian idealism etc; it means eternal (Shaashvata); it also means dharma - right actions for the greater good. Lord Narayan/Vishnu is Dharmadhyaksha - the Lord of Dharma [Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma.] He is Vrishaakritih - Dharma (Vrisha) Himself ~ symbolized by the 'thousand-horned great bull with a hundred heads'. [Dharma is generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull (Vrishabha). ~ Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Harih is also called Vṛṣabha (the Great Bull). Therefore, though Sat/Satya-Sundar gets (mis)translated to "Truth" and "Beauty" respectively, Sat/Satya means "Ultimate Truth" ~ Supreme Dharma. ~ "Sundar" indicates auspiciousness, generosity, dharmic excellence (actions for the greater good), work ethic, workmanship, etc. ~ Lord Narayan/Vishnu is also known as "Svasti": One who is the source of all auspiciousness. [Do refer link - for more details on Swastika.] 

[Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is the time for all-round rejuvenation... including intellectual, perceptive/cognitive and spiritual awakening/transition - wherein humans reach a higher level of existence, by moving out of the inferior manas (lower mind or lower self) and into the superior manas (higher mind or Higher Self) ~ leading to a gradual transformation/awakening. Since this is work-in-progress, therefore, dharma nad karm-yog - for building/creating a better, prosperous, progressive and inclusive society.] 

The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation as Mriga (The Deer). ~ The term Mṛgaśira is a composite of two Sanskrit words, mṛga meaning animal and śira meaning head or precisely, the top of the head. The names Mṛgaśira and Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśīrṣa are sometimes used interchangeably. Grammatically, Mārgaśīrṣa means "of Mṛgaśira" or "related to Mṛgaśira". Thus Mṛgaśira is the correct name of the star, while Mārgaśīrṣa is the name of the month related to Mṛgaśira, i.e, the month in which moon will be in conjuncture with the Mṛgaśira nakṣatra. [The two "Yogi Seals" - possibly indicating Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara - probably also indicate Mrigashīrsha or Mṛgaśira: Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma. ~ So much for 'Aryan Invasion Theory'.]

Agrahāyaṇa or Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December]: Since Vedic times, this month is known as Mārgaśīrṣa after the Nakṣatra (asterisms) Mṛgaśiras. [Note: The aligning of this name with the Mṛgaśiras Nakṣatra, gives rise to speculation that this name may have been given when the sun was near Orion at the time of vernal equinox, i.e. around 7000 years ago.] ~ Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kālabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Aṣṭamī of this month of Mārgaśīṣa. [Kāla = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the Shabda Brahmn - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - is very auspicious.] On this day it is said that Lord Śiva appeared on earth in the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava. [Kāla or kaalah = time; the bull/ Vrishabha is also associated with Lord Shiva. Thus he too is Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma.] ~ And so, Hari-Hara, Hari-Sankara, Vishnu-Rudra are not three different personages/entities... but Hari as Hara/Sankara/Rudra. ~ And thus, it is Hari-Hara, Hari-Sankara or Vishnu-Rudra. Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the Shabda Brahmn - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself. Vishnu-Krishna is the manifestation (Omswaroop) of OM or AUM. ~ Hariom. || Hari OM Tat Sat || ~ Hari OM is the Ultimate Truth (Sat). ~ The seen (manifested/vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn) and the unseen (unmanifested/avyaktah/Niraakar Brahmn) are both one. | HA= sky, RA= fire, I= energy. HARI = effulgent omnipresent omniconscient (sarvajno; possessing all wisdom) cosmic energy [ParaBrahmn]. Hari also means: Lord of Nature/Earth. OM or AUM is used for both Hari and Hara.]

[Note: Inside the great pyramids sun god Osiris is Orion (Mṛgaśira); Isis is Sirius (the brightest star as seen from Earth, apart from the sun); Horus is the Falcon-god or the Falcon-headed man. (Refer: link.) Here it probably is a reference to the Eagle Nebula. ~ There is a possibility though that Ramesses II (referred as Ramesses the Great), ancient Miṣr/Egypt's most prolific ruler, often regarded as the greatest, most celebrated, and most powerful pharaoh of the (ancient) Egyptian Empire, is named after Shri Ram. Ramesses is anglicized; it could be a variant of Ram-Ashish (due to change in phonetics. Refer link - for more info on ancient Miṣr.]

BG 10.37: || vṛṣṇīnāḿ vāsudevo 'smi || ~ "Among the Vrishnis I am Vasudev" (Varshneya; the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka) | Here Krishn is introducing himself. ~ He is Dvarkadheesh Krishn - Sudarshan Vasudev Krishn. [~ Vasudev was the name of his father. But Vasudev also means: Lord/Protector of the Earth.]

BG 10.31: || pavanaḥ pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām aham || ~ "I am the wind among the purifiers, and Shri Ram among the warriors." | ~ pavanaḥ pavatām asmi ~ "I am the wind among the purifiers": He is essentially saying that he is the personification of spring. ~ Wind (vayu) is one of the five elements of nature (Sanskrit: [maha]panchabhuta/PanchaMahaBhuta or Pancha Bhuta). The others being: agni (fire), water (jal), earth (prthvi) and aether (aakash, space). ~ Lord Shiva - the Hara aspect (also known as: Rudra/Sankara/Hara/Shambhu Nath) is also called Bhoota/Bhuta Nath - Lord/Protector of Mankind (living beings = bhutanam). ~ The Hari aspect means Lord of Nature. ~ Thus, Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara is not two different persons, but two aspects of Hari-Krishna. | Shivah is not destroyer-destroyer. This aspect (i.e. the Shiva/Sankara/Rudra/Hara aspect) of Hari-Krishn indicates: destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat - of humanity/human society, as well as dispeller/destroyer of ego/vanity/vainglory, ignorance, illusion, delusion, confusion, 'toxin' (~ thus he is known as Neelkanth - the allegorical 'blue-throated one'; he soaks up negativism - for the good of humanity/society - to enable it to function (progress and prosper), and so on. | Lord Shiva [the Hara aspect] is regarded as a kind herdsman (shepherd) of jiva-souls (jiva or humans), while Hari-Krishna (or rather the Hari aspect) is also known as Govind - the (allegoric/metaphoric) shepherd to his flock. Hari/Hara/Hare = Dispeller [Haran] of Troubles/Calamity/Sankat - of humanity/human society/civilization; a Pathfinder through tortuous events/circumstances/paths. | 'Bhoota' as in 'spirits' is very likely a much recent association ~ my guess is as good as yours. Therefore, aspects like ash smearing, chillum smoking, etc is (probably) courtesy the many cultic movements that sprang up in his name (maybe led by Gorakhnathji, etc) - in the last millennium or so ~ my guess is as good as yours. But then, the way Lord Shiva - the Hara aspect - (also known as: Rudra/Sankara/Hara/Shambhu Nath) is depicted is largely allegorical. [~ Gorakh is probably derived from the name of some Parvat/Mountain or maybe Hill.]

|| rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām aham || ~ "and Shri Ram among the warriors." [Here, warrior = reformer, protector, preserver, stabilizing and re-energizing force - for a better/progressive, prosperous, and inclusive society. ~ Shri Ram was a Cakravartin and steadfast reformer, not perfunctory; thus his contribution was not transient. He also upheld Raj-dharma. Krishn was a Cakravartin (by dint of his actions/karm; he too upheld Raj-dharma.) ~ Do read link - for more details on Cakravartin, Pavan-putra Hanumanji, Shiv-dhanu, etc. ~ A Cakravartin-raja is a 'wheel-turning ruler' - considered a wise, progressive, inclusive and ideal ruler, since he upholds Raj-dharma. ~ Here wheel or chakra refers to Sudarshana Chakra - the 6^th Chakra (symbolic Golden chakra/disc) also known as Ajna Chakra or Brow Chakra - the third-eye chakra ~ denoting spiritual guidance, and the Sahasrara (~ the 7th chakra/the crown chakra - the highest chakra). [~ Note: Do read the paragraphs on Ajna Chakra/Brow Chakra, Shasrara and Kundalini.]

BG 10.22: || indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana || ~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the living force" (cetana, consciousness; consciousness and conscience are two different things; consciousness (cetana) is awareness, sentience - the ability to feel, think, perceive, comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition/perception. ~ Here, living force (cetana) is essentially a reference to kundalini energy (spiritual energy; conscious energy). Do read the relevant passages on Kundalini and Sahasrara Chakra.) | ~ *So, this should give us an idea as to what Karna's "kavacha" and "kundal" means. [~ Krishna would have impacted Karna's ability to perceive and comprehend, and thus, his capacity to think clearly.] | So, does it also mean that he can control the mind? ~ Hari-Hara is one and the same, two different aspects, not two different entities. (Do read the relevant passages - to understand this.) | ~ Shivah means: the kindly auspicious one; he is a kind herdsman (shepherd) of jiva-souls (jiva or humans.) ~ If they lack direction, he guides them, shows them the way; a pathfinder. ~ The Hari aspect of Keshavah (refer relevant passages) is also a shepherd: Govind - the (allegoric/metaphoric) shepherd to his flock. ~ The Shivah/Hara (aspect) does not mean destroyer per se; this aspect (i.e. the Shiva/Sankara/Rudra/Hara aspect - do also read the relevant paragraphs) of Hari-Krishn indicates: destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat of humanity/human society + dispeller/destroyer of ego/vanity/vainglory, ignorance, illusion, delusion, confusion. [Do also read about the Vamana-avatar: link.] ~ He is also Neelkanth (the allegorical 'blue-throated one') - who soaks up 'halahala' or 'kaalkoot' (resulting out of immense societal 'manthan'/churn/'dark clouds/negativism/pessimism that engulf the hearts and minds') - for the benefit of human society/mankind ~ to enable it to "heal" (the Hari aspect is also Dhanvantari, while the Hara aspect is Vaidyanatha - Supreme Druid/Lord of Remedies) - so that it can evolve/transform and function better, i.e. progress and prosper. 

[Note: *Karna's "kavacha" and "kundal" and what could be meant by Karna's 'chariot wheel sank deep into the ground'. [Literally: Karna = ears. Kundal = ear-ring; though it is probably derived from "kundalini" (refer the relevant passages on Kundalini, Sahasrara Chakra).] | As per the narrative, Karna's 'chariot wheel sank deep into the ground' at a crucial time; he was, thus, unable to recollect the 'mantra' (appropriate incantations) for unleashing certain weaponry. ~ This 'chariot wheel' is not literal. Wheel = cakra or chakra, and (very likely) refers to Karna's mind chakra or Manasa Chakra, which is connected with most of the head (especially the brain), is a combination of sensing and intellect. [Maybe, only by weakening of Karna's "kundal"... could this unnatural human, ('son' of Lord Surya, a higher being, and Kunti ~ begotten through very advanced genetic engineering) be rendered inactive; otherwise nothing else could affect him (~ as indicated by the "kavacha" - that was part of his genetic makeup.) Hence, Karna could never have donated either his "kaavacha" or his "kundaal". Ever. [~ Perhaps, later-day translators, unable to understand the technology aspects described in the narrative, improvised by bringing in Brahmin's 'curse', Parasurama's 'curse', Sutaputra, fate, and so on. ~ There was no concept of Brahmin in Dvapar; it was Brahmana - indicating erudition. Also, there were three kinds of warriors; the Suta, though highly skilled, did not pick up weapons.) A renowned "kusalavya" of that era was Ugrasrava, son of Lomarsana, known as Sauti to one and all. Sauti is derived from "Suta". Kusalavya (roughly translates to) a wandering poet; they were greatly respected. Even Sanjay was held in high esteem.] Therefore, Karna's 'chariot wheel sank deep into the ground' could mean: his memory weakened. ~ Krishn, perhaps made this happen (via some sort of mind-control/'inception'); as a Purna Avatar he possessed 16 qualities. | Apparently - and perhaps realizing his condition - Karna invoked the Arya dharmic tenets of "fair play" and "chivalry"... perhaps in a bid to buy time (maybe to get himself treated; to [symbolically/metaphorically] 'pull out his chariot wheel that had sunk deep into the ground', that is.) | Krishn then (sarcastically) asked him whether he ever walked on the path of Arya Dharma and followed "fair play" and/or displayed "chivalry". Krishn further reminded Karna about the latter's role during the fraudulent game of dice (that cheated the Pandavas out of their right and banished them for 13 long years instead); his willing participation in the various machinations against the Pandavas; his conduct when Draupadi was insulted, and when Kunti was treated shabbily, etc. ~ Krishn further said that Karna's demand for a fair chance was disgusting, since as an ally and co-conspirator of Duryodhan, he was not only privy to, but was also a willing partner of, all of the latter's heinous deeds. [BG 10.29 || yamaḥ saḿyamatām aham || ~ "and among the dispensers of justice (for negative/Prarabda karma) I am Yamah/Dharmaraj" (the lord of dharma - final and/or eternal judgment.) | Krishn very clearly states that he is the Supreme Judge ~ and thus will deliver his judgement on prarabdha karma (negative karma) and/or provide an opportunity for redemption. ~ In his conversations with Karna, Krishn is actually spelling out his judgement ~ as Dharmadhyaksha - Supreme Dharma.] | With Karna rendered inactive, Duryodhan was greatly weakened, so much so that the course of the greatest of dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas, principles, inclusivity, progress and vision - for the future of humanity/human society) was clear to one and all.]

BG 10.31: || srotasām asmi jāhnavī || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [~ Pratyaksha/Manifest-Brahmn is the Sun-god (Suryadev). The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati is known as Prayag - Triveni Sangam. ~ Tagore said: shab patho eshe miley gyalo shheshe tomaro dukhani nayone nayone. (Do refer the relevant passages on the Sahasrara Chakra, Ajna Chakra, kundalini, etc.)]

BG 9.11: || avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā mānuṣīḿ tanum āśritam paraḿ bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūta-maheśvaram || ~ "The ignorant deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know (are unaware of) My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord (maheśvaram) of all that be." | ~ Thus he is Rishikesha - one who has not only gained mastery over his own senses (indriyas), but also over those of others. | avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā (The ignorant deride Me when I descend in the human form): Is this an indication that he puts on a veneer? ~ My guess is as good as yours. | [Note: ~ 'Avatar' means descent, and refers to a descent of the divine into earthly form. Avatar comes from the Sanskrit avatirna: "manifest/descent from the Lord."  ~ However, though in their human forms they possess certain qualities. The 7^th Vishnu possesses 12. While the 8^th Vishnu (Keshavah himself) possesses all 16; thus he is Lord Narayan's Purna Avatar (one in whom divinity is manifested fully.) | The Sudarshan Chakra is associated with Krishn/Keshavah. ~ (Do read the paragraphs on Sudarshan Chakra, Kundalini, Sahasrara, etc.) ~ He is also known as Sudarshan Vasudev Krishn. [~ Here is Tagore's Heye Khaniker Atithi: link.]

BG 4.5: śrī-bhagavān uvāca (Sri Bhagavan said): || bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna tāny ahaḿ veda sarvāṇi na tvaḿ vettha parantapa || ~ "O Arjun, many are the lives I have passed through and thou too. But I know them all, whilst thou knowest not."

BG 7.26: || vedaham samatitanivartamanani carjunabhavisyani ca bhutani mam tu veda na kascana || ~ "O Arjun, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities; but Me no one knows." ~ Thus Krishn was all-knowing (Trikalagya). He also knew each soul (individual or human soul/jiva-atma).

BG 10.30: || mṛgāṇāḿ ca mṛgendro 'haḿ vainateyaś ca pakṣiṇām || ~ "among animals I am the lion, and among birds I am Garuḍa." | Lord Narayan is Garuda-Dhvaja; Garuda is His insignia, as well as 'vehicle'; it also indicates eagle or maybe falcon.

BG 10.28: || dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk || ~ "among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as kamadhenu - the wish-fulfilling cow ~ possibly a metaphor for prosperity, etc.)

BG 10.33: || akṣarāṇām a-kāro 'smi dvandvaḥ sāmāsikasya ca aham evākṣayaḥ kālo dhātāhaḿ viśvato-mukhaḥ || ~ "Of letters I am the letter A (refer link). And among compound words I am the dual compound (maybe a reference to hydrogen-oxygen bonds present in water. Refer link - for Dvarka.) I am also inexhaustible time (Kaalah; Kālah/kālo = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the Shabda Brahmn - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - this sound is auspicious), and of creators I am Brahmā" (a metaphor for rejuvenation, regeneration, reinvigoration; also refer the passages on Keshavah.)

BG 10.34: || mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatām || ~ "I am all-consuming time, and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (~ Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all that shall come into being.") 

BG 10.40: || nānto 'sti mama divyānāḿ vibhūtīnāḿ parantapa eṣa tūddeśataḥ prokto vibhūter vistaro mayā || ~ "There is no end of My divine manifestations, O Arjun. What I have spoken to you is but a mere indication of My infinite manifestations." [~ Perhaps it also means that the universe/cosmos is not monolithic. The Peepal tree (Ashvatha) represents the entire cosmos: 'Shva' in Sanskrit means tomorrow, 'a' indicates negation, and 'tha' means one that stands or remains. ~ Thus, Ashvatha can also indicate: "One which does not remain the same tomorrow", or the universe itself. ~ Maybe there is no stagnation. BG: 10.26 || aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ || ~ among trees, I am the peepal (ashvattha).] | Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari's Purna Avatar (one in whom divinity is manifested fully) is Shri Hari-Krishna. ~ Lord Krishna is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being in his totality of manifestation. He is not an Avatar of the Cosmic Person/Being, but is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being Himself (albeit, in human form; all the avatars come in their human manifestation). || krishnas tu bhagavan svayam || ~ He is the Cosmic Teacher and Cosmic Ruler; as a leela-avatar - he (also) holds a mirror to humanity; he instructs and assesses humanity (whether they can differentiate between positive aspects and negative aspects, between the eternal and evanescent i.e. what is necessary/important and what is transient/trivial [like the swan/hamsah]; comprehension (thought process), perspective and cognitive abilities, karm-yog, mettle, and so on) - to awaken them into introspection and collective karm-yog; and so, he leads by example and instructs through his own behaviour (acharan) - the mark of a true teacher/guru/mentor. | He is God manifest in human form (svayam Bhagavan, the human manifestation [sagun swaroop] of Lord Vishnu/Narayan - His Purna Avatar.) | Leela is the interplay/synergy (yog) between the finite and Infinite, between created and Uncreated, between evanescent and Eternal.

BG 10.26: || aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ || ~ "among trees, I am the peepal (ashvattha)" ~ Shri Narayan/Keshavah/Vishnu, the Lord of the Universe (symbolically) dwells in the roots of this tree, Keshavah in the trunk, Narayan dwells in the branches, Shri Hari in the leaves and all the deities dwell in the fruits of this sacred tree. The peepal tree is (therefore) the personification of Shri Narayan/Vishnu. | The peepal tree (the Bodhi tree/the 'tree of enlightenment') or the transpersonal World Tree is the personification of Shri Vishnu/Keshavah/Narayan/Hari. The Bodhi tree, the Tree of Enlightenment, is also the symbol of (the 9th Vishnu) Shri Gautam Buddh's message in general (since he had overcome his human boundaries and become one with the world spirit.) ~ The peepal (ashvattha) is the tree of eternal life. This sacred tree stands for wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment, happiness, prosperity, peace and good luck. Every peepal tree is a reservoir of oxygen. People who stay near it have a plentiful supply of oxygen. This majestic tree gives ample shade to humans and animals alike. It is also home to a lot of birds and insects. The holy fig tree has medicinal properties as well. In Sanskrit, this tree is known as Ashvattha, Bodhivriksha and Plaksha. This tree represents the entire cosmos. [Note: in some of the old Indus sites, clay objects with peepal leaf markings have been unearthed. There are seals depicting the peepal leaf. ~ And, all this shows that the peepal tree has been worshipped from very early times. So much for 'Aryan Invasion Theory.' ~ Sometimes the holy fig tree is taken as the Banyan tree (Vata Vrikhsha). ~ (Refer the relevant passages - for more details on Chakravartin and 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration').]

BG 10.42: || idaḿ kṛtsnam ekāḿśena sthito jagat || ~ "I continually support the entire universe/cosmos by a small fraction of My divine power (YogMaya)." ~ Therefore, the manifest creation (Prakriti/Manifest Nature or Material Nature) is a very small fraction of the Absolute (Cosmic Purusha/Cosmic Energy). [~ "When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous." ~ Albert Einstein. | "One infinite pure and holy - beyond thought beyond qualities I bow down to thee" - Swami Vivekananda.]

BG 2.13: || dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati || ~ "As the embodied soul continuously passes, in the material body, from childhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly transmigrates from one body to another. The self-realized or the temperate (dhirah = the temperate) is not bewildered/deluded by such a change."

BG 2.22 || vāsānsi jīrNāni yathā vihāya navāni grihNāti naro.aparāNi tathā śarīrāNi vihāya jīrNānyanyāni sanyāti navāni dehī || ~ "Just as a human being puts on new garments, casting off old and worn-out ones, the (human) soul (Jiva-atma) similarly takes up residence within new material bodies, giving up the old and infirm ones." [~ The "First Law of Thermodynamics" (Conservation) states that energy is always conserved; it cannot be created or destroyed. In essence, energy can be converted from one form into another. ~ 'Energy can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed. The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe remains constant, merely changing from one form to another.' | ~ Soul is energy; it has no form or gender; only the outer shell (material body) differs. [~ For humans, there is no guarantee that the soul (jiva-atma) won't transmigrate as (e.g.) an animal, bird, and so on. It all depends on one's karma. The only certain way to come out of this Samsara or the constant cycle of birth and re-birth (transmigration) - is by performing copious amounts of good karma (nishkam/selfless/non-glory-seeking karma). Good/positive karma is essential to "wash off" any (carried over) Prarabda karma (negative karma); this in turn gives the jiva/atma (human soul) a clean slate and/or a positive amount (remainder) of good karma.] ~ Krishn not only associates himself with trees and plants... but also with animals, aquatic creatures, birds, etc. ~ Perhaps to indicate that as the manifestation of the universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness (and Creator/Sraasta) he does not discriminate. That, for the manifestation of the Param-atma (Supreme Cosmic Spirit), there is no distinction between differing material bodies. The Universal Form of the One encompasses everything. [~ Swami Vivekananda imbibed and conveyed this essence succinctly: || Bohu-rupe sammukhe tomar aami, kotha khunjichho Ishvar? Jibe prem kare jei jan, Shei jan shebichhe Ishvar || ~ Service to mankind (not restricted to humanity alone) is service to God. That is true worship. ~ This, to Vivekananda, was the path to self-realization (or Param-atma realization); it was his path to direct communion with the truth (eternal truth/Sat/Satya)... leading to the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of self-realization: Sat-cit-ānanda. [Sat describes an essence that is pure and timeless; cit is consciousness (awareness, sentience - the ability to feel, perceive, and comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition); ānanda is absolute bliss or spiritual ecstasy. | Our ancients too very likely understood this concept. ~ And so, the Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess'/ also known as the Sri Sri chandipATh) says: || Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam Shakti-Bhuute Sanaatani | Gunna-[A]ashraye Gunnamaye Naaraayanni Namo[ah-A]stu Te ||9|| ~ 9.1: (Salutations to You O Narayani) In Whom is Present the Power of Creation, Maintenance/Preservation and Dissolution and Who is Eternal, | 9.2: Who is the Support of the Gunas (all noble aspects, attributes) and the Embodiment of the Gunas; Salutations to You O Narayani. | Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam: the Power of Creation, Maintenance/Preservation and Dissolution: Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra. | Narayan-Narayani. Ishvar-Ishvari. Parameshvar-Parameshvari. Jagadishvar-Jagadishvari. Tribhuvaneshvar-Tribhuvaneshvari. The duality. ... And, perhaps, this duality gave rise to the concept of ArdhaNarishvara. It is not literal, though. | Here is Tagore's 'Pratham Adi taba Shakti': link01.] 

~ It does seem that Tagore incorporated this concept in our National Anthem. Here is the complete five stanza of Tagore's "Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka..." (ruler/leader/captain of the minds of all people): link. | [Note: Controversy shadowed Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka from the day of its first rendition in 1911 at the Congress session in Calcutta. King George V arrived in India the day the song was first sung... and sections of the Anglo-Indian English press in Calcutta thought - and duly reported - that Tagore's anthem was homage to the emperor. ~ Tagore responded thus: "I should only insult myself if I cared to answer those who consider me capable of such unbounded stupidity." He later wrote, "A certain high official in His Majesty's service, who was also my friend, had requested that I write a song of felicitation towards the Emperor. The request simply amazed me. It caused a great stir in my heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. Lord of Destiny] of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Even my official friend understood this about the song. After all, even if his admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not lacking in simple common sense."]

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~ Lord Krishn (do also refer link) is a most extraordinary figure: resilient, diligent (work ethic), incredibly charismatic, effortlessly cool (unpretentious, though he does not come across as someone who might have suffered fools, gladly or otherwise; not to be construed as rude or boorish though); an inspirational leader, a pathfinder, a nation-builder, a hero (due to his karm and wisdom), a strategist, sagacious and farsighted, a far-thinker, possessed plenty of guile and gumption no matter how daunting the issues and challenges confronting the respective eras/humanity/society, a Cakravartin (by dint of his actions/karm-yog; do refer link - for more details on Chakravartin and 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration'), a legend, an enlightening personage, a guiding spirit, a karm-yogi (man of action: ability to walk the talk, not workaholic), a transformational/renaissance figure (Yug Purush/Renaissance man), God manifest in human form (svayam Bhagavan, the 8^th Vishnu; the human manifestation [sagun swaroop] of Lord Vishnu/Narayan, His Purna Avatar)... and yet, an everyman. ~ Awesomeness. He is truly a rockstar of the ineffable. He's also a Soldier-Statesman-par-excellence (soldier against pessimism, confusion, decay and so on). He was up against tremendous odds; [dharma is not abstract moralism, and the like] ~ sermons would have had no effect on the likes of Shakuni, Duryodhan et al (who, along with their allies, not only wielded a great amount of clout, but also played with loaded dice - literally and figuratively. So, it was a veritable David against Goliath, in a manner of speaking.) [... One can truly understand him and the magnitude of his karm - only in one's mind's eye.] Each era/age/yug is distinct. Viewing them through the prism of another will be misleading. ~ The challenges at the end of Dvapar were manifold, and very different from those of Treta; humanity was different - their mindset, worldview, (perceptive and cognitive abilities) were different, ethical and social conditions were not the same either. Decay, indifference/impassiveness, inertia et al had set in. ~ Krishn's was the highest dharmic mission - right action for the greater good (not to be construed for moralism, etc - he was the catalyst for positive change; he stemmed the slide into quagmire); and by his very appearance (karm-yog + guidance), he reinvigorated/re-energized the principles of dharma (duty/action, even selfless action, for the benefit of humanity, for the greater good - to build a better society: dharma-samsthapanarthaya); he also urged (advised) humanity to (collective) introspection and action (karm-yog) - to duty. [Dharma is not quite ethics or duty alone, since dharma does not exist in a vacuum/void; it also means  a constructive 'way of life' i.e. actions/karm - for the larger good. It goes hand-in-hand with karm-yog.] ... Krishn advised humanity to shake-off inertia and embrace karm-yog. [There is no magic wand; thus, he also led by example and instructed through his own behaviour (acharan) - the mark of a true teacher/guru/mentor (but then, besides being the Cosmic Ruler, he is also the Cosmic Teacher); this aspect/dynamism remains constant, be it the Ramayana ('The Exertions of Shri Ram'/ Shri Ram was a Reformer-Prince and Cakravartin) or the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas').

~ Shri Krishn is a Soldier-Statesman, but a Cakravartin (do refer the relevant passages for more details on Cakravartin and 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration') by dint of his actions/karm; his actions were for a higher cause - Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater/collective good. | As a pathfinder his focus, tenacity and determination remains unwavering, he keeps the goals/objectives above himself. He was not amongst humans to become emperor himself. He is perennial guide. [Here is the complete five stanza of Tagore's "Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka..." (ruler/leader/captain of the minds of all people)... who has (in Tagore's own words) from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide... is none other than the eternal charioteer (perennial guide): link.] ... There is no alternative to cumulative karm-yog (collective action/duty/responsibility, even selfless/non-glory-seeking action/service to humanity/society) - to create/build [and sustain] a better (i.e. progressive, prosperous and inclusive) society/civilization. This is his message/advise/mantra. ~ One needs to contemplate and deliberate deeply - to understand his purpose, his karm and his message/advise. Only then it will percolate.] ~ Instead of being active participants in their own destiny, humanity cannot become idlers and mere spectators/bystanders. ~ That will lead to a gradual all-round degeneration/degradation. This is the core of his message. (... Thus, there is an organic interplay [yog] between finites and Infinite. ~ Karm-yog is the channel to establish this connection/yog; to unite our individual consciousness with the Universal Consciousness - the Jiva-atma/finites to the Param-aatma/Infinite.) ~ Krishn is the Perennial Guide - the (allegoric/metaphoric) shepherd to his flock. ~ There is no magic wand, no quick-fix, no instant solution; humanity will have to sort out their own issues - through collective effort, there is no one "out there" (a messiah figure) who will come and do it. They (avatars/empowered entities, maha-avatars/great incarnations and Purna Avatar - one in whom divinity is manifested fully) will guide and show the way - yes, however, there is no alternative to sustained karm-yog. ~ This has been the message of the Krishn-avatar (the 8^th Vishnu). And this has also been the message of the Buddh-avatar (the 9th Vishnu). [Prince Siddhartha/Shri Gautam Buddh - the 'Enlightened One' - was a Sage-Prince. He traveled widely; instead of isolating himself in some remote corner, he remained within society, engaged with the people (answered their queries, cleared their many doubts and confusions) and thus, disseminated his message of peace/co-existence, karm-yog (karma) and dharma (dhamma). Apart from being a fine teacher (guru/mentor) and guide, he was also a reformer. ~ Now whether he left his family in the wake of his quest for the 'truth' (dharma/dhamma, actions that benefit society) or met them whenever he could (i.e. whenever he could make time from all the traveling, sermons, meditation, and so on) - my guess is as good as yours.] ~ Krishn (the 8^th Vishnu) also 'closed' Dvapar... and navigated through complex/tortuous paths/events/situations to bring about the transition from Dvapar to Kaliyug (Kali means bud/flower)... which commenced from midnight of 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar. (Maybe from the confluence/conjunction of 17/18 February 3102 BC i.e. midnight onwards.) [This is because he departed on this date. The period after his departure marks the beginning of Kaliyug. (Lord Narayan/Harih/Vishnu is the motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universe. So, one can only wonder at the clockwork fashion/precision (work ethic) with which His maha-avatars work.) ~ Kali means bud/flower. Thus, Krishn was also a stabilizing factor (a preserver) - a catalyst for positive change, as well as a revitalizing entity (Renaissance Man/Yug Purush; he was the cause/catalyst that ushered in a new era/age/yug through circuitous/complex/tortuous events - by stemming the tide/slide into quagmire/'quicksand'.) ~ Only at the end of Kaliyug, when the metaphoric bud/flower withers away, the negative aspects of Kaliyug - i.e. the ghor Kaliyug phase/ the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay will be at its peak: cognitive abilities fall, intellectual faculties dim, comprehension/perception level is enveloped by a (symbolic) 'fog' of ignorance, apathy/indifference, delusion, stagnation, and so on; hence, it (the end of Kaliyug, that is) is (also) called the most degenerate of all ages/yugs). [Note: A cycle of four yugs (Chatur-Yug) - whose lengths follow a ratio of 4:3:2:1 is also known as a 'Maha-Yug' viz. Sat/Satya/Krita [the metaphoric Golden Age; the age of renewal/resurgence: prosperity, progress, wisdom, intellectual and spiritual illumination, and so on], Treta [Silver Age], Dvapar [Copper Age] and Kaliyug (Kali means bud/flower, but the end of Kaliyug is termed as ghor Kaliyug phase/'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay; this 'Iron Age' is a negative term). ~ A Maha-Yug (four-yug cycle) follows a ratio of 4:3:2:1 - hence Kaliyug is the shortest of all yugs.] 

[Note: Dharma is not straight and narrow; it is not abstract moralism or utopian/impractical idealism; it is not quite ethics, principles or duty alone - 'coz dharma does not exist by itself in a vacuum/void; dharma means right actions that lead to the greater/collective good - towards a better, prosperous and progressive society/civilization. It is not instant; it is collective/cumulative work-in-progress.  ... Dharma is connect (yog) between action/duty and its outcome. ~ Thus, dharma goes hand-in-hand with karm-yog (collective/cumulative work-in-progress). 

~ Karm-yog does not mean self-help. ... The conjunction/confluence of "karm" and "yog" indicate connect (yog/sanyog) i.e. sustained and cumulative or composite effort. Imbibing the spirit of dharma (right, tangible action for the greater good with the dharmic freedom of inner detachment/non-glory-seeking) and karm-yog is necessary. A combined/concerted/aggregate effort is sustainable; it also brings about positive organic change. Else it is unproductive. 

Each era/age/yug is distinct; viewing them through the prism of another will be misleading. E.g. one cannot quite compare Treta to Dvapar. ~ Treta is known as Silver Age, while Dvapar is called Copper Age - since there is a quarterly decline in dharmic principles, attitudes, value system, thought process, and so on and karm-yog (collective duty/right action - for the greater good). ~ And, all of this affects human society: social conditions, dynamics, mindset, perception, perspective, and so on... which in turn affects/shapes the worldview. Thus, comprehension/perceptive/cognitive abilities  too undergo a corresponding change; and so, a corresponding amount of ignorance, decay and so on sets in (gradually, that is - with the passage of each era/yug. ~ Thus, the end of Kaliyug - euphemistically called the ghor Kaliyug phase or 'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay - is the lowest phase of all; it is therefore regarded as the most degenerate of all ages/yugs/phases).

Krishn navigated through (a maze of) shifting power centers, tortuous events, intrigues, smokescreen, choppy waters, parochialism, 'cross-currents', politics, diplomacy, and so on... armed with only his brilliance ('Sudarshan Chakra'), his clear-sightedness/acumen, his wise counsel and his charm: observing, evaluating, assessing, networking, negotiating - sometimes with a gentle force of persuasion, (maybe even throwing in some platitudes or praise as and when required. It's all part of Dandaniti.) ~ He used his overpowering wisdom and intelligence in the struggle for supremacy, resulting finally in the re-establishment of a good phase/upward trajectory (the subduing/subjugation of assorted negative elements + their actions) and of right (the Pandavas and their allies) over wrong (Duryodhan and his allies). [He (thus) stemmed the slide into quagmire; he prevented events from spiraling out of control.] The tremendous political acumen of Krishn is highlighted in the way he used all the four principles of Dandaniti to destroy the malignant power centers, create new alliances that emerged as counter balances to the existing power structure and used diplomacy to bolster what was right. He used his basic superior intelligence for this one purpose. It took some time. It also took some effort (obviously, 'coz there's no quick fix, no magic wand - to bring about instant organic change to a myriad of challenges/issues). ~ But in the final analysis, he emerged as the leader whose judgment and veracity could not be disputed. His political acumen combined with his sharp intellect and personal courage established him as a major force. | Krishn comes across as pleasant, affable; regal - maybe, but sorted and approachable; he exudes a quite confidence and gravitas without breaking a sweat; he is on the ball, far-thinking and decisive... though not 'rigid rigid'/intransigent. That would be folly, not strategic. Instead, he comes across as 'savvy flexible'... a tactic sometimes necessary in dealing with inimical forces/entities (... especially if the latter were to wield great power and influence.) ~ In the world of diplomacy there is no such thing as promises or permanent friendship/alliances - without mutual commonalities. Both the quality and the quantity of mutual commonalities may advance positive alliance. It is crucial to tactfully employ alliance-building strategies. Nothing is cast-iron otherwise. (Events and situations are dynamic and ever-changing.) There are issues and interests, there is give-and-take; people and groups (even adversaries and unknown entities... who may have asymmetric resources, power and clout) sit across the table/meet with each other, interact and discuss (issues, concerns and points) - over a period of time - to align their interests, to identify commonalities and areas of convergence ~ to finally come to an acceptable agreement/convergence of interests/views or a reasonably win-win situation. [There would be no progress otherwise; it would result in a perpetual stalemate, and letting go of opportunities... and ultimately the converse of 'a stitch in time saves nine'. How then would a people and nation move into the direction they want to go?] In such a world/scenario... being 'rigid-rigid' is folly. [Savvy-flexible: visionary/far-sighted/far-thinking, sagacious (discerning enough to read situations/events... and how they are likely to unfold); to be able to see/keep the big (macro) picture in mind.] ~ An understanding of issues/events/situations and how they are likely to play out in the short/mid-term and long-term is crucial. ~ Krishn was a diplomat par excellence; he was simultaneously a nation-builder, a catalyst, and statesman-par-excellence as well - one who was among humans for a purpose; one who also thought about the future of humanity and civilizational progress... and this reflects in his many endeavours. (He was also the one who steered the intra-yug transition - from one era/yug to another - from Dvapar to Kaliyug.) ~ His sharpness, foresight and courage coupled with his visceral fortitude, ability to stay the course, savvy-flexibility and alchemic nature (i.e. his ability to withstand adversities + his ability to soak up 'toxin') made things happen (despite great obstacles/impediments, and despite him not being in a position of strength vis-à-vis his adversaries and so forth.) ~ Thus he is Yug Purush (Renaissance Man). | In Treta, one of the major reasons for the Ramayana War... was to destroy dangerous weaponry (including nagpaas and gigantic humanoid-robots like "Kumbhakarna" - that carried a variety of weaponry) ~ to protect this planet and civilizations therein. Shri Ram (the Ram-avatar/the 7^th Vishnu) also dismantled the "Shiv-dhanush" or Pinaka - euphemism for the most destructive nuclear weapons - after an all-round agreement/general consensus. ~ In Dvapar, one of the major purposes of the Dharm-Yudh (battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity/human society; dharm = right action for the greater good) was to rid the planet of extremely destructive weaponry and unnatural humans (highly evolved humanoids - genetically engineered and cloned) - to allow the planet, humanity and human civilization to "heal"... so as to progress naturally and peacefully.]

Krishn bide his time (the crocodile allegory ~ jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś cāsmi - since a crocodile can be associated with patience and precision) and chose the moment of action with precision; he also reinstated the old Ugrasena back on the throne. The opposite of Jarasandha in his goal, Krishn would be no 'samrat' (emperor) ~ for his status is that of 'svarat/svarāṭ' (one who removes tyrants - those who establish hegemony to the detriment of the people and society, and other such negative entities.) The fall of Jarasandh freed nearly a hundred chieftains/kings, various clans and indeed the whole country of the spectre of the (proverbial) all-constricting Magadhan python. Here is the idea of loka-sangraha ("welfare of all" or the "larger/collective good") exemplified. Krishn's brilliance, his overwhelming intelligence, far-sightedness and motives are precisely what should have engaged and inspired the likes of Dhritarashtra, Dronacharya, Bhishma Pitamah et al: to shun inertia/complacency, to overcome negative thoughts and narrow parochial motives... and to perform their dharma and duty/karm (i.e. to work for the greater/collective good - loka-sangraha or loka-kalyana.) | Krishn was not motivated by personal glory. His actions enabled the planet to gradually "heal", and humanity to gradually find its rhythm; it helped create a new and peaceful society that was progressive and prosperous. Thus, his thoughts and actions personify 'loka kalyana' (the greater good). His was nishkam karma at its finest (selfless/non-glory-seeking karm - for the larger/collective good); he simply performed his duty/karm (as the Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic Teacher). ~ The whole life of Lord Krishn is (thus) like the roaring sound of a conch (~ shankhadhvani is considered auspicious; it is soothing). Krishn exudes grace and goodness (and so, is also known as Sundar). He is a true karm-yogi (do refer the relevant passages on karm-yogi, nishkam karm and hamsah - the swan.) ~ It is the very human-ness of Krishn that is part of his aura... and transcends era/yugs. | The remarkable qualities of the head and the heart (noble traits/sattva guna) that makes Krishn pre-eminent among statesmen, counselors, diplomats and philosophers as well as among leaders of people and nations shines forth brilliantly. Thus, he is also a transcendent legend, a magnificent 'Yug Purush' (Renaissance man/Millennium Man/Man of Destiny or the Timeless Man). Sri Krishn has transcended eras/yug, his karm and his philosophy is timeless, he continues to inspire. | The renowned American thinker, poet, author, historian, philosopher and leading transcendentalist, Henry David Thoreau said, "A man is wise with the wisdom of his time only, and ignorant with its ignorance." This is true of ordinary people. But, in every era (yug), a handful of people appear amidst us once in a while, who prove to be an exception. At one level, these exceptional and extraordinary people are products of their time. But at another level they transcend their times. ~ Their perceptions, their insights, their thoughts, their actions and their concerns are truly universal - in all respects; they are neither constrained by the circumstances of their birth nor are they limited by the ignorance of their time. They are truly incomparable. Krishn is the foremost of such exceptional transcendental 'Yug Purush'. [~ Perhaps we can also call the very erudite (Brahmana is derived from Brhm - wisdom, knowledge - and signifies erudition) Chanakya Vishnugupt a 'Yug Purush'. Chanakya, who not only rid the country of yet another (proverbial) all-constricting Magadhan python, Dhana Nanda, but also the rampaging Alexander, in another era - to unite a fractured nation and lay the foundations of a glorious era. Chandragupta Maurya's humble origins made no difference to the great Master. [refer: link. Maurya comes from 'Moriya' or 'Mura'. (Pali: Mora) - the Moriya were peacock-feather gatherers.]~ Maybe even Samraat Chandragupta II Vikramaditya... who, by thwarting the designs (negative/malignant imperialistic ambitions) of the Sakas, and driving them out of wide swathes of land, (perhaps almost the whole of modern Asia)... established peace and prosperity under his wise, benevolent and enlightened rule. Thereafter, he assumed the title of Vikramaditya. (Vikram means: one who is wise, diligent, brave and strong as well as victorious. The Sanskrit word -kram is a root word meaning 'step or stride', so the name Vikram can be understood to mean Vishnu's stride in itself, or as a name which reflects the qualities of Vishnu's stride. In Vedic scripture, Vishnu's stride is said to be over the earth, the sky, and the all-pervading omnipresent essence of the universe/cosmos. Hence Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Keshavah is also known as Trivikram.) Aaditya = the Sun. Thus, Vikramaditya roughly translates to: the radiance of Vikram.] ~ Krishn - the Renaissance Man - is therefore, timeless and universal. He belongs to all eras/yug; his wisdom, his knowledge, his advice/counsel and his philosophy are ever relevant. | The Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a trove of knowledge, philosophy, guidance and counsel ~ that transcends eras/yugs. Krishn's advise is to shun negative thinking. He did not try to micromanage either. Instead, he let Arjun make his own decision. ~ And so, even when Arjun was overcome with feelings of confusion, Krishn very patiently brushed away the cobwebs of the mind (through the sublime and illuminating conversation now known as the Srimad Bhagavad Gita). He did not command Arjun. On the contrary, he was persuasive, provided sustained support and wise counsel. Thus the course of the Mahabharata resulted in an upward trajectory.

Krishn remains an enigma. He is deep blue. We admire the blue pre-dawn hours. The waters of the ocean look blue from afar. But if you go near and take it in your palms, you will no longer find it blue; it will be very clear, transparent. The oceans continue to remain an enigma. ~ Krishna too is just like the deep blue waters of the ocean: Achintya (inscrutable, enigmatic). Thus, he is often shown as having a dark-blue complexion: not just blue, but a deep blue, like the velvet blue/indigo that sometimes can be seen in a dark sky, like a blue that one may have at times seen from the deck of a ship thousands of miles from shore on the Pacific Ocean or perhaps on the Atlantic Ocean. ... And whenever there is something of unfathomable depth, it appears to be deep blue. ... Lord Krishn is like a deep and mighty river flowing through the history of our nation. The Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas') would have been very different without him. He was the fulcrum. ~ This transcendent man started out with tremendous disadvantage: his dethroned clan could not have made matters easier for him; his old grandfather (the dethroned Ugrasena) or even his father (Vasudev) could not have given him a leg up or lent him a helping hand either; also, influential members of his clan had aligned their interests with Jarasandha, Duryodhan, Kansh, etc; so all that coupled with the latters' machinations - thus Krishn found himself in the middle of events and circumstances so nebulous... that perhaps even its creators may not have fully understood. ~ However, all that did not turn him into a negative person; he was not pessimistic or sullen. He remained cheerful, resilient and invigorating. Besides, he was steely-nerved and politically astute, and possessed plenty of guile and intestinal fortitude. Besides, his understanding/reading/assessment of events/situations was prescient; his timing was perfect. And so, he worked tirelessly, ushered in/facilitated positive change, reformed, engaged, removed numerous obstacles, soaked up 'toxin', cleared away the 'cobwebs' of the past, "healed", provided guidance, traced the trajectory, put in place a framework/architecture... set the ball rolling, so to speak. ~ BG 2.47: || karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi || ~ Do your duty (i.e. imbibe the spirit of dharma - right action for the greater good + collective/cumulative karm-yog) to the best of your ability. Overcome your limitations. Concentrate on your convergences. Do not highlight your divergences/differences. Shun lethargy. Overcome inertia. Be positive. Never lose hope. ~ He led by example and instructed through his own behaviour (acharan) - the mark of a true teacher/guru/mentor. As per his stated: || dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge || ~ to renew/rebuild/re-energize/revive/reinvigorate/revitalize/rejuvenate the principles of "dharma" [right action for the greater/collective good] and "karm-yog" - for the benefit of mankind/humanity ~ so as to help create/build and sustain a better [progressive, prosperous, inclusive] human society/civilization, I manifest Myself yuge-yuge, yug/age/era after yug/age/era. | ~ So much so that even some five millenniums down the line... his life and times, his work/ contributions, his vision, his indomitable spirit, his philosophy and advice remain as fresh and as relevant as ever. They are timeless and seminal, and will remain so ~ forever. He comes across as approachable, not snobbish or aloof - though he may not have suffered fools gladly; and, he was neither a quitter nor impractical or unrealistic. He did not let a political vacuum/void to follow important events, e.g. he did not let a 'vacuum' or void to aftercede Jarasandh. He was not someone who lived in a world of fantasy, nor was his ideas and thoughts un-doable or impractical. Instead, he was a clear-eyed realist, a doer (karm-yogi - man of action; he possessed the ability to walk the talk), a catalyst, a phenomenon, and a force of nature. He is a trailblazer/pathfinder (he is the perennial guide, after all). ~ Frankly, Krishn is such a sparkling, riveting personage... no matter how much we write about him, it's still not enough. He's not transient/ephemeral; he does not come across as superficial or perfunctory either. He is trikalagya and 'turns the wheel of dharma (right action - for the greater/collective good) and karm-yog'; he awakens - by bringing out both the positive and the negative ~ so as to dispel confusion, apathy and ignorance (~ to usher in clarity, introspection and thereby organic transformation... leading to gradual corrective action/course correction - organic, positive change; upward trajectory.) He soaks up 'toxin'/negativism (to 'cleanse'/to remove human pettiness: to correct the course; to renew/re-energize; to help humanity ~ so that human society can function and progress). | However, wherever there is the convergence of purity (self-realization and non-glory-seeking) and depth (boundlessness) it produces the colour blue. Meghavarnam. The water of the seas and the sky - both are blue-hued. ~ And, since the Almighty combines both purity and depth or boundlessness... He too is (allegorically) 'blue-hued'. (~ It's a concept - to indicate His divine attribute/divinity.)

Prince Ram was a Chakravartin and reformer (refer link - for more details on Cakravartin and 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration'), he upheld Raj-dharma and established a prosperous, progressive and inclusive society, euphemistically known as 'Ram-Rajya'. Prince Siddhartha was a teacher, guide/mentor and reformer. Treta and Dvapar was very different. ~ The Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas') was a dharma-yuddha; it was a battle of ideas, principles, inclusivity, progress and vision - for the future of humanity/human society (~ not moralism or impractical idealism, etc) - for a better 'way of life'. It was about what should prevail? What should happen to humanity and human society of Dvapar and beyond? ~ Downward spiral or an upward movement? ~ Hence he is Brahma, a regenerating force - one who is the cause of/for revival.) ~ Imagine if Jarasandh (and his allies) or Duryodhan (and his allies) were to prevail - what would have been the outcome? What turn would the Mahabharata have taken? ~ Therefore, Krishn's was the highest dharmic mission: to stem the free-fall/churn/manthan; to protect, to preserve, to dispel sankat/calamity, and to stabilize and re-energize. He not only upheld Raj-dharma (the duties and responsibilities of a sovereign/ruler - to protect/preserve/regenerate/revive/reform/guide and show the way forward), but also upheld dharma - Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater good. ~ Shri Ram and Shri Krishn performed nishkam/selfless karm with the dharmic freedom of inner detachment; they were Cosmic Teachers as well as catalysts; they were pathfinders... no matter how daunting the issues and challenges confronting the respective eras/humanity/society. ~ That is why they are known as Hare-Ram and Hare-Krishna. ~ They did not discriminate. ~ BG 10.34: || kīrtiḥ śrīr vāk ca nārīṇāḿ smṛtir medhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā || ~ Among women I am glorious deeds (kīrtiḥ), radiance (śrīr), fine speech/persuasion (vāk), memory/clarity of thought/discernment (smṛtir), intelligence (medhā), resilience/steadfastness (dhṛtiḥ) and patience/forgiveness/high-mindedness/magnanimity/nobility of spirit (kṣamā).]

~ The Chandravanshi/Chandradhvaj/Moon-flag-bearing Yaduvansh derives its name from Yayati's eldest son, Yadu; Devayani was their ancestress. [~ Yayati hailed from a Chandravanshi/ Moon-flag-bearing clan.] ~ Yayati, as we know, did away with primogeniture, and crowned his youngest-born, Puru, as the heir to his "existing" kingdom (~ i.e. the areas he ruled... before he underwent stem cell therapy). Thus, Puru ruled his kingdom in the Gangetic plain. While Yayati's other four sons - Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu and Anu - were settled in the "newer" areas (~ the ones Yayati brought under his rule/control - during his "borrowed youth" ~ i.e. post his stem cell therapy.) | Yadu was the progenitor of the Yaduvansh (~ Sharmishtha was their ancestress.) Puru started the "Puruvansh" (also known as the "Bharatvansh"); thus his heirs came to be known as the "Bharatas". King Porus (Puru/Paurava/Parvateshvar) hailed from the Puruvansh (Pauravas). [Yayati and Dushyant's stories are part of the same history. Dushyant's son was Bharat.] | The Shurasenas or Shurasena Yadus (Megasthenes' Sourasenoi - refer link) were a branch of the Yadu clan/kula (the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or Harivansh) to which Krishn belonged. ~ But then, who were the Vrishnis? | Ancient tales speak of vimanas. Great wars have been described in various ancient texts. Weapons could literally level the land like a moving force field. The deserts on a number of continents today are the result of (prehistoric) nuclear warfare. ~ Historian K. M. Ganguli says that an atomic war is documented in the Mahabharata. Passages describe an ancient battle that included powerful Vimana, nagpaas (incorrectly translated/understood as "a trap made of a million snakes". Snakes = poisonous. So the nagpaas could be an allusion to very potent nerve agents, etc), and explosions of weapons ("shaft" or high-tech "missiles") that could "decimate entire armies, casting crowds of warriors with steeds and elephants and weapons to be carried away as if they were dry leaves of trees." Instead of mushroom clouds, the writer describes a perpendicular explosion with its billowing smoke clouds as consecutive openings of giant parasols. There are comments about the contamination of food and people's hair falling out. Even water boiling. ~ Consider these verses from the Mahabharata referring to an unknown weapon, an "iron thunderbolt": ... An incandescent column of smoke and flame as bright as the thousand suns rose in all its splendour... a perpendicular explosion with its billowing smoke clouds... the cloud of smoke rising after its first explosion formed into expanding round circles like the opening of giant parasols... it was an unknown weapon, an iron thunderbolt, a gigantic messenger of death, which reduced to ashes the entire clan of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas. ...The corpses were so burned as to be unrecognizable. The hair and nails fell out; pottery broke without apparent cause, and the birds turned white. After a few hours all foodstuffs were infected... to escape from this fire, the soldiers threw themselves in streams to wash themselves and their equipment. | Until the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, modern mankind could not imagine any weapon as devastating as those described in the ancient Indian texts. Yet, they very accurately described the effects of an atomic explosion. Radioactive poisoning will make hair and nails fall out. Immersing oneself in water gives some respite, though it is not a cure. | Other cities have been found in northern India that shows indications of explosions of great magnitude. One such city, found between the Ganges and the mountains of Rajmahal, seems to have been subjected to intense heat. Huge masses of walls and foundations of the ancient city are fused together, literally vitrified. ~ And since there is no indication of a volcanic eruption, the intense heat to melt clay vessels can only be explained by an atomic blast or some other unknown weapon. The cities were wiped out entirely. | The Indus valley is now the Thar desert, and the site of the radioactive ash found west of Jodhpur is around there. A heavy layer of radioactive ash in Rajasthan covers a three-square mile area, ten miles west of Jodhpur. For some time it has been established that there is a very high rate of birth defects and cancer in the area under construction. The levels of radiation there have registered very high on investigators' gauges. Scientists have unearthed an ancient city where evidence shows an atomic blast dating back thousands of years, from 8,000 to 12,000 years, destroyed most of the buildings and probably a half-million people. ~ Archeologist Francis Taylor says that etchings in some nearby temples he managed to translate suggest that the people prayed to be spared from the great light that was coming to lay ruin to the city. "It's so mid-boggling to imagine that some civilization had nuclear technology before we did. The radioactive ash adds credibility to the ancient Indian records that describe atomic warfare." | The Indus ruins: everything was crystallized, fused or melted. Even the bricks were melted on one side indicating a blast. ~ Walls, furniture, people melted, then crystallized. No natural burning flame or volcanic eruption could have produced a heat intense enough to cause this phenomenon. Only the heat released through something like atomic energy could have done this damage. Radioactive skeletons and melted remains; excavations found skeletons (flattened to the ground) scattered about the cities, in the streets - as if some instant, horrible doom had taken place. These skeletons are among the most radioactive ever found. | Researcher David Davenport claimed to have found a 50-yard-wide epicenter where everything appeared to have been fused through a transformative process known as vitrification. ~ Vitrification is a process in which regular-type stone gets molten into a magma state, and then it hardens again. But once the stone is hardened again it feels like glass. Amidst the ruins there is evidence of vitrification, which could only have been achieved if the material was exposed to extreme heat by some type of blast. | Several Indus Seals show the Zebu Bull ~ was it the symbol/insignia of the Vrishnis? Was the bison the symbol/insignia of the Andhakas? ~ My guess is as good as yours. | What could have happened in the Indus Valley? Was parts of a well-populated, ancient city destroyed by a horrendous explosion that seemingly could have been caused by an atomic bomb, evidenced by vitrified stones, crystallized, fused and melted together by a 1500 deg. C heat across 50 yards wide? | Was there a nuclear warfare between ancient civilizations? And did these skeletons give rise to the 'Aryan Invasion theory'? ~ My guess is as good as yours. | There is evidence that part of the Rama empire was devastated by nuclear war. ~ The Indus valley is now the Thar desert, and the site of the radioactive ash found west of Jodhpur is around there. A heavy layer of radioactive ash in Rajasthan, covers a three-square mile area, ten miles west of Jodhpur. | ~ Who was this "Indra" also known as Purandhara or destroyer of forts? Was it a reference to King Saalva (was he from Atlantis?) or someone else? Saalva and his attempt to destroy the city of Krishna. In the process it describes weapons which have all the earmarks of rocketry and aerial vehicles which have capabilities far beyond what we find today. [A Vimana could be made to become invisible - by 'Goodha', a mechanism that harnessed the powers, Yaasaa, Viyaasaa, Prayaasaa in the 8th atmospheric layer covering the earth, to attract the dark content of the solar ray, and then using it to hide the Vimana from the adversary.] Krishna of the Vrishnis and Krishna of the Mahabharata ~ are they same? ~ My guess is as good as yours. | Or was it Jarasandha (the king of Magadha) who launched a relentless assault against Krishn and his fellow Vrishnis in Mathura? [~ Vrishnis were the descendant of Vrishni (who in turn was a descendent of Yadu in Yaduvansh.) Krishn belonged to this branch of the Chandravansh of Vrishnis (~ and thus, he was also known as Varshneya). [~ The people of Dvarka were also known as the Vrishnis.] | Jarasandha had friendly relations with the Chedi king Shishupala, the Kuru king Duryodhana and the Anga king Karna. After the dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity/human society; in other words: right action - for the greater good), Magadha became the foremost of ancient kingdoms with the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the river Ganges. [Krishna founded the city of Pataliputra - 138 generations before the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. (Refer link - for Pataliputra.)] The Nandas and Mauryas ruled this kingdom. And maybe even the Guptas. ~ The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that spanned far and wide. This empire was formidable even to Alexander (refer link - for Chanakya, Pataliputra, etc).] [Note: Shri Ram was a nation-builder and Chakravartin-raja; whether his empire was confined to the contours of modern India or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. (Refer the relevant passages - for more details on Chakravartin and 'Chakravartin system of governance/administration'.) | Takshasila/Taxila: Taksha and Pushkala were Bharat and Mandavi's sons. [Mandavi was Sita's cousin; daughter of Kushadwaj (younger brother of Sita's foster-father, Sheeradwaj). Sheeradwaj is best known as Raja Janak; "Janak" being the title assumed by the kings of Videha, also known as Janakpur.] ~ Yudhajeet (Kaikeyi's brother) and Bharat (Kaikeyi's son) assimilated the kingdom of Gandhara... and built the city of Takshasila (named after Taksha - Bharat's son.) Bharat also built another city after his other son Pushkala; this city was known as Pushkala-vati or "Lotus City". ~ It was also known as Purusha-pura - the abode/city dedicated to the Cosmic Spirit/Energy (Purushottam Satya). ~ Takshasila: to the east of the river Indus was known to Alexander and the Greeks as: Taxila, while Pushkala-vati (Lotus City; possibly modern Peshawar) - to the west of the river Indus, was known to them as: Peukelaotis. ~ Later, the descendants of Bharat ruled this region from Takshasila. [... Now whether Takshasila, the place where the famed university existed, got its name from Taksha (son of Bharat and Mandavi) or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. ~ Bharat's kingdom was probably known as Taksha Khanda, and very likely extended up to modern Tashkent. | ~ Shri Ram's actions not only helped build a better/progressive society but also gave him the required gravitas and goodwill... once he ascended the throne; he (probably) deferred the coronation - to bring about positive societal change, Kaikeyi and Manthara aided him. ~ His 14-years-long exile was (very likely) a voluntary one; in his absence, (Kaikeyi's son) Bharat - younger to Ram but older than (Sumitra's twins) Lakshman and Shatrughna - was an acceptable alternative. [He may not have acquiesced on his own; 'coz even in Ram's absence he chose to sit next to the throne.] ~ Raja Dasarath was suffering from an assortment of old age-related ailments, and was (thus) keen to arrange the coronation. Shri Ram, however, (probably) wanted to defer it, 'coz as Dasarath's heir he would not have had the required gravitas to bring about social reform (~ to change perceptions, mindset, and so on, 'coz no amount of legislation or even royal decree would have achieved it); besides, kingly duties et al would have straitjacketed him. ~ Thus he is hailed as "Maryada Purushottam". ~ His actions resulted in a prosperous and inclusive society (euphemistically known as 'Ram Rajya'). | The "Rama Empire" (also known as the Ikshvaku Empire) was a nation of many large, sophisticated cities; it existed parallel to the Atlantean civilization (possibly in the mid-Atlantic Ocean), and was ruled by enlightened Priest-Kings who governed the cities. ["Great Teachers" or "Masters" who were the benevolent aristocracy of the Rama civilization led these cities. Today they are generally called "Priest-Kings". They were apparently men whose mental and yogic powers were of a degree that seems incredible to most people of today.] The seven greatest capital cities of the Rama Empire were known in classical texts as The Seven Rishi Cities. Rishi (Sanskrit: ṛṣI) signifies enlightenment, wisdom and knowledge. ... So, were these Seven Rishi Cities knowledge hubs or thinking hub? ~ My guess is as good as yours. [~ The yet-to-be-deciphered Rongo Rongo glyphs (in Easter Island) are strikingly similar to the still undeciphered Indus glyphs/script. So, was Easter Island an air base for the Rama Empire's Vimana route? ~ My guess is as good as yours. Also, 'agni-pariksha' is not literal; it is a colloquial phrase ('test by fire' or 'baptized by fire') indicative of challenges, tough times or hardships... something that Siya-Ram together persevered (along with Lakshman, etc) ~ in their quest/effort to bring about positive societal change - through change of long-held perception and mindset. They persevered, and mainstreamed various marginalized and underprivileged groups such as the adi-vasi or forest-dwelling human (van-nar) and 'tritiya prakriti' (various groups under this nomenclature); Shri Ram also improved the position of women by undoing several negative aspects prevalent in Treta. He thus established a progressive, prosperous and inclusive society, euphemistically known as 'Ram-Rajya'. It is very likely that there was dignity of labour. ~ 'Nose-cut' too is a colloquial phrase, indicative of hurt ego/pride or affront. Lakshman (very likely) spurned Surpanakha and she probably felt slighted. | With the cataclysmic sinking of Atlantis and the wiping out/destruction of (parts of) the Rama Empire with atomic weapons, the world collapsed into a "stone age" of sorts, and modern history picks up a few thousand years later.] | Kaikeyi belonged to the Kekaya Mahajanapada (kingdom) and hailed from a clan known as the Kekaya (also: Kaikaya or Kaikeya). Hence her name was Kaikeyi (i.e. of/from the Kaikeya); it also refers to the ruling clan of the Kekaya/Kaikeya clans (from which Kaikeyi hailed). The Kekaya/Kaikeya clans were settled in ancient Udyana/Oḍḍiyāna and is said to have dwelt between Gandhara and the VipASa (Beas). ~ She was the daughter of the mighty Ashwapati/Aśwapati (Ashwa/Aśwa = horse; Ashwapati/Aśwapati = Lord/Master of Horses; since the Kekayas were exceptional cavalrymen) - a long-term ally of Ayodhya. [The Kekayas also stood with Krishn during the dharma-yuddh - battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity/human society.] ~ Madri belonged to a clan known as the Madrakas or Medes (also: Madai); this clan probably migrated to ancient Persia, but later returned to 'Sapta-Sindhu' (Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ; refer link.) The Madrakas/Medes may also have been Anus - descendents of Yayati's son, Anu. ~ Gandhari, on the other hand, hailed from ancient Gandhar (it was an important kingdom and probably consisted much of ancient/Vedic Upaganasthan, meaning: land (sthan) of the allied clans. | || gandharvāṇāḿ citrarathaḥ siddhānāḿ kapilo muniḥ || ~ "Of the Gandharvas I am Citraratha (king of the Gandharvas), and among perfected beings I am the sage Kapila." ~ Gandhara probably derived its name from Gandharva. There is a well-known medicinal herb known as Asvagandha. Asva = horse. But asva may also mean Ashvaka - the people renowned for their horsemanship, i.e. people who were expert cavalry-men (aśva-yuddha-Kuśalah). Gandha = fragrance, odour or smell (though this may have been mistakenly taken as 'a reference to the odour of the root'). This herb probably was abundant in the Ashvaka lands (ancient Kamboja, the land of the ancient Gandharvas.) Therefore, apart from being adept at the performing arts and having mastery over an assortment of musical instruments, the Gandharvas were expert horsemen as well. The ancient Gandharva and Ashvaka were Soma-drinking guardians of our heritage. (Do also read the passages on Apsara.) | However, due to the excellent breed of horses and the sharp horsemanship of the people there, Upaganasthan gave way to Aspaganistan (Persian). ~ Just like how Ashv (Sanskrit) became Asp (Old Persian). Or how Sapta-Sindhu (Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ) became Hapta-Handu (Persian) - finally culminating in the word "Hindu". [~ The Avesta-speakers probably referred to Sapta Sindhavaḥ as Hapta-HAndu. ~ In Old Persian the 'S' for Sindhu/Sindhavaḥ (River Indus) becomes 'H' (due to lack of phonetics). Therefore: Sapta Sindhu/ Sapta Sindhavaḥ becomes Hapta HAndu. Refer link - for the genesis of the word "Hindu" and "India".] ~ There were two Kambojas: eastern and western Aśvakas. ~ The horse was a much sought-after animal or means of transport in these parts (ancient Kambojas). So much so that it became indispensable and an integral part of the people's lives (they took pride in horsemanship). [~ It is possible that some groups or clans were more attached to the horse than the others... and so, these groups/clans came to be known as the 'Children of the Horse' or 'Son of the Horse' - the Aspzai. The Greeks called them the Aspasioi. (Panini's Ashvakayanas is very likely an amalgamation of two words: Ashvaka + Ayana. Ayana = story, journey; Asva = horse, Ashvaka = horsemen.) ~ Much later, the asp became Esop... and so, the Aspzai became Esopzai.] In Sanskrit, ashv means horse. The generic term for these horsemen was Ashvaka (or Aśvakan - in Sanskrit). They were also known as: Assaka - derived from the Prakrit Assa (meaning: horse). Aśvaka/Aśvakan or Assaka literally meant: someone connected with the horses: a horseman, or a cavalryman or breeder of horses. Aśvaka is also interpreted as 'land or home of horses'. Kamboja was known as "the country of horses" (Asvanam ayatanam), and it was perhaps this aspect that the horse-breeders of ancient Udyana/Oḍḍiyāna became known as Aspasioi (from the Old Pali aspa) and Assakenoi (from the Sanskrit asva - horse). Ashv became Aspa or Asp in ancient Persian, while Ashvaka (or Ashvakan) became Aspagan and Sthan (Sanskrit) became Stan (Persian). (The Sanskrit 'sthan' (meaning: land or place) is 'stan' in Persian. ~ Both extremely erudite and mellifluous languages, the Old Persian-Sanskrit connection go back a long way.) The Kambojas were famous for their horses (ashv or aśva) and as expert cavalry-men (aśva-yuddha-kuśalah). Ashvakas (or Aśvakas), 'horsemen', was the term popularly applied to them, though they were included within the more general term: Kambojas. Now whether the Hayagreeva-avatar (refer link ) was worshipped in these parts or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. | Even Chaturanga (Sanskrit: caturaṅga) - an ancient Indian strategy game, (and the common ancestor of the board games chess, shogi, makruk, xiangqi and janggi) was developed during the Gupta era (around the 6th century AD). In the 7th century, it was adopted as shatranj in Sassanid Persia, which in turn was the form of chess brought to late-medieval Europe. Caturaṅga and shatranj - the tonal similarity is due to the Avestan Persian-Sanskrit connection.] | Arya or Aryan is not 'race', it means noble or noble-natured; it refers to a noble 'way of life'. (Arya Dharma = the Aryan way of life). The Arya people followed a pattern of life based on Arya-Dharma or Arya ethics/tenets, i.e. a noble way of life. Aryan-ness was simply their 'way of life'; they were inherently noble-minded or noble-natured. In ancient times there was no Central Asia, etc. 'Aryavarta' ('land inhabited by the Arya people') stretched far and wide. ~ It does not indicate homogeneity though; population demographics, physical characteristics, culture et al were not homogeneous or monolithic; and yet there was an underlying similarity/affinity in their 'way of life'. | The ancient civilizations were understood as Aryan, Mlechcha and Yavana. | Alexander was a Yavana. ~ Yavana indicates a people who were reasonably cultured, knowledgeable, great builders and architects, and yet... indulged in un-Aryan (ignoble) behaviour like slave-taking, buying and selling of humans in markets, plunder and pillage, misbehaviour with women, and so on. | Mlechcha = uncivilized. | As for the Aryans: not that there were no military conquests. There were. However, the emphasis was on synergy-creation (connect/confluence) and assimilation, learning from the new. There was no colonization, exploitation, slave-taking, et al a la (e.g.) Alexander - who left a trail of devastation in his wake. ~ A conquered nation and people were not treated shabbily; their 'way of life' etc were not overhauled; the women-folk, elderly people and children were not mistreated; livestock/animals, plants/trees were not harmed, water-bodies were not polluted - 'coz all of these were against Arya Dharma (noble 'way of life'). Instead, a conquered nation and people were provided with the same level of governance/administration (that the others experienced) and/or a better governance/administration (~ than what they experienced before). This helped to generate goodwill - for both cultures/peoples to comprehend each other better - a win-win. [~ Thus, examples were also set, and lessons effortlessly passed on to the next/future generation(s) ~ the quiet 'turning of the wheel' of karm-yog.]

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~ Krishn means "all-attractive/absorbing one" (and therefore, "black"; it is allegorical, not to be taken literally.) ~ Lord Narayan is Rohit (Rohitah/Lohitah in Sanskrit). And so, Krishn too is probably reddish-hued (Lohith/Rohitah or Rohit). ~ The rare blue lotus is termed pushkara or indivara. It is also known as krishna kamal - signifying the wisdom of knowledge (Kundalini). ~ Many say: there is no blue lotus, no such flower exists or ever has; that it is a botanical chimera. So, whether blue lotus is allegorical or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. | ~ The seal bearing the motif of a 3-headed animal representing the bull, unicorn and goat is the seal of Dvarkadheesh Sudarshan Vasudev Krishn. ~ The symbology of the Bull: Dharma (selfless/nishkam karm + dharmic freedom [inner detachment]) is generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull, Vrishabha. (~ Therefore, Lord Narayan is also called Vṛṣabha (the Great Bull). ~ He is also Dharmadhyaksha - Lord of Dharma (Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma.) | The Unicorn (eka-shringa or one-horned horse) is imagery, it signifies blue lotus: rarity. | The goat probably indicates Aries (or maybe, the Mṛgaśira - the constellation Orion). [Note: Also, since Shri Ram's eyes are compared to the Blue Lotus (pushkara or indivara), could it be that he was blue-eyed? ~ My guess is as good as yours. ~ But then, the term 'blue lotus' is allegorical; it refers to Krishn/Keshavah - the Unicorn - symbolizing rarity). | The rare blue lotus is known as krishna kamal - signifying the wisdom of knowledge (Kundalini - do read the passages on Kundalini). ~ The seal bearing the motif of a 3-headed animal representing the bull, unicorn and goat is the seal of Dvarkadheesh Sudarshan Vasudev Krishn (also known as Keshavah) - refer the relevant paragraphs to know what Keshavah and the symbology behind the seal means.) | Therefore, Shri Ram's eyes - compared to the Blue Lotus probably is allegorical. [Tagore said: nayan o somukhe tumi nai/ nayanero maajhkhaane niechho je thnai/ ... shyamale shyamal tumi neelimaye neel.] ~ Krishn means the "all-absorbing one"/Shyam/Ghanshyam (it is allegorical, not to be taken literally.)

Krishn is eternal, rustproof; therefore his appearance is celebrated, while his departure is not commemorated. [Probably the same is applicable for the other maha-avatars.] ... His advise, message and guidance is ever-relevant; they are not lofty, impractical or presumptuous; on the contrary they are realistic, pragmatic and doable - based on the nature and complexities of the challenges (faced by human society/civilization). ~ 'Coz each era/age/yug is distinct. Viewing them through the prism of another will be misleading. E.g. one cannot compare Treta to Dvapar. ~ Treta is known as Silver Age, while Dvapar is called Copper Age - since there is a quarterly decline in dharma and karm-yog, and this affects human society: social conditions, population, dynamics, mindset, worldview (comprehension/perceptive/cognitive abilities), etc too undergo a change; and so, some amount of decay sets in. When the manthan/churn becomes too great, the maha-avatars arrive to correct the course - to put it back on an upward trajectory; however collective and sustained karm-yog needs to continue. [~ The maha-avatars are Cosmic Teachers; protectors, preservers, stabilizing factors, catalysts, reformers, and so on; they don't prove anything. They guide (based on the challenges of the era/time), they change the course, they also shine a light/hold a mirror to society - for it to collectively introspect and take necessary measures. ~ There is no magic wand, no quick-fix, no instant solution - that is the lesson; humanity will have to sort out their own issues - through concerted effort, there is no one "out there" (a messiah figure) who will come and do it.] Positive transformation/change is not immediate/instant, that is impractical; there is no magic wand etc; it is incremental - the outcome of cumulative/collective work-in-progress. Only that will sustain. ~ Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is the metaphoric Golden Age; it is the age of renewal/resurgence/rejuvenation: prosperity, progress, wisdom, intellectual and spiritual illumination, and so on. Not instant or sudden transformation, but slow and steady work-in-progress. ~ Kali means bud/flower; however, the end of Kaliyug is known as ghor Kaliyug phase or 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay. [Here, 'Iron Age' is a negative term.] Ghor Kaliyug phase is thus the lowest point of all - based on the cumulative quarterly decline/decay of human society. | However, Dvapar was the most advanced of all ages/eras/yugs. [Do refer link - for more details.] ~ And if we are to factor in the all-round achievements (in science, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, metallurgy, art, architecture, literature, poetry, sculpture, education, innovation, research, knowledge, technical know-how, trade et al) in Kaliyug - until the Gupta Era (where it all reached its zenith) - we can get an idea of how Kaliyug actually was ~ before decay set in... leading to the ghor Kaliyug phase euphemistically known as the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay.) ~ A complete cycle of four yugs is called Chatur-Yug or Maha-Yug; their lengths follow a ratio of 4:3:2:1. Thus, Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is the longest, while Kaliyug is the shortest. [Note: Lord Narayan/Harih/Vishnu/Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram/Satya-Sundar is the motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universe. ... One can only wonder at the clockwork fashion/precision with which His maha-avatars work; 'coz the eras/yugs will 'close' and a new one 'commence' with precision. Even transition will happen with precision. ~ Time and tide waits for none.]

~ Keshavah - one who is himself the three: kah Brahma (Creator; Universal Consciousness, Omswaroop; creator/usherer of a new "dawn"/era/yug; re-energizer/regenerator/Renaissance Man/Yug Purush), ah Vishnu (protector and preserver/stabilizing factor) and Isa Shiva (destroyer/dispeller of calamity/sankat/troubles of humanity/human society; "Neelkanth" - the allegoric 'blue-throated one') - thus, Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram (do refer the relevant passage on Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram). He is Omswaroop - the manifestation (swaroop) of OM or AUM - auspicious sound, the sound of the universe itself. Thus he is HariOM. | ~ BG 10.23: || rudranam sankaras casmi || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Lord Shiva]. ~ Thus, Rudra-Siva. [They are not different entities.] ~ And so, Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara are not three different entities either. ~ Krishn (Hari-Krishna) himself is Shiva/Hara/Rudra/Sankara simultaneously. These are three different aspects. ~ Shivah means: the kindly auspicious one; one who is eternally pure; a kind herdsman (shepherd) of jiva-souls (individual or human souls.) ~ Shivah does not mean destroyer-destroyer; this aspect (i.e. the Shiva/Sankara/Rudra/Hara aspect) of Hari-Krishn indicates: destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat, as well as dispeller/destroyer of ego/vanity/vainglory, ignorance, illusion, delusion, confusion, 'toxin' (Neelkanth), and so on. [Note: Since Hari-Krishn himself is Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara, therefore, Virupaksha (oblique eyes) is used for both the aspects: the Hari (aspect) as well as the Hara (aspect). ~ Rudraksha means: eye of Rudra (Rudra-Siva/Hara/Sankara). ... So, whether Virupaksha and Rudraksha have different meaning or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. Hari/Hara/Hare also means: destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat; in other words: one who protects, preserves/stabilizes.]

keshavah: one who is himself the three: kah Brahma, ah Vishnu and Isa Shiva; in other words: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram (do refer the relevant passage on Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram). | One who is himself the three: kah (refers to Brahma; He is also Prapitaamahah: The creator of Lord Brahma (father of the 'father of beings'/thus Lord Brahma is also known as Pitamah); ah (refers to Vishnu - the Preserver-Stabilizer) and Isa (refers to Shiva - the Destroyer; but Shivah is not destroyer-destroyer); thus, keshavah indicates the three aspects: of Creation-Stabilizing/Preservation-Destruction. ~ And therefore, Lord Narayan (Satya-Sundar: Satya/Eternal-Sundar/Grace and Goodness) is also known as Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram. | kah Brahma denotes Brhm (enlightenment/knowledge/wisdom, etc ~ indicative of the Sahasrara - the 7th chakra/the crown chakra - the highest chakra); ah Vishnu/Narayan (stabilizer-preserver - depicted with the Sudarshan Chakra); and Isa Shivah (destroyer/dispeller; it also indicates the 6^th Chakra, also known as Ajna Chakra or Brow Chakra - the third-eye chakra.) [~ Note: Do read the paragraphs on Ajna Chakra/Brow Chakra, Shasrara and Kundalini.]

~ Krishn is Trikalagya: a "bhuta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhu" ("The Master of all things that exist in the past, future, and present"). ~ As he says to Arjun, that (as Almighty) he knows everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. ~ BG 7.26: || vedaham samatitanivartamanani carjunabhavisyani ca bhutani mam tu veda na kascana || ~ Therefore, his advise, message, guidelines/guidance is intrinsically linked to this aspect. (After all, he is Supreme Creator and Universal Consciousness (Brahmn); the highest authority of the universe/cosmos - Aadidevah or Aadinath.) ~ Hari-Krishna is Lord Narayan's Purna Avatar; God manifest in human form (svayam Bhagavan). ~ However, this is his manifestation to humanity; this is how he appears and interacts with earthlings/human society. ~ His primal/primordial form - as the Supreme Lord/Lord of Lords [maheśvaram] is the "Vishwa-roop" or "Viraat-roop". ... And that is intimidating; even Arjun felt overawed. ~ Hence he assumes a human form. He appears as the Cosmic Teacher - as a karm-yogi, a friend, a mentor, a guide/pathfinder and well-wisher of mankind. He engages and interacts; he assesses the nature and condition(s) of human society (caliber, mettle, intellectual and cognitive abilities, and so on); he also shines a light/holds a mirror to human society... and (accordingly) provides his guidance/advise. ~ He divests himself of his godliness - (probably) 'coz humanity (maanava-s/human species) is different from Higher Beings, therefore, human society has its own dynamics; and so, only organic change will sustain. [Thus, there is no alternative to collective and sustained karm-yog... to create/build (and sustain) a better society/civilization.] ~ In their human form we can find similarities in personality/character traits between the Ram-avatar (the 7^th Vishnu) and the Krishn-avatar (the 8^th Vishnu). ~ Krishn remains the same - his caliber and brilliance/wisdom/sagacity/far-sightedness et al (known as Sudarshan Chakra) does not change. [He is not Garuda-Dhvaja for nothing.] ... What changes though are the eras/yugs: its challenges, dynamics and complexities, the social conditions, nature/mindset/intellectual capacity/worldview, etc of humanity/human society/civilization. ~ As the Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic Teacher, his actions and guidelines/guidance (thus) takes into account these aspects/factors. E.g.: #1. What he could impart to Arjun may not have been the same as what he can impart to someone of a lesser caliber. [~ There is no magic wand, etc - to bring about instant positive change/transformation in society; the alternative (therefore) is karm-yog; 'coz only incremental and organic change will sustain.] #2. The humanity/human society of Dvapar was (somewhat) prepared (w.r.t. mettle, caliber, cognitive abilities, social conditions, and so on) - to be able to imbibe and incorporate what Krishn imparted; they could grasp some of it. In fact, Dvapar was the most advanced of all ages/eras/yugs. [Do refer link - for more details. ~ If we are to factor in the all-round achievements (in science, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, metallurgy, art, architecture, literature, poetry, sculpture, education, innovation, research, knowledge, technical know-how, trade etc) in Kaliyug - until the Gupta Era (where it all reached its zenith) - we can get an idea of how Kaliyug actually was ~ before decay set in... leading to the ghor Kaliyug phase (euphemistically known as the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay).] ~ Synergy/Connect (yog) is required between finites and Infinite. This awakens kundalini power. [And, therefore, karm-yog is important.] ~ However, if the Jiva-atma (human souls/finites) is unable to connect (yog) with the Param-aatma (Supersoul/Infinite) there will be no synergy creation; and therefore, humanity/human society/civilization will be unable to benefit from the One's guidance and wisdom. ~ Hence Krishn constantly advises humanity to connect with His energy; he also advises humanity to (sustained) introspection and karm-yog. (~ Thus, there is a perennial organic interplay [yog] between finite and Infinite, between created and Uncreated, between evanescent and Eternal.) 

(e.g.) Arjun understood Krishn very well: his actions, advise, ideas, guidelines and so on. Thus Krishn says: pāṇḍavānāḿ dhanañjayaḥ ~ I am Arjun among the Paandavs. ~ It indicates connect (yog) between them, and therefore, synergy creation. [~ However, this may not have been the same with someone of a lesser mettle, caliber and intellectual and perceptive abilities than Arjun.] ~ It does seem that the arrival of maha-avatars (including the Purna Avatar) is for a specific period of time, details of which were shared with our ancients well in advance (possibly due to their interactions with Higher Beings); (maybe) so as to not only intimate humanity of the arrival of the maha-avatar, but to also provide human society with an opportunity to prepare itself (~ to benefit fully from the avatar's guidance). ... The avatars never proclaim themselves. [~ Though in their human form, their portrayal e.g. in the Ramayana ('The Exertions of Shri Ram') and the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas') - is ample indication.] Note: Shri Ram is integral to the Ramayana and the face of the Suryavanshi/Sun-flag-bearing Raghukula/Raghuvansh (his clan, lineage). While Shri Krishn is at the heart of the Mahabharata and the face of the Chandravanshi/Moon-flag-bearing Yaduvansh. ~ Also, the avatars' arrival and departure (very likely) is in a clockwork fashion, since the universe is mathematically precise; and so, the eras/yugs will 'close' and a new one 'commence' with precision. ~ As they say, time and tide waits for none.

Kundalini and Sahasrara Chakra: Kundalini = a concentrated field of intelligent, cosmic, invisible energy absolutely vital to life; beginning in the base of the spine when an individual begins to evolve - as wisdom is gained. ["Kundalini" (kuṇḍalinī), means: coiled. Sanskrit: kund = "to burn"; kunda = "to coil or to spiral".] ~ Kundalini has been described as liquid fire and liquid light. The ultimate outcome of kundalini is the union of Will (sakti-kundalini), Knowledge (prana-kundalini) and Action (para-kundalini). (~ And this should help us gauge/understand what level of kundalini/'serpent power' Krishn and even e.g. Chanakya possessed, or for that matter, Chandragupta Maurya and Vikramaditya possessed.) ~ In literal terms, the 'samudra-manthan' or 'sagar-manthan' tale is (also) an allegorical description of what transpires during a kundalini-awakening process. ... Kundalini is a latent energy that lies dormant in the spine. Upon awakening, it rises in a sensation akin to a slithering reptile, up the spinal column (Meru-danda, also represented by the [allegoric] Mount Meru [Mandar Parvat] in the story. ~ Allegoric - 'coz Mt Meru or Mandar Parvat is not a real mountain.) | BG 10.23: || meruh sikharinam aham || ~ "and of mountains I am Meru." ~ Here Mt Meru is an allegory for Sahasrara Chakra - the 7^th chakra - the crown chakra (the highest chakra). | BG 10.28: sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ ~ and of serpents I am Vāsuki. ~ Here Vasuki is an allegory for kundalini. ~ If we look at the human brain: there is the left hemisphere (side 1) and the right hemisphere (side 2)... the area in the middle is (allegorically) occupied by a 'serpent'. [~ Therefore, we can say, kundalini is 'serpent power'.] Maybe, this power 'ignites' or 'illumines' the mind, in a manner of speaking; this in turn results in an immense amount of intelligence, foresight, wisdom, perception, vision, sagacity, and so on - which (then) leads to great deeds/karm. Its all interconnected (yog); therefore, kunda = "to coil or to spiral". [Note: It is possible that this power (kundalini or 'serpent power') was mistranslated/misinterpreted to mean: 'a serpent's crown jewel' or 'the priceless jewel found inside the head of serpents'.] ~ Chakras are centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ Kundalini is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy) to be fully 'awakened'. And this happens when Kundalini reaches the 7^th chakra - Sahasrara/the crown chakra (the highest chakra). [~ The seventh chakra (Sahasrara) is the chakra that integrates all the chakras with their respective qualities. It is the last milestone of the evolution of human awareness. This happens when Kundalini passes through the top of the head, at the fontanel area. ... When the Kundalini reaches the Sahasrara, the 'lotus petals' open and enlightenment takes place. ~ The Kundalini (then) unites our individual consciousness with the Universal Consciousness (the jiva-atma/finites to the Param-aatma/Infinite).] ~ This state is also said to be the state of complete wisdom. [All this emphasizes the organic and deep connection (yog) between Jiva-atma (the individual/human souls/finites) and Param-aatma (the Supersoul/Infinite). ... This union of Jiva-atma (the individual/human soul) with the Param-aatma (Supersoul) is called "Sanaatan Dharma": connecting (yog) with the Higher Self or seeking communion (yog) with the Universal Consciousness (Brahmn or Param-aatma or Almighty). ~ "swa" is "higher self", "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation (of Swastika) can be interpreted as: "being with higher self" (i.e. yog/sanjog with the Supersoul). Lord Narayan/Vishnu is also known as "Svasti": One who is the source of all auspiciousness (~ i.e. dispeller of troubles/calamity; pathfinder). [Do refer link - for more details on Swastika, Vishwa-roop or Viraat-roop, Kurma-avatar, samudra-manthan, etc.]

[More on Sahasrara - the 7^th chakra/the crown chakra (the highest chakra); do also read the above paragraph: The Shiva and the Shakti - the masculine and feminine - join within Sahasrara to create brahma-ranhdra, the transcendence of both (Ardhanarishvara?) ~ Within this chakra, the individual personality dissolves into the essence of the all. ... This is the chakra of (metaphoric/symbolic) one thousand petals. Sahasrara is unique in many ways. All other chakras feature upward, pointing lotuses. In the Sahasrara, the lotuses point downward, symbolizing freedom from the mundane (i.e. a Siddha, self-realized), and divine rain from its petals. The Sahasrara chakra was not considered an in-body chakra; (earlier) it was pictured as lying atop the head. The Saharsara is considered beyond most symbolic representations, although the chakra is usually perceived as white. ~ The Sahasrara is considered beyond senses, sense organs, and vital breath. As such, it is often described without a seed syllable, although some sources depict it with an OM. [~ OM or AUM is associated with both the Hari aspect and Hara aspect - Hari-Hara.] (Do also read the earlier paragraphs for more info on Sahasrara chakra and Hari-Hara.)

AUM (also known as OM): The syllable OM (written out as AUM with each letter having its own significance) represents Brahmn, the supreme creator (Srashtaa), as well as the whole of creation. OM represents the Shabda Brahmn. It is the primeval sound - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad - the sound of the universe itself. The uttering of the sacred and mystical OM is called Onkar or Omkar. It is the sound of the origination and dissolution of the universe. The past, present, future and all that transcends time are all included in this sound. It represents that Jyotiḥ-mayaḥ/Tejasvi - Brahm-jyoti - the Divine effulgence/Cosmic Light or Light Divine (also referred to as "Brahmn"/Universal Consciousness) - emanating from Goloka-Paravyoma (the spiritual abode of Shri Hari/Krishn). ~ It is the light that impersonalists perceive in the Nirguna (unmanifested - avyaktah/Niraakar) mode of God/Almighty. Lord Narayan is the personification/manifestation (Omswaroop) of OM or AUM. Thus, He is Hariom. He is Omprakash - light of OM, light of the world. ~ The Gayatri Mantra (one of the most auspicious and oldest of mantras) is a prayer to this Jyotiḥ-mayaḥ/Tejasvi (effulgent Brahmn/Brahma-jyoti) as well as to the Pratyaksha-Brahmn - the Sun (jyotiḥ, Sūrya, Aaditya) ~ without whom there can be no life on the earth-plane. [~ Technically speaking, what promotes life is the energy of the sun. The rays from the sun not only support life, but the rays of the sun are indeed the source of life itself.] ~ Enhance the efficacy of the life principles, including one's body, mind and soul. ~ Visualize the sun's rays streaming forth into your body, mind and soul... guiding you through the path of illumination (sūrya-dvāreṇa): || AUM Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat [link2] || ~ Pronounced: || OHM BUR BOO-VAH SVA-HA TAHT SAH-VEE-TOOR VAHR-EHN-YUM BHAHR-GO DEH-VAHS-YAH DEE-MAH-HEE DEE-YOH YOHN-AH PRAH-CHOD-DAH-YAHT || ~ OM. I revere the Divine Self who illuminates the three worlds - physical, astral and causal; I offer my prayers to that God who shines like the Sun. May He enlighten our intellect. [Alternatively: "O Lord, You are the protector of life and of breath, dispeller of miseries and bestower of happiness. You are the creator and the most acceptable intelligence, possessing eternal qualities. May Your qualities and Your inspiration pass to us."] | The Gayatri Mantra is also known as Savitr Mantra; Savitr means the Sun, the majestic effulgent Sun-god (jyotiḥ, Sūrya, Aaditya) - Pratyaksh/Manifest-Brahmn ~ without whom there can be no life on the earth-plane. The Sun-god stands for an embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on. 

The Gayatri mantra is considered one of the most universal of all mantras, invoking the universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial Sun. ~ BG 10.35: || gāyatrī chandasām aham || ~ I am Gāyatrī mantra among the Vedic mantras. [Krishn is essentially indicating that He is the manifestation of that universal Brahmn ~ refer the earlier part of the post to know more about Brahmn - the Absolute, Cosmic Light or Light Divine.] Here are some of the meanings embedded in this mantra:

Bhur	(earth) / Pranaswaroop
Bhuvah	(atmosphere) / Dukh Nashak
Swaha	(heavens) / Sukh Swaroop
Tat	(that)
Savitur	(of the source) / Tejasvi
Varenyam	(to be held sacred) / Shresht
Bhargo	(light) / Paap-nashak
Devasya	(of the effulgent) / Divyo ko
Dhimahi	(we meditate on) / Dharan karen
Dhiyo	(that illumined intelligence, wisdom) / Buddhi ko
Yo	(which) / Jo
Nah	(us) / Hamari
Prachodayat	(inspires) / Prerit kare

~ BG 4:42: || tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaḿ hṛt-sthaḿ jñānāsinātmanaḥ chittvainaḿ saḿśayaḿ yogam ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata || ~ Therefore, sever the ignorant doubt (ego, ignorance, vainglory, etc) in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline (i.e. duty, responsibility; in other words: to imbibe the essence of dharma/inner detachment/actions that lead to the greater good + karm-yog). Arise. (i.e. shun ennui, tardiness or slothfulness, despondency, pessimism, and so on. Embrace karm-yog - for the betterment of society.) ~ Here, Krishn is (also) advising us to awaken Kundalini. ~ The dynamism in us is also Fire*. The Kundalini 'Fire' causes enlightenment of the brain cells. But enflaming the Kundalini 'Fire' requires service to the fellow beings, to the society (selfless/non-glory-seeking/nishkam service/action... that helps build a better society.) ~ One has to dedicate oneself to nishkam karm (selfless/non-glory-seeking karm)... without which the Kundalini 'Fire' is not ignited/'awakened'. ~ Agni (auspicious effulgence, Light Divine) exists as Cosmic Fire, Solar Fire and as Frictional Fire. The Kundalini Fire is Frictional Fire, when it is below the diaphragm. When it is above the diaphragm, it is already Solar Fire, and when it reaches the brain, it is Electric Fire (brilliant white). ~ As one progresses regularly (in nishkam karm/selfless, non-glory-seeking action/service for the benefit of humanity and human society), the brilliance of the 'Golden disc' grows. Just as the morning Sun (Golden in colour) grows to brilliant white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' visualized at the eyebrow centre rises to Ajnea center/chakra and shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. ~ This is the final state of the Kundalini 'Fire'. When this 'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the opening of the (symbolic) Third Eye (Ajna Chakra)*. ~ Only when human beings gain enlightenment (the state of complete wisdom) - i.e. when the Sahasrara Chakra (the [metaphoric/symbolic] thousand-petalled Lotus) within the brain (behind the forehead) opens up fully... the kundalini power has been fully awakened. ~ Krishn is associated with the mind, heart and soul/spirit. (For Sudarshan Chakra - do refer to the later parts of this post, as well as to the paragraphs mentioning Shahasrara Chakra.) The Krishn-avatar (the 8^th Vishnu) and the Kalki-avatar (Krishna-Kalkiḥ; the 10^th Vishnu, the final avatar of the Dasavatara - keshava dhrta-kalki-sharira - Krishn as Kalkiḥ); is associated with Kundalini (and the Sahasrara: the 7^th chakra/the crown chakra - the highest chakra). [~ This maybe 'coz when Krishn arrived some amount of degeneration/decay had set in. (Hence, Dvapar is called 'Copper Age'). ... He not only 'closed' Dvapar but also put things on an upward trajectory - Kaliyug (Kali means bud/flower). Thereafter, the collective karm-yog of humanity/human society continued on this path. ~ However, the 10^th Vishnu is expected to arrive when the negative aspects (i.e. the ghor Kaliyug phase/the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay) will be at its peak. 'Iron Age' is a metaphor to indicate the extent of all-round stagnation and decay. (Thus, the end of Kaliyug - euphemistically known as 'Iron Age'/ghor Kaliyug phase is considered as the most degenerate/degraded (worst) of all ages/yugs.) ~ The 10^th Vishnu is (therefore) Renaissance Man/Yug Purush... who will not only 'close' Kaliyug (including the 'Iron Age'/ghor Kaliyug phase), but also set the stage for the (metaphoric 'Golden Age' - the best of eras/ages/yugs - Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle/Maha-Yug to manifest.) However, for a complete renewal/renaissance, kundalini awakening is vital. And so, a confluence of dharma and karm-yog is important. ~ Thus, Krishn's advice is perennial/ever-relevant. [Note: The Kalki-avatar is depicted as a 'lone warrior' (not to be construed as 'one-man show'); it is simply a sign of the times; since ghor Kaliyug phase or the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay will be at its peak... he alone will 'pull chestnuts out of the fire' (i.e. be a dispeller of Troubles/Calamity/Sankat, a Pathfinder); everyone else will be too busy working at cross-purposes and/or in pursuit of narrow/parochial interests. ~ Hence, many regard the Kalkiḥ-avatar (Krishna-Kalki) as Krishn+ (as the best form of the Krishn-avatar), as well as the best of the Dasavatara. ~ But then, Krishn and Kalkiḥ are a continuation.] ~ || Sri Krishna Govind Hare Murare, Heye Nath Narayan, Vasudeva, Tribhuvan ke Swami, Sakha Hamare, Heye Nath Narayan Vasudeva || [Note: Hare = dispeller [Haran] of Troubles/Calamity/Sankat, Pathfinder; Murare = metaphor for calamity/sankat. Govind = the (allegorical/metaphoric) shepherd to his flock. Vasudeva = Lord of the Earth/Father of the World. Tribhuvan ke Swami = Lord of Creation/Sovereign of the Universe. Narayan = benefactor of mankind/human society/civilization. Sakha hamare = eternal friend, guide and well-wisher of humanity. Nath = Cosmic Ruler/Guardian.] 

*The (symbolic) "third eye" (very likely) indicates the Ajna chakra (Brow Chakra, the 6^th chakra, the third eye chakra ~ denoting spiritual guidance.) It is also known as the "divya chakshu" (the divine eye) or the eye of knowledge. The third eye chakra is located in the brain, directly behind the eyebrow center at the top of spinal chord i.e. at the medulla oblongata. A two-petalled lotus symbolizes Ajna chakra. The left petal represents the moon or the ida nadi and the right petal represents the sun or the pingala nadi ~ which meet the central Sushumna nadi (channel; one of the body's main energy channels) before rising to the crown chakra, Sahasrara (~ the 7th chakra/the crown chakra - the highest chakra). Within the (symbolic) two-petalled lotus is a perfectly round circle that symbolizes the "shoonya" or the void - i.e. the state completely devoid of ego/ahamkara. In this circle the symbol OM is written. 'OM' is the mantra and the symbol of ajna chakra (the "third eye"). ~ Krishn is depicted with a symbolic 'golden disc' indicating third eye chakra. [Sushumna awakening is part of kundalini awakening. The two additional energy channels that play an important role in our energy system are "ida" and "pingala".]

~ On a separate note: *Agni (auspicious effulgence, Light Divine) also symbolically represents the spiritual fire of life and the processes of transformation. Agni is the foremost amongst purifiers - to overcome the negativism/pessimism/confusion et al clouding the hearts and minds. ~ Agni, therefore, signifies renewal/re-energizing.

The 'chakra' in Sudarshan Chakra (do also read about the Sahasrara Chakra discussed earlier in the post) - is a reference to the mind chakra or Manasa Chakra (Mind Lotus), which is connected with most of the head (especially the brain), it is a combination of sensing and intellect. That's the ability to see and hear the world, to make sense of things, sort them out, and figure out how they all fit together. Possibly this is the intellect and intuition aspect of the (metaphoric/symbolic) Third Eye. (Su = good, auspicious. Darshan/darshanah = appearance. It refers to Krishna's charismatic presence, personality, intelligence, wisdom, sentience, sagacity, foresight and handsome looks. Sudarshanah: He whose meeting is auspicious. ~ Thus, Sudarshan Chakra is a reference to Krishn's Kundalini power... that awakens the Sahasrara Chakra, the 7th chakra - the crown chakra/the highest chakra. ~ Krishna's symbolic 'golden disc' is indicative of third eye chakra - the Ajna Chakra or 6th Chakra.) [Note: The correct spelling of chakra is cakra, though pronounced with a ch. ~ The word is also a metaphor for the sun, and denotes the eternal cycle of time (kaalah) called the kalacakra, or wheel of time. Chakra = wheel. ~ The name is derived from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning". Both Krishn and Gautama Buddh spoke about karm-yog/karma and dharma/dhamma. ... The word Dharmachakra, or the "Wheel of Dharma", is often used to describe the teachings/message of Shri Gautam Buddh (the 9^th Vishnu). In other words: his teachings/message is expressed as: "the turning of the wheel of dharma." ~ This wheel/chakra is now our national emblem (Ashok Chakra).] (Do read link - for more details on Cakravartin.) ~ A Cakravartin-raja (a 'wheel-turning ruler') is considered a wise, progressive, inclusive and ideal king, since he upholds Raj-dharma. Shri Ram was a Cakravartin-raja, while Shri Krishn too was a Cakravartin by dint of his actions/karm. (Thus, both upheld Raj-dharma). ~ The Buddh-avatar arrived when Kaliyug was still in full bloom (though some amount of withering may have commenced); he shared his teachings/message with the ordinary people - as a guide, teacher, mentor and reformer; thus, he too (in a manner of speaking) upheld Raj-dharma. ~ While the Kalki-avatar is expected to arrive when the ghor Kaliyug phase (i.e. the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay etc) is at its peak: at yuga-sandhyāyām (~ at the conjunction of two yugs - Kaliyug of the current cycle and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle/Maha-Yug.] 

... The transition from Kaliyug to Sat/Satya/Krita Yug will not merely be an intra-yug transition (i.e. from one yug/era to another yug/era within a Chatur-yug/Maha-Yug.) ~ Instead: it will herald the 'closure' of an entire "Maha-Yug"; in other words: it will signify the 'closure' of a complete Chatur-yug/Maha-Yug or four-yug cycle... and the commencement/transition into a whole new one. [Note: a Chatur-Yug or Maha-Yug refers to a four-yug cycle: Sat/Satya/Krita, Treta, Dvapar and Kaliyug. ~ Thus the 'closure' of kaliyug will mean a transition from one "Maha-Yug" to an entirely new one; ~ from the lowest point/ghor Kaliyug phase/the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay to the 'Golden Age' of Sat/Satya/Krita Yug - the best of eras/yugs.] ~ In other words: a complete renaissance; from the lowest point (the ghor Kaliyug phase, also known as the most degraded/degenerate of all ages/eras/yugs) to the best of eras/ages/yugs (Sat/Satya/Krita Yug). | ~ This reshaping/transformation of humanity/human society indicates a whole new era, a new age, a renewal, a new "dawn"; humanity/human society/civilization will have to find its rhythm - gradually, incrementally... slow but steady - through patience and collective effort. This will enable/allow it to "heal"... so as to rejuvenate/reinvigorate itself sufficiently enough to find its mojo (~ which in turn will [gradually] lead to all-round progress and prosperity - a better human society/civilization). | ~ However, instant transformation is impractical; it is akin to putting a lump of fine gold (signifying 'Golden Age' - Sat/Satya/Krita Yug) into a glass of water. The gold will remain gold; the water will remain water. ~ This is because... the ghor Kaliyug phase (euphemistically known as the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay) is characterized by considerable pessimism, despondency, loss of hope, confusion, delusion, apathy, 'toxin'/halahala, decay, and so on; thus, perception/cognitive abilities get dulled, intellectual capacity dims, stagnation/apathy/ennui/indifference et al holds sway. [~ Sat or Satya means: Eternal, Ultimate Truth: Satya-Sundar/ Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram. ~ A reference to Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Harih.] ~ Only a maha-avatar can lift humanity (human society/civilization) from zero level or rather sub-zero level; i.e. from the lowest point - from considerable ignorance/stagnation/decay etc (signifying the metaphoric 'quicksand'/'mud'/quagmire)... and put it back on an upward trajectory; only a maha-avatar has the capacity/caliber/ability to be that catalyst: to prevent a collapse of basic structure of mankind, to prevent humanity (and/or the planet's) slide into 'quicksand'/quagmire (or to pull it out from one) - to re-energize... to set the ball rolling, so to speak. [~ And, this should help us understand what the Varaha-avatar (the unicorn boar) indicates; this avatar is regarded as the supreme form of Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari. ... Incidentally, the current kalpa is known as "Svhetavaraha Kalpa". (Svheta = white. Varaha = the great boar.)] 

... Maybe this should help us understand what has been meant by: Lord Dhanvantari (Sudarshana Vasudev Dhanvantari) "emerged" during "samudra-manthan" holding the pot of celestial nectar (of immortality). [Now celestial nectar (of immortality) is not literal.] ~ The Supreme Druid (primordial God of healthcare) is well-wisher and benefactor of humanity. He is the "healer" of Jiva-souls (the individual/human souls/finites); he arrives to administer aoushata (medicine, cure, remedy) so that human society can (gradually) regain its health and vigour (as per: yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham ~ whenever and wherever societal 'churn'/manthan/turmoil becomes too difficult... so much so that humanity is 'paralyzed'/bewildered, unable to find a solution/direction, or is in free-fall... hurtling towards an abyss/'quicksand'/quagmire... only then, He manifests Himself - to stem the 'churn'/manthan, to stabilize (and to re-energize). ... Umm, does it have something to do with the story of Lord Shiva holding the River Ganga in his jata [dredlocks] to minimize the impact (devastation) of her fall - to become Byomkesh? Is this story allegorical? ~ My guess is as good as yours. ~ Lord Shiva (Hara/Sankara) is also known as Vaidyanatha (Lord of Remedies). ... And, maybe, all this can (also) help us understand what has been meant by: "Neelkanth" ('the blue-throated one') - who soaks up 'halahala' or 'kaalkoot' (resulting out of immense societal 'manthan'/churn/'dark clouds that engulf the hearts and minds') - for the benefit of human society/mankind ~ to enable it to "heal" and evolve/transform - so that it can function better, progress and prosper. [~ 'Halahala' or 'Kaalkoot' is the most vicious (metaphoric) "toxin" - that would otherwise destroy humanity/human society/civilization... if allowed to accumulate. ~ Only a maha-avatar has the capacity to be that selfless ~ to become "Neelkanth" - the allegorical blue-throated one.) ~ Thus, Hari-Hara (these are two aspects/ do refer to the next paragraph - for more details.) | Thus, rudranam sankaras casmi (~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Lord Shiva]). | ... Thus, keshavah: one who is himself the three: kah Brahma, ah Vishnu and Isa Shiva; in other words: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram. | ~ Narayan means: well-wisher and benefactor of mankind (nara). Harih/Hari means: fire/energy (auspicious effulgence, Light Divine - it renews/re-energizes/rejuvenates/revitalizes.) Hari also means: Lord of Nature/Earth. ... And, since Lord Narayan/Vishnu is (also) protector and preserver (a guiding, stabilizing entity) Hari or Hare also means: Dispeller [Haran] of Troubles/Calamity/Sankat, a Pathfinder. Hara also means: Dispeller [Haran] of Troubles/Calamity/Sankat. ~ While Bhoota/Bhuta Nath means: Lord/Guardian/Protector of Mankind.

Note: ~ Keshavah - one who is himself the three: kah Brahma (Universal Consciousness, Omswaroop; creator/usherer of a new "dawn"/era/yug; re-energizer/Renaissance Man/Yug Purush), ah Vishnu (protector and preserver/stabilizing factor) and Isa Shiva (destroyer/dispeller of calamity/sankat/troubles; the allegorical "Neelkanth"). Therefore, Keshavah is: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram (do refer the relevant passage on Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram). | ~ BG 10.23: || rudranam sankaras casmi || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Lord Shiva]. ~ Therefore, Rudra-Siva. [They are not different entities.] ~ And so, Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara may not have been three different entities. ~ Hari-Krishna himself is Shiva/Hara/Rudra/Sankara simultaneously. ~ Shivah is used for both Hari and Hara. Shivah means: the kindly auspicious one; one who is eternally pure; a kind herdsman (shepherd) of jiva-souls (jiva or humans/ living beings = bhutanam) ~ Shivah does not mean destroyer-destroyer; this aspect (i.e. the Shiva/Sankara/Rudra/Hara aspect) of Hari-Krishn indicates: destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat - of humanity/human society, as well as dispeller/destroyer of ego/vanity/vainglory, ignorance, illusion, delusion, confusion, 'toxin' (~ thus he is known as Neelkanth - the allegorical 'blue-throated one'; he soaks up negativism - for the good of humanity/society - to enable it to function (progress and prosper), and so on. [PS: Since Hari-Krishn himself is Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara, therefore, Virupaksha (oblique eyes) is used for both the aspects: the Hari (aspect) as well as the Hara (aspect). Both are auspicious. ~ Rudraksha means: eye of Rudra (Rudra-Siva/Hara/Sankara). ... So, whether Virupaksha and Rudraksha have different meanings or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. Hari/Hara/Hare also means: destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat - of humanity/human society; in other words: one who protects and preserves (stabilizes).] 

BG 4.7: || yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham || ~ Whenever and wherever there is an alarming decline or discrepancy in dharma/dharmic principles (for the greater good, and/or for humanity/human society/civilization to progress and prosper/flourish); or when such an alarming decline is perceived or becomes a bane; O Bharata* (addressing Arjun, who belonged to the Puru-vansh/Bharat-vansh/lineage/clan), only then, I, manifest Myself. [~ 'Avatar' means: descent, and refers to a descent of the divine into earthly form. Avatar comes from the Sanskrit avatirna: "manifest/descent from the Lord." ~ However, not every avatar is the Almighty Himself (albeit in human form); most are partial avatars or empowered entities; Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari's Purna Avatar (one in whom divinity is manifested fully) is Shri Hari-Krishna. ~ Lord Krishna is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being in his totality of manifestation. He is not an Avatar of the Cosmic Person/Being, but is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being Himself (albeit, in human form). || krishnas tu bhagavan svayam || He is the Cosmic Teacher and Cosmic Ruler; he is God manifest in human form (svayam Bhagavan, the 8^th Vishnu; the human manifestation [sagun swaroop] of Lord Vishnu/Narayan - His Purna Avatar.) ~ And, as per His stated 'dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge' (to renew/re-energize/reinvigorate/revitalize/rejuvenate the principles of "dharma" and "karm-yog" - for the benefit of mankind/humanity ~ so as to help create/build a better [progressive, prosperous, inclusive] human society/civilization, I manifest Myself yuge-yuge, yug/age/era after yug/age/era)... Keshavah will return (assuming the form of the Kalkiḥ-avatar/kesava dhrta-kalki-sarira) to 'close' Kaliyug (including the ghor Kaliyug phase or the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay), to provide guidance ~ to bring about the inter-mahayug transition (from one Maha-Yug to another Maha-Yug; from the lowest point/ghor Kaliyug phase [the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay] to the best of eras/ages/yugs - the Sat/Satya/Krita Yug - the 'Golden Age' of prosperity, progress, etc.) ~ The 10th Vishnu will be indescribable (kim api). | [Note: ~ Since Dvapar to Kaliyug was an intra-yug transition, Kaliyug began from midnight of 18 February in 3102 BC (or perhaps from the conjunction of 17/18 February 3102 BC i.e. midnight onwards) in the proleptic Julian calendar... since Krishn departed (very likely in the evening/shyam) on this date. (~ He is kaalah/time himself; therefore, when the hunter's arrow hit him on his foot, he only smiled before departing... while Jara grieved over the empty shell.) The period after his departure (midnight onwards) marked the beginning of Kaliyug. | ~ However, since the transition from Kaliyug to Sat/Satya/Krita Yug (of the next cycle) is an inter-mahayug movement/transition, it signifies the 'closure' of an entire/complete Maha-Yug and the commencement of a whole new one; so... whether this transition will be immediate or not (i.e. immediately after the departure of the 10th Vishnu or not) ~ my guess is as good as yours.]

[*Bharatavarsha means: the continent (Sanskrit: 'varsha') that is dedicated ('rata') to light, wisdom ('bha'). ~ Bharatavarsha or Bharatadesam also means, "cherished land". For the etymology of the word "Hindu" and the name "India", do read: link. ~ However, it is unlikely that the contours of modern India constituted ancient Bharatvarsha. ~ Yet another name for ancient India is  Jambudveepa or Jambadveepa. Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry. Maybe there was an abundance of this tree (obviously a much different version of what we have now)... and hence the name. Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu/Jambul/Indian blackberry trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an Indian blackberry. ~ Now whether the contours of modern India constituted ancient Jambudveepa or not - my guess is as good as yours.]

Kalki/ Kalkiḥ is also referred to as: Kalkin and Kalaki - often a metaphor for "Eternity" or "Time". (Time is Kaalah in Sanskrit.) ~ When the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay etc (i.e. the negative/ghor Kaliyug phase) will be at its peak ~ will arrive Kalkiḥ, the Lord of Creation/Sovereign of the Universe/Father of the World (nāmnā kalkir jagat-patiḥ) ... And from what we can gather, Keshavah will return as the Kalki-avatar (the 10^th Vishnu, the final maha-avatar of the Dasavatara) at yuga-sandhyāyām (i.e. at the conjunction of two yugs: Kaliyug of the current cycle/Maha-Yug and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle/Maha-Yug; sandhyāyām = evening, dusk, twilight). ~ He will appear (prādúr) in the home (bhavanê) of Vishnuyashah/Vishnuyashas/Vishnuyash Sharma - an erudite person (Brahmanasya) and the head of Shambhala village (shambhala-grama-mukhyasya). [Now, Vishnuyashah (also, Vishnuyashas/Vishnuyash Sharma) can be a name per se, or it can also be an allegorical name - to indicate: devotee of Lord Vishnu/Narayan, etc.] The Kalkiḥ-avatar will be born to Vishnuyasha/Vishnuyash Sharma (~ Yajña, better known as Svayambhuva Manu [the first "Manu"] - who (earlier) also appeared as Raja Dasarath (Lord Ram's father - in Treta) and as Vasudev (Lord Krshn's father - in Dvapar). [Note: Shambhala = Shambhu (Shiv) + Le (of). ~ So, whether Shambhala (a Sanskrit word that to the Tibetans means "the source of happiness") was also known as Shivalaya; whether Shambhala is the land of Shambhu Nath - the Ruler (Nath) as well as Guardian/Protector of Shambhala or not; and if so, whether this Shambhu Nath is the Sankara of rudranam sankaras casmi (~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara") or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. (~ Shambhala is also considered to be the gateway between the physical and spiritual world ~ Haridvar? Some believe it to be the actual Manas Sarovar,  Kalilash as well as Rishikesh or 'Agni Tirtha'. It is also believed to be the real Prayag - Triveni Sangam: the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati.) | ... The Kalkiḥ-avatar's 'vehicle' is the winged horse/flying horse (Devadutta); this avatar appears like a comet (dhumaketum iva), holding a (metaphoric) brilliant/effulgent sword (known as "Ratna Maru"). ~ It is the (symbolic) "sword" of destiny, a ray of hope: signifying knowledge, discernment and wisdom - to guide; to shine a light/hold a mirror to society; to "close" the ghor Kaliyug phase, to lift the (metaphoric) "fog"/"filth" of ignorance, pessimism, confusion, delusion, 'toxin', degeneration, decay, apathy/indifference/ennui, stagnation, and so on (~ that clouds the hearts and minds... when the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay - the ghor Kaliyug phase - is at its peak). ~ As per:  || Asato mā sad gamaya Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya || 

~ Asato mā sad gamaya: From ignorance/untruth, lead me unto truth (dharma/actions that result in the greater/collective good. ~ Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari is Satya-Sundara/ Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram.) | Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya: From stagnation (the symbolic 'fog'/'filth' of decay, delusion, ignorance, confusion, pessimism, despondency and so on), lead me unto light (towards knowledge, hope, wisdom, enlightenment, prosperity, etc) - so as to build/create [and sustain] a better/progressive/prosperous/inclusive society/ civilization.] ~ He will also guide, as well as shine a light/hold a mirror to society - to 'awaken'; for humanity to perform their collective karm-yog. | ~ BG 4:42: || tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaḿ hṛt-sthaḿ jñānāsinātmanaḥ chittvainaḿ saḿśayaḿ yogam ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata || ~ "Therefore, sever the ignorant doubt (ego, ignorance, confusion, apathy, etc) in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline (duty, responsibility; imbibe the spirit of dharma + karm-yog). Arise." (i.e. shun ennui, tardiness or slothfulness, despondency, pessimism, and so on. Embrace [cumulative and sustained] karm-yog - for the betterment of society.) | ~ Krishn is (also) advising us to awaken Kundalini. [Do also refer to the paragraphs on Kundalini.] | ~ Thus, "Ratna Maru" is the (symbolic) sword of destiny, a ray of hope: signifying knowledge, discernment and wisdom - to guide, as well as to shine a light/hold a mirror to society; to 'awaken'; to lift the symbolic "fog"/"filth" of ignorance, pessimism, confusion, delusion, 'toxin', degeneration, decay, apathy/indifference/ennui, stagnation, and so on (~ that clouds the hearts and minds... when the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay - i.e. the ghor Kaliyug phase is at its peak). ~ It is also the (symbolic) sword of self-knowledge (self-realization). [Refer to what Krishn says earlier/BG 4.42. Also refer link - for self-realization.] ~ Hence Kalkiḥ also means: Annihilator of ignorance, or Dispeller of confusion (the allegoric "fog"/"filth" - clouding the hearts and minds in the ghor Kaliyug phase ~ when the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay is at its peak.)

Note: In the ghor Kaliyug phase (i.e. in the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay)... since there is considerable tamasic-ness (pessimism, confusion, delusion, 'toxin', etc) ~ perception/cognitive abilities get dulled, comprehension and intellectual capacity dims, apathy/ennui/indifference, etc holds sway. This leads to ignorance, confusion, stagnation and decay. ~ Thus the end of Kaliyug (i.e. the ghor Kaliyug phase) is also known as the (symbolic) 'Iron Age' (of ignorance/stagnation/decay) - the 'Age of Machines'. [~ 'Machine' 'coz comprehension, perception/cognitive abilities [of human society] get dulled, intellectual capacity dims.] ~ It does not imply that this avatar (the Kalkiḥ-avatar/Kalkiḥ Maitreya) is a robot made of metal, but that his appearance is in the lowest phase of Kaliyug - the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug (~ the ghor Kaliyug phase, or the [symbolic] Age of 'Machines') - an age when intellectual capacity and sentience/perception/perspective/cognitive abilities (of human society) diminishes/get dulled (falls below the minimum level). ~ Instead of being active participants in their own destiny, humanity cannot become idlers and mere spectators/bystanders [symbolic 'machines']. That will lead to a gradual all-round degeneration/stagnation/decay. This is the core of Krishn's message. | ~ BG 2.47: || karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi || ~ Do your duty (i.e. imbibe the spirit of dharma/right action for the greater/collective good + collective/cumulative/concerted karm-yog) to the best of your ability. Overcome your limitations. Concentrate on your convergences. Do not highlight your divergences/differences. Shun lethargy. Overcome inertia. Be positive. Never lose hope.

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The ancient Indus people couldn't have copied their town-planning from Egypt and Mesopotamia because in those civilizations the roads meandered like village streets. Nor was the writing similar to Sumer's (Sumerian Civilization - ancient Iraq, etc) cuneiform or the Egyptian (ancient Miṣr) hieroglyphics. The Harappans (the ancient Indus people) had their own distinctive style. [~ The efficient and finest of plumbing/sewage/drainage systems, a network of underground drainage was a scientific system of drainage that shows a remarkably forward thinking concern for hygiene and sanitation. The cities were so well designed that (modern) Indians have not been able to replicate the town-planning feats/achievement of the ancient Indus engineers... even five millenniums later.] ~ The greatness of the Indus Valley Civilization (the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata) can be attributed to ancient Indian genius (~ and trade was the driving force/factor.) | Excavations (though a lot remains to be excavated) have uncovered a civilization so vast in its extent that at its peak it is estimated to have encompassed a staggering 1.5 million sq km - an area larger than Western Europe. In size, it dwarfed contemporary civilizations in the Nile Valley in Egypt and in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys in Sumer (Sumerian Civilization - modern Iraq). Its geographical boundaries are now believed to extend up to the Iranian border on the west, (one site in Afghanistan), Turkmenistan and Kashmir in the north, Delhi in the east and the Godavari Valley in the south. Even extending to Rupnagar, in India, at the foot of the Shimla Hills 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to the northeast. ~ Discovery of a large cache of gold and other ornaments reportedly belonging to the Harappan period (2600-1900 BC) by the villagers of Mandi in the Muzaffarnagar District of UP (in the year 2000) has also challenged previous notions about the geographic reach of the Indus Valley civilization. ~ Two things are clear: that Indus Valley was a misnomer, and that in size it was the largest prehistoric (pracheen) urban civilization - even bigger than Pharaonic Egypt. That it was governed much like a democracy (collectivism) and the ancient Indus people were the world's top exporters. ~ What is now known as the Indus Valley Civilization included the whole of modern India. | Probably the most common design on the Indus seals is the swastika. This symbol wards off negativities. It represents the cosmic spinning vortex. The right-handed swastika symbol originated in ancient India and is the symbol of the mighty River SarasvatI as well as the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata/Civilization (possibly the oldest civilization in the world, and thus the cradle of civilization.) ~ In Sanaatan Dharma, the swastika represents the Universe in our own spiral galaxy in the forefinger of the Cosmic Entity (Ishvara-Ishvari/Narayan-Narayani). This carries most significance in establishing the creation of the Universe and the arms as 'kaalah' or time. [~ Also, the chakra/disc on Lord Narayan's forefinger probably indicates the galaxies; maybe all galaxies (including the Milky Way/Aakash Ganga) were disc-shaped in the beginning... and gradually opened up to assume a spiral form.]

More on the Swastika: (also refer the previous paragraph) | The term Swastika has been derived from the Sanskrit word "Svastika", which means well-being: "SU" means "good" or "auspicious," "ASTI" means "to be," and "KA" as a suffix. The swastika literally means, "to be good". Alternatively: "swa" is "higher self" (Supersoul), "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation can be interpreted as: "being with higher self". Suasti thus means "well-being." The suffix -ka either forms a diminutive or intensifies the verbal meaning, and suastika might thus be translated literally as "that which is associated with well-being," corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that is auspicious." Thus swastika means any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote auspiciousness, good luck or well-being. | The most traditional form of the swastika's symbolization in Sanaatan Dharma is that the symbol represents the purusharthas (representative of the Cosmic Energy - the Purusha): dharma (that which makes a human a human), artha (wealth), desire, and moksha (liberation). All four are needed for a full life. However, two (wealth and desire) are limited and can only give limited joy. They are the two closed arms of the swastika. The other two are unlimited and are the open arms of the swastika. | Swastika is considered to be a mark of auspiciousness and good fortune. Red Swastika (made with red vermilion, prepared with natural ingredients during rituals) is the sign of Sanaatan Dharma; it depicts a cross with four arms of equal lengths. The end of each of the arms is bent at a right angle. At times, dots are also added between the arms. The right-facing swastika (Sanskrit: Svastika) in the decorative form is used to evoke sacred force. [~ Shri Ganesh has the Swastika on his palm. The swastika is at times considered a symbolic representation of Shri Ganesh (Vignesh or Vighna-Vinashak - the remover of obstacles) and is hence offered first offerings in every puja. The swastika is made with red vermilion (prepared with natural ingredients) during rituals.] | The Swastika is a symbol of good fortune in Buddhism. It represents the footprints and heart of Shri Gautam Buddh. Thus, it is considered to be very holy and extensively brought to use by Buddhists. In the images of Shri Gautam Buddh, the Swastik is imprinted on his chest, palms and feet. In Jainism, Swastika represents the Seventh Jina, more popularly known as the Tirthankara Suparsva. It is one of the most prominent auspicious symbols of the present era. In the cultural traditions of Svetambar Jains, Swastika is one of the main symbols of the ashta-mangalas. | Ganesh - represents a set of qualities; is very likely a reference to the most intelligent, perceptive and wise person. Shri Ganesh represents: great retention power or vast intelligence (as symbolized by the elephant head and elephant's memory). The elephant-head: represents calm disposition, intelligence, perceptiveness, knowledge and wisdom. The small eyes = concentration. The small mouth and the bent trunk (Vakra-Tunndda) = less noise, more efficiency (opposite of 'empty vessels makes the most noise'). The bent trunk indicates: one who is not given to boasting or talking unnecessarily; in other words: one who is not ignorant. The big elephant ears = great listening ability ('listening', and not merely 'hearing').] 

On a separate note: "Hindu" is not the name of any "religion" or a set of religious beliefs whatsoever... it was simply a label for a specific landmass; at best the word simply implied someone associated with (or dwelling in) the geographical area the boundaries of which were roughly covered by the SarasvatI-Sindhu Rivers and their tributaries. [Sindhu is Sanskrit for the River Indus.] ~ "Hindu" is simply the variant of Sindhu (the mighty River Indus, perhaps the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile - Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel). | The Indus (River Sindhu) issues from a lion's mouth. Hence that river is called Sinh ka bab. the lion's gate or mouth. ~ The once-mighty River Indus, it is said, originates from the mouth of a lion (Senge Khabab or "Lion's Mouth") - a perennial spring - in Tibet. (Possibly a mountain snout shaped like a lion's mouth.) Thus, it is also called Sengge Tsangpo or Lion River. This river is a common lifeline, and symbolically binds the people of more than the one nation. Few rivers in the world flow through as stunning a landscape as the Sindhu (River Indus). It flows through plains, villages, hamlets and towns, as well as by valleys, gorges and peaks of countless hues. | The word "Hindu" came about courtesy the ancient Persians (another class of Aryans), who - due to a lack of appropriate phonetics (in their language) - called the people living east of them as "Hindu". ~ In Old Persian... the 'S' for Sindhu becomes 'H' (due to a lack of phonetics). Therefore: the Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ or Sapta Sindhu became Hapta HAndu. ~ Thus, 'Hindu' is derived from the Persian 'HAndu', which in turn is derived from 'Sindhu'. ~ The people living around the River Indus, and on the east of the River Indus (Sindhu) followed a pattern of life that was distinct. Thus, "Hindu Dharma" is another name for "Arya Dharma". [Arya = noble or noble-natured; based on noble values, principles, and so on. Dharma = path or 'way of life'; Arya Dharma = a pattern of life based on noble tenets/values/principles... that resulted and/or contributed towards the greater good and therefore, a better society. Not that there were any dos and don'ts, Aryan-ness was their 'way of life'.] | Did "Persia" evolve from "Parshva" (meaning: 'next door', 'neighbouring' or 'nearby')? Did the ancient Indus people (Hindu people) call the people of the first/neighbouring port by the Sanskrit word "Parshva"? Did the ancient Persians in turn (also) refer to the ancient Indus people and/or those living to the east of them as "Prachya" (meaning: 'Eastern' or Eastern Country) - the Greek Praesii? ~ We can only speculate. 

Bharatavarsha means: the continent (Sanskrit: 'varsha') that is dedicated ('rata') to light, wisdom ('bha'). ~ Bharatavarsha or Bharatadesam also means, "cherished land". ~ However, it is unlikely that the contours of modern India constituted ancient Bharatvarsha. | Yet another name for ancient India is  Jambudveepa or Jambadveepa. Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry. Maybe there was an abundance of this tree (very likely a much different version of what we have now)... and hence the name. ... Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu/Jambul/Indian blackberry trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an Indian blackberry. ~ Now whether the contours of modern India constituted ancient Jambudveepa or not - my guess is as good as yours.

Genesis of the name "India": In ancient times, the entire Indus river system (along with its seven tributaries - Sutudri or Satadru or SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), AsiknI/Chandrabhaga (Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum) and the now lost River SarasvatI) and the area it covered, was called "Sapta Sindhu" (the Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ) i.e. the land of seven rivers ("Sindhu" means river, stream or ocean in Sanskrit). The word "Sindhu" not only referred to the river system and adjoining area but also became the label to denote the culture that had developed along its valleys. [The "Indus Valley Civilization" should more accurately be called the Sarasvati-Sindhu Civilization considering the landmass where it developed).] ~ Thus, courtesy the ancient Persians... to the world beyond, the area around the Sarasvati-Sindhu rivers and its culture came to be known as the area of "Hindus" (thus the name "Hindustan" which literally means the land of "Hindus". (Stan = land or place in Persian. Similar to Sthan in Sanskrit. ~ The similarity between "Stan" and "Sthan" is again due to the ancient Avestan Persian-Sanskrit connection which go back a long way.) ~ This nomenclature stuck and became particularly prevalent after the arrival of the Mughals. The Mughals (based on the earlier Persian terminology) used the term "Hindu" to refer to the original inhabitants of the land and this label became the way to distinguish the indigenous/ancient culture from theirs. ~ When the Greeks first reached the river plains of the Punjab, they borrowed the name of the region (Hindu) from the Persians and simply modified it to "Indós". "Indós" later morphed into "Indus" in Latin - by which name the river is still known in the West. [The ancient Greeks referred to the ancient Indians as Indói, the people of the Indus.] The Romans began to call the whole landmass after this river and thus the name "India" came to stay ~ which has been the form used by Europeans over the ages. ~ Thus the word "India" too is derived from the River Indus.

Incidentally, the SarasvatI is (also) called "she with seven sisters" (saptasvasā), indicating a group of eight rivers. ~ The 'Sapta Sindhu' ("seven rivers" - Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ; "Sindhu" means river, stream or ocean in Sanskrit) refers to the rivers SarasvatI, SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), AsiknI (Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum) and Sindhu (Indus); probably the (missing river is) KubhA. Among these, the rivers SarasvatI and the Sindhu were considered the most sacred. [Though the Vedic SarasvatI is now lost, yet many believe that it still flows below the ground.] And, of all the Vedic rivers, the Sindhu is both masculine and feminine. [A masculine river is called "Nad", a feminine one "Nadi".] | Apart from its striking cultural continuity with subsequent diversification, transformation, assimilation and evolution of Indian civilization, which makes up a total tapestry of (at least) 10,000 years (~ since much of the excavation is yet to happen), the ancient Indus people exhibited the following traits: an enterprising spirit, a knowledge-based and forward-looking culture, a remarkable adaptability to changing conditions, a spiritual content, and, most importantly, a capacity for a broader view, without which such a vast area could not have had such a cultural affinity (and all-round progress and flourishing trade) free from major hiccups. | However, post the decline of the Gupta era - in the absence of a Chakravartin (do read the relevant passages on Cakravartin and 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration') - the years were marked by a lack of intellectual stimulation, gradual all-round stagnation... and (eventual) decay. India lost her preeminence in all aspects and areas. Ancient India was no longer the seat of innovation and learning. ~ Also, the feeling of oneness and internal unity (yog/sanyog/confluence) despite the myriad diversity (gradually and steadily) unraveled... all kinds of fissures, schisms and fault-lines appeared/developed/came about; Arya Dharma and the social fabric woven around it too came apart. ... In the absence of a nucleus (a shared roadmap/framework/architecture/vision) and a guiding and binding force/factor (a Cakravartin) - the post Gupta era India (gradually and steadily) went adrift. | Vigjnana - in the (ancient) Indian thought/system - was never boring or cut-and-dried narrative. For our ancients, science did not signify a mechanistic analysis of facts, but rather a broader interpretation, a wider perception of the universe. ~ The combination of our ancient enlightened wisdom, guidance, philosophy, art, literature et al alongside science, math, research and innovation... is what brought seekers of knowledge (both students and learned persons alike) from distant lands. They went away enriched... carrying with them a piece of ancient India. Thus, Indian thought and knowledge illumined the minds of denizens of far-off lands. ~ It was the route to/of ancient India's preeminence. It helped establish 'yoga' or 'sanjog' (connect/confluence) - cutting across distance and diversities. As a result, trade too flourished. While labour-intensive activities... that not only generated employment and revenue, but also nurtured creativity (concentration and application of mind), was aplenty. Besides, our ancient Brahmanas (learned persons) were very welcoming of synergy-creation. Hence they (also) studied the works of the ancient Greeks and the Romans... and then wrote and shared their own comments, treatises and views on them. And so, there was no stagnation or intellectual regimentation (leading to a gradual intellectual degeneration and decay ~ a veritable 'quicksand'... emerging from which is a mammoth task.) | ~ The decline of Takshashila marked the decline in Indian education, thought and structure. Fewer and fewer knowledge-seekers, students and travelers made the trip to India. ... Earlier, the world looked to India for answers, the post-Gupta era India floundered.

~ The SarasvatI River is an important river goddess in the Rig Ved ~ whose banks served as fertile soil for the growth of ancient Vedic culture. ... Devi Sarasvati is wisdom personified. ~ In the Rig Ved, SarasvatI is a river as well as its personification as a goddess. [Veda (meaning wisdom, knowledge) comes from the root "vid" - to know. Veda has in turn given rise to "Vidya", which also means: knowledge.] | The Balinese Goddess Vac is associated with purification (cleansing, tidiness), protection, offerings and communication; She is believed to be a dispeller of negativities/negativism. Artistic renderings depict Goddess Vac as an elegant, graceful golden-skinned woman dressed in gold (an allusion to solar energy). *In Her secondary capacity (aspect) as a mother Goddess, She is depicted as a cow. | Vāk or Vāc is the Sanskrit word for "speech", "voice", "talk", or "language", from a verbal root vac - "speak, tell, utter". Personified, Vāk is a Goddess; She is also frequently identified with Bharati or Sarasvati, the Goddess of speech. ~ Devi Sarasvati is also known as Vakdevi (Goddess of speech) or Vani. She is described in the Rig Ved as not only speech (vāk) itself, but also as truth (satya/eternal or timeless essence/knowledge - para vidya) and perception, which allows humans to turn divine knowledge into words. Goddess Sarasvati is worshipped by the Balinese people in Indonesia. She is a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography as well. In Japan, Sarasvati is known by different names. She is associated with different faculties like music, prosperity, grace/elegance, happiness, eloquence, and wisdom and as one who confer strength on warriors (~ this form of Sarasvati is worshipped by generals before going into battle). Sarasvati and Her forms are popular divinities in Japan. In one of Her form, She is an inspirer to poets and artistes; in another, for talent and willpower; in yet another, she is associated with Speech - and depicted with a flute in her hands (reminiscent of Sri Krishn?) The Martial form (reminiscent of Goddess Parvati?) is worshipped by generals before going to war.  ~ Therefore, can it be inferred that the so-called Indus Valley Civilization stretched up to Bali - in the Far East? ~ My guess is as good as yours.  |  Indus Valley Civilization is a misnomer; it should be called "Aryavarsha" instead (~ abode of the Aryans/Arya people; the Land of the Noble Ones; Arya = noble, noble natured, or people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values. Varsha = the continent (Sanskrit). ~ Across this wide swathe of land (much of which may have also been part of the Rama Empire), there was no cultural homogeneity or monolithicism, whatsoever. There was a diverse mix of population too... and so, people of varied physical appearance/features peopled this civilization. And yet, an underlying cultural affinity existed - a shared 'way of life', history, experience, knowledge, know-how, trade, and so on. ~ Thus, our unity in diversity go back a long way. | The emphasis has been on acceptance and assimilation, not the condescending/superiority-complex-inducing 'tolerance'.] 

[*The Balinese Goddess Vac, in Her secondary capacity (aspect) as a mother Goddess, is depicted as a cow. (Refer the above paragraph.) | Devi Sarasvati is Varadey Kaamarupinee (the fulfiller of wishes) and is associated with literature, arts, crafts, music, etc. ~ BG 10.28: || dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk || ~ "among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as kamadhenu ~ possibly a metaphor for prosperity, etc.) | So, can it be inferred that Devi Sarasvati and Lord Krishn are one and the same? | And if so, then this Devi Sarasvati - the river goddess (river as well as its personification as a goddess) - is also Devi Parvati in another form? ~ And therefore, the other Devi Sarasvati is a namesake? ~ My guess is as good as yours. [A stotra from the Devi Mahatmyam: Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Buddhi-Ruupenna Samsthitaa | Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||8|| ~ 8.1: To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Intelligence, 8.2: Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again. | Also, who is Lord Shiva? The same as Krishn/Sarasvati/Parvati? | Can it be that there were many Shiva(s), and this caused various narratives to confluence and merge? | ~ BG 10.23: || rudranam sankaras casmi || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Lord Shiva]. ~ Therefore, can it be that the Shiva who is revered and worshipped (as Sankara, Byomkesh, Rudra-Siva, Neelkanth - the allegoric 'blue-throated one' - who soaks in negativism for the good/betterment of humanity ~ to allow it to function, progress and prosper, etc) is the same entity as Krishn/Sarasvati/Parvati? Just another form? Different time? ~ And that, Parvati's consort is simply a namesake Shiva? ~ My guess is as good as yours. (Shiva means the kindly, auspicious one; one who is eternally pure/self-realized, i.e. one who has gained the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy [Sat-cit-ānanda] of self-realization.) Do also refer the passages on kundalini. ~ The depiction of Shiva is probably allegorical; e.g. the tiger-skin perhaps indicates his courageous nature/valiance. Also, the Ganga cannot flow from his dredlocks (jata) - at least not literally; maybe it is a reference to Akash Ganga - the Milky Way? ~ The milky way galaxy itself was seen as the path of aryaman (the noble one) or the ganges (the name etymologically related to going) of the sky (akash-ganga). | Byomkesh: it is derived from byom/vyom (sky or air) and kesh (hair). ~ Lord Shiva received into his dredlocks (jata) the Ganga - to minimize the immense impact (devastation) of her fall. It is the (metaphoric/allegoric) tide/torrent of the Ganga that Lord Shiva is supposed to have held in his jata (dredlocks) and (thus) become Byomkesh. (This Ganga is a metaphor; it cannot be a reference to a river per se.) ~ Perhaps it is an allegory to indicate that his actions saved/protected humanity from great misery and/or mitigated (in force or intensity) the long-term damage. Maybe, it brought about a positive change of course and lay the foundation for a new and better society to emerge.] 

~ Also, large parts of the 'Shiv-Sati' story (very likely) describes some cosmic event; 'Shiva wandering about in the cosmos with Sati's lifeless body on his shoulders' - is a description (in the style of story-telling) of some cosmic event. ... Maybe pieces of meteors and/or other celestial debris rained down on earth... and this (gradually) gave rise to our 'Shakti Peeths'. (Though a few of the 'Shakti Peeths' probably is in honour of some or the other great woman. Or [maybe] both. That is: Celestial debris + a great human.) ~ The Shiva (of the 'Shiva-Sati' story) and the Shiva of 'Shiva-Parvati' story may not have been the same person. And both these Shiva(s) and the Shiva of Sankara/Rudra-Siva/Byomkesh too may not have been the same. ~ However, with the passage of time, all the stories/narratives, etc have converged and even fused together (perhaps due to a similarity in names). ~ Perhaps, there could be 'Asta-Matrikas' (the Eight Forms of Parvati) and other female deities; but having multiple Shiva(s) would have been confusing; and so, when Sanaatan Dharma assimilated temples and worship of idols (from the Greeks and perhaps even the Buddhists)... the various Shiva(s) were fused into a single figure. ~ My guess is as good as yours.

On a separate note: It is because of these inspirational female avatars that generations of people ~ have been relatively free from troglodytism, vis-à-vis women. Being accustomed to watching programs, listening to and reading (from an early age) ~ stories and anecdotes of their exploits and keerti (great and awe-inspiring deeds), besides watching/observing female deities being prayed to, worshipped and revered... by a large number of people (irrespective of gender and age) ~ have made it easier (for all manner of people, especially the vast multitude... who are not quite educated or even literate) ~ to, at least, accept women in various leadership and strategic and tactical roles; to see women step out of their homes and go about their business - and not find it unusual. Else, one can only wonder about the level of obscurantism and troglodytism that these would have generated and (in turn) engulfed Sanaatan Dharma (or even what is known as Hinduism). ~ No amount of sermons or even legislation could or would have changed anything. [Also, mere education is no guarantee for a progressive outlook. Cultural conditioning is much deeper than that. ~ Changing well-entrenched perceptions, mindset, conditioning and so on is a truly herculean task.] The female avatars (i.e. the female deities) have played myriad roles: as saviours/rescuers; as protectors, preservers, strategists and warriors; as teachers (through their own behaviour/acharan, or by sharing their thoughts and vision with humanity at large); as bestowers of knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment, wealth, well-being, prosperity and happiness, and even as diplomat (the Mohini-avatar; though her story has largely been misinterpreted. Krishn, a male, is also known as "Mohan". Therefore, "Mohini" is simply the feminine of "Mohan"... and indicates a female. Mohini means: rare, uncommon. The Mohini-avatar (the 'Sudarshan Chakra' is associated with this avatar - and that itself is self-explanatory) ~ acquires the (metaphoric/allegoric) pot of 'ambrosia' from the malevolent entities ~ via diplomacy, and returns it to the positive entities; thereby enabling them to regain their position/pre-eminence. Thus, the machinations of the malevolent/negative entities came to a naught. (The positive entities of course have to perform their collective, sustained and tangible karm-yog - to regain that pre-eminence.) ~ This tale could well be an allegorical tale, applicable to all eras. | ~ BG 4.7: || yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham || ~ The Cosmic Entity manifests (in earthly form) to prevent a collapse of basic structure of mankind; to help and guide mankind/humanity face the challenges posed... whenever negativism become too dominant and/or when there is stagnation and a lack of a sense of direction; or when humanity is unable to find a solution to their myriad issues (i.e. when the odds/problems/challenges overtake and loom above the collective ability of humanity to find an effective solution/remedy). | However, it is unlikely that most of the female avatars would have actually worn a saree; just as it is unlikely that most of the male avatars actually wore a dhoti. This is, therefore, a result of contemporization ~ maybe, so that people, especially the vast multitude, could relate to and thus, establish a connect. Besides, there have been various reform movements, apart from numerous plays, dance-dramas, literature, verses, songs/bhajans, hymns, mantra-s, stuti-s, shloka-s, stotra-s, picture books, painting, art, iconography and so on - dedicated to the many female deities/goddesses. And, all these, have enabled people to watch/see (as well as hear/listen) and read ~ continuously (over generations). Thus, many positive things/aspects vis-à-vis women have percolated. Sanaatan Dharma and/or Hinduism is much the richer for it. Else, given our geographic size, diversity and very complex demographics, one can only wonder as to how hard it would have been and how challenging it would have been to undo epic levels of troglodytism ~ in case it were to engulf Hinduism. That it hasn't, and we have managed to remain relatively progressive, is courtesy the inspirational female avatars (and other deities). | All the avatars have an universal appeal. However, did the female deities/avatars wade through and surmount/tackle greater odds and obstacles (compared to the male deities/avatars), besides various barriers... on account of their gender, etc ~ given the 'societal churn' (the intensity of which depends on the respective era/yug), apart from stereotyping, prejudice, obscurantism and negative/regressive attitudes? Or misogyny, contempt, discrimination; maybe even envy (and all the taunt/vitriol/resentment and scorn arising out of it; perhaps some amount of objectification too?) ~ My guess is as good as yours. | This should not be construed as man's world; it is simply an indication of the progressive deterioration of society (which the avatars and other greats endeavour to correct/set right/change - there's no instant solution or quick-fix, though) ~ due to negative conditioning, mindset, prejudice and so on... all of which impact the subsequent generations, and thus weave their way into + shape the societal dynamics, which in turn define the civilizational values and culture.]

Sanskriti (culture) is a perennial knowledge stream; it can also be described as the core/nucleus/kernel of a nation. However, culture (sanskriti) is not narrow in its scope; it is not merely about language or cuisine, and the like. ~ Culture is a confluence, the collective 'way of life' - a veritable kaleidoscope. ~ The ideals of a nation/people - their adaptability to changing conditions, as well as their capacity for a broader view - i.e. an equanimous and actively open mind (in other words: their ability to learn and assimilate from other nations and peoples, 'coz a rolling stone gathers no moss) is crucial. ~ A forward-looking culture - that involves a constructive and positive way of living can (thus) provide the foundation for cultural exchange and engagement, exercising their own creativity by integrating intellectual virtues in the process. ~ "We must recognize that it is providential that the West has come to India. And yet some one must show the East to the West, and convince the West that the East has her contribution to make to the history of civilization." - said Tagore (one of the finest ambassadors of Indian/Eastern thought to the rest of the world.) ~ He was a passionate Indian, but his worldview transcends into universalism; his philosophy of humanism is enriched with the tranquil touch of internationalism ~ where one may find a unique blending of the best of the East and that of the West. Tagore was an Indian by birth but a world citizen by his perception. India in Tagore's vision is the pilgrimage (pilgrim centre) of world humanity as she is the great synthesizer and unifier in the midst of manifold differences through centuries. ... Thus, his poetry with its message of harmony, universalism and humanism is ever relevant. And harmony, balance and integrity are what Gurudev has consistently focused on... through his considerable oeuvre. ~ A widely-traveled man... Tagore was a curious and keen observer of socio-political life in the numerous countries he visited. He was a citizen of the world. ~ He believed in an intellectual union of world cultures; his vision was to take on a more holistic attitude towards understanding the dynamic spirit of his time (and beyond). ~ He felt that the West should be capable of "imparting to the East what is best in herself, and of accepting in a right spirit the wisdom that the East has stored for centuries." Tagore, though critical of the excesses and exploitation of colonial rule, did not reject western civilization per se. "... I am not for thrusting off Western civilization and becoming segregated in our independence." ~ He also distrusted "narrow domestic walls" and hollow/cynical/specious arguments ("the dreary desert sand of dead habit") ~ and recognized the importance of what India could learn - from other nations/cultures/peoples – to/for her own benefit and progress. "If Providence wants England to be the channel of that communication, of that deeper association, I am willing to accept it with all humility. I have great faith in human nature, and I think the West will find its true mission." ~ Tagore emphasized on education - intellectual pursuits and intellectual curiosity (as opposed to rote-learning) ~ 'coz knowledge is likely to be wasted if it exists in a wisdom vacuum. ... He believed that besides moral sympathy intellectual sympathy too was very much required for the understanding of nations, cultures and peoples that are different from one's own. And that, an attitude of apathy and contempt founded upon national selfishness and pride is ultimately detrimental/self-defeating; therefore, the responsibility of a great future must be "untrammelled by the grasping miserliness of a past." ~ He believed that all countries of the earth must be fully conscious of the future, and that her vision must not be obscured and her faith in humanity must be strong with the strength of youth. He envisioned a parallelism - the parallelism of welding together into one body various peoples (~ and this is reminiscent of the Universal Form of the Primordial.) ~ Tagore felt it was necessary to find out something common to all peoples/culture, which will prove their real unity (yog/sanyog/confluence), but that looking for a mere political or commercial basis of unity is not sufficient ~ discovering the spiritual unity is the way to go. He also advised that it is important for a nation/people to develop herself from within, instead of merely adopting (relying upon) Western methods; 'coz borrowing other people's history will not be enduring. ["... it does India no good to compete with Western civilization in its own field."] | Cultural homogeneity is chimeric. Ancient India has always been a kaleidoscope; there was never a homogeneous or monolithic culture (sanskriti); even languages (each language, that is) have not been homogeneous. Sanaatan Dharma itself is the best example of unity in diversity. ~ This egalitarianism, this pluralism, this all-encompassingness is once again reminiscent of the Universal Form of the Primordial; this harmony and ability to assimilate diverse thoughts, aspects, viewpoints etc has been our strength. It has been our greatest strength. And this has shaped the 'way of life'. ~ However, collective myopia (and "narrow domestic walls") - post the decline of the Gupta era - led us into the "dreary desert sand of dead habit"; it proved to be our undoing; and so, a once-glorious ancient India lost her preeminence... and rapidly crumbled into smaller and fragmented monarchies, independent kingdoms and feudatory states (that were antagonistic to each other). [~ Colonization did happen, and a whole bunch of our current ills can be blamed on it. However, throughout colonization the majority remained an overwhelming majority, and yet... myriad internal fissures and schism came about and increased manifold. So, does three fingers point right back at us? ~ My guess is as good as yours.] | Also, from our pracheen itihasa what we can gather is this: that the people of ancient civilizations not only possessed the most vaulting imaginations but also extremely advanced technology - that the modern world is as yet unaware of. ~ They had much more knowledge and sophisticated technology at their disposal than most of us moderns (given our linear view of history) - are willing to give them credit for.

~ After the decline of the Gupta era (hailed as one of the 'Golden Age' of [ancient] India - since all-round achievements in knowledge, research, medicine, literature, art, crafts, technical know-how, trade et al reached its zenith) the metaphoric kali (bud/flower of Kaliyug) began to (symbolically) wither (in the absence of a *Cakravartin/'Cakravartin system of governance/administration')... thereby gradually giving way to the ghor Kaliyug phase (euphemistically known as the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay.) ~ This phase is characterized by stagnation/apathy/ennui/indifference; considerable pessimism, despondency, loss of hope, confusion, delusion, and so on hold sway; thus, perception/perspective/comprehension/cognitive abilities too get diminished/dulled, intellectual capacity dims. ~ Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is the time to move out of this metaphoric 'quicksand'/'mud'/quagmire... onto an upward trajectory. In other words: a complete renaissance: from the lowest point (the ghor Kaliyug phase, also known as the most degraded/degenerate of all ages/eras/yugs) to the best of eras/ages/yugs (Sat/Satya/Krita Yug). ... This reshaping/transformation of humanity/human society indicates a whole new era, a new age, a renewal/rejuvenation, a new dawn - wherein humanity/human society/civilization will have to find its rhythm - gradually, incrementally... but steadily - through patience and collective effort. ... This will enable/allow it to "heal"... so as to reinvigorate/revitalize itself sufficiently enough to find its mojo (~ which in turn will [gradually] lead to all-round progress and prosperity - a better human society/civilization.)

*There was a well-thought-out system of governance/administration under a Cakravartin; so (maybe) long-term thinking (culminating in organic solutions/measures - for governance challenges, etc) and prioritization... with allies/other kings/chieftains/satraps was involved... (also) resulting in some (long-term) mechanism - collective guidelines/roadmap/framework/architecture in place; the macro-picture was kept in mind. [~ 'Coz adhocism, piecemeal-ism would have resulted in a constant back-and-forth, endless changes in those guidelines/framework... culminating in stagnation, letting go of opportunities, and so forth. The history of ancient India would have been very different then.] There was no "polity-based" system, though. 'Coz ancient India (no matter by what name this land was called) was no stranger to immense diversity (as well as very complex demographics). However, a Cakravartin knew how to turn all of that into strength, and therefore, an advantage. A Cakravartin-raja was (thus) a unifier, a binding force/factor; a leader, a ruler, an administrator, a far-thinker, a teacher, a catalyst, a reformer and a well-wisher of the people; one who could take diversities (of all kinds) along. His empire was not a monolith, but rather a confederation (with maximum internal autonomy). There were kings and chieftains (janapadin) governing their own big and small regions/kingdoms/territories (janapadas and mahajanapadas), and yet, they all functioned under the all-embracing "umbrella" (and wise, far-sighted, reassuring presence) of the Cakravartin. It was not a "polity-based" system, but a symbiotic one, a synergy-creating one. ~ He was the proverbial banyan tree beneath which all others sheltered. [They did not merely defend the territories/empire from external aggression - together, but enjoyed maximum internal autonomy as well. ~ Yet again, a win-win. In a way, we can say, collectivism/democracy at its best... under the "wisdom tree" (guiding spirit - Chakravartin). There was co-dependence (including economic dependence), and therefore, co-operation and collaboration; this ensured peace; they progressed and prospered together.] ... And, as we know, ancient India was marked by all-round progress, prosperity and preeminence. | Ancient India (whose contours were not confined to modern India) had a long-lived civilization and culture. Collaboration is the key to success in any venture... and this explains the multifarious achievements of the ancient Indians. ... The economy was robust and trade flourished (both overland trade and sea-borne trade... in raw materials, manufactured goods and objects). The wisdom behind the 'Chakravartin system of governance/administration' is this: diverse nations/cultures/peoples were able to celebrate and share their ideals and aspirations... leading to harmony, wholeness and integrity. [A veritable rainbow.] As a result: they were (largely) able to rise above their petty identities, narrow self-interests, and prejudices/disputes; they were (thus) also able to identify with their commonalities (~ and in the process develop some sort of cultural affinity). ~ This balanced and holistic worldview was a prerequisite for a sustainable and resilient future. This was the big vision... integrating the multifaceted nature of their co-existence with collaboration. ~ It needed collective effort: coexistence and cooperation. Recognizing and/or accepting intricacies (composite culture/diversities, etc) required forbearance and understanding. It needed energetic engagement with diversity - an achievement, 'coz mere diversity without real (organic) relationship would have yielded schisms/misunderstandings; the 'Chakravartin system of governance/administration' (instead) sought understanding across lines of difference, thus their ignorance of one another was minimized. They could hold their deepest differences not in isolation, but in relationship to one another: through constructive dialogue (both speaking and listening) and engagement, give and take, mutual respect, and so on... and this process (very likely) revealed both common understandings and real differences; however, given their guiding/management principles and qualitative approach/attitude/disposition, they could surge over or submerge these differences... leading to an organic confederation (of composite cultures/peoples/nations) that defended together and shared/created together. Coercion or craftiness/cunning (as opposed to diplomacy, patience, give and take, long-term vision and tactfulness) may not have achieved this level/quality of cohesion and endurance between superdiversities; instead, it may have widened and/or given rise to all manner of asymmetries and (ultimately) become a nemesis (ruinous or self-defeating). | Post the decline of the Gupta era, the importance of prioritizing - a collective roadmap/framework ['Cakravartin system of governance/administration'] and a binding and guiding factor [Cakravartin] was acutely clear to one and all... when an once-prosperous ancient India rapidly crumbled into smaller and fragmented monarchies, independent kingdoms and feudatory states. (~ Gradually... the ghor Kaliyug phase, euphemistically known as the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay set in.) 

In ancient India (which may not have been confined to the contours of modern India), the 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration' pretty much held good (~ until the decline of the Gupta period, that is). Thereafter, there was lack of wisdom, sagacity, long-term vision, foresight, and so forth; collective myopia precipitated the decline of ancient India. ~ Therefore, the earlier Cakravartins (very likely) also concentrated (i.e. invested time and effort) in building a framework/architecture/roadmap - through consensus. And, perhaps, this architecture/roadmap was not tied to them (meaning, it was irrespective of any personality, etc). Maybe, it was based on a comprehensive and long-term understanding of issues, events (and the like), besides, on the future needs of the various lands/regions and peoples (that came under the all-embracing/encompassing "umbrella" of the Cakravartin). Therefore, even when there were some hiccups... the consensus-based framework/guidelines/roadmap/architecture generally held good. ~ Maybe, such a broad-based/consensus-based framework/architecture/roadmap/system was required to manage/govern diverse cultures and peoples, with relative seamlessness. Maybe, it (also) aided in a relatively smooth change of guard/transfer of power/succession/transition (in any part of the empire)... and (thus) ensured continuity and peace with minimal turbulence. Also, each emperor/ruler/king/chieftain may not have possessed the same caliber and stature as the one preceding them. So (perhaps) having a consensus-based framework/architecture/roadmap/system made sense. ~ It (probably also) helped to unify while maintaining the cultural diversities et al. ... And this (perhaps) also enabled the Cakravartin to concentrate (invest time, energy and effort) on other important aspects, such as all-round progress, trade, innovation, and so on... instead of having to firefight all the time or expend all his time and energies in dispute-resolution/crisis-management. | Sri Ram was a fine Chakravartin (~ though his empire was not confined to the contours of modern India). Sri Krishn too, despite not being a samraat (emperor) himself, was a fine Chakravartin, given his actions, wisdom, foresight and guidance/counsel.

~ Another etymology (for "Kalkiḥ") from Sanskrit is 'white horse'; meaning: Kalkiḥ is the 'white horse'; maybe: someone with equine features. ~ The 'white' horse allegory: probably signifies Puṇḍarīka, Svetakamala or Shubhra Kamal - the metaphoric "pure white lotus". Pure white indicates pristine, embodiment of pure knowledge: kundalini power. It also signifies tranquility. | ... Krishn is also known as keshavah: one who is himself the three: kah Brahma, ah Vishnu and Isa Shiva; in other words: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram. [~ Do refer to the relevant passages on Keshavah.] | ~ Brahma, 'coz He is universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness; He is also Prapitaamahah: The creator of Lord Brahma (father of the 'father of beings'/thus Lord Brahma is also known as Pitamah), it is He who instructs Lord Brahma. (The 10th Vishnu is the avatar for the coming age or Yug, and is synonymous with Krishna. Maybe that's why this avatar is regarded as the second coming of Krishna.) ~ The 10th Vishnu is also regarded as 'Sampoorna Avatar' (a total, complete, all-encompassing avatar; now whether it means that glimpses of all avatars can be seen in this avatar or not? ~ my guess is as good as yours.) ... As for whether this avatar will also be (e.g.) Lord Maitreya Buddha (the next Buddha-to-be after Gautama Buddha/Sakyamuni Buddha), Saoshyant of the Zoroastrians, the second coming of Christ, and so on ~ my guess is as good as yours. (~ Also, given the Shambhala connection - since both are said to be the ruler/king of the fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala - whether Kalkiḥ Maitreya and/or Maitreya Buddha will also be Shambhu Nath or not ~ my guess is as good as yours.) [... However, if at all this were to be an all-encompassing avatar, it will not only be unprecedented, but none other than Krishn can manifest such an avatar.] (Maitreya - Pāli: mettā, Sanskrit: maitrī/maitree - means: 'One whose name is kindness or friendliness'. Maitreya could also mean, 'One who brings about maitrī'. A more fluent translation of Metteya in English would be "friend" - since maitrī (Pāli: mettā) is in turn derived from the noun mitra (Pāli: mitta) which means "friend". Buddha is derived from the root "Budh", meaning both to "wake up" and "to know". Thus, Buddha = One who is Enlightened or "Awakened".) | ~ The 10^th Vishnu (Vishnu-Kalki or Krishna-Kalki) is the Renaissance Man/Yug Purush who will #1. set the stage for Sat/Satya/Krita Yug ('Golden Age' - the age of rejuvenation, prosperity and progress) of the next cycle/Maha-Yug to manifest; #2. he will also provide the guidance for this inter-mahayug transition (from the 'Iron Age'/lowest point/worst of Kaliyug to the best era/yug of all - the 'Golden Age' of Sat/Satya/Krita Yug). #3. A preserver and stabilizing entity, he will be amongst humanity to prevent calamity/turmoil/destruction ('Pralaya' on earth); #4. to 'close' Kaliyug + the current Maha-Yug (four-yug cycle); to provide guidance and set the stage for a complete (though gradual) renaissance/renewal. | ... The Kalki-avatar (Krishna-Kalki) is not quite the "Apocalyptic Horse Rider". ~ He is a guide/pathfinder as well as protector and preserver/stabilizinger: one who will arrive to prevent Pralaya (on earth). ~ However, one wonders what the confusion and concern over the Mayan calendar - supposedly predicting the 'end of the world' (on December 21, 2012) was all about? Was it misunderstood or misinterpreted? Did the Mayans actually predict apocalypse/'end of the world'? Or, did they indicate the sun changing direction? Or was it indicative of the 'closure' of a yug (as they saw it)... and the subsequent transition into another... (and therefore), an opportunity to connect to greater wisdom and light? ~ My guess is as good as yours. (Maybe, a deeper study of their literature will throw more light. ~ If only the script/glyphs of various extinct civilizations could be deciphered...) [Do read: link - for more details on Shambhala, etc.] 

Note: Umm, did the Mayan Calendar indicate the closure of a cycle of time [yug - as they saw it; but then, did the later translators misinterpret it?] ~ Was it also indicative of the Galactic Alignment (~ the transition in to a whole new Yug - a Maha-Yug as per Sanaatan Dharmic thought; ~ not to a sudden total change/transformation/self enlightenment/self realization of the human species in totality... but to a gradual, incremental, slow but steady finding of its rhythm - through patience and collective effort... for a prosperous, progressive and inclusive society? ~ In other words: The [gradual] evolution/awakening/upgrade of human consciousness. The gradual awakening of the Chakras and kundalini, leading to the awakening of the Sahasrara - the 7^th chakra, the crown chakra (the highest chakra). 

[Note: Here is Tagore's Aloker ei jharna dharaye dhuiye dao: link. | Satyajit Ray's documentary on Tagore (~ the Biswa-kabi/Universal Bard is the first-ever Asian to be awarded with the Nobel Prize): link.]

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Nishkama karma (selfless/non-glory-seeking karma) is the dynamic power of duty (i.e. dharma/right action - for the greater good - a better/progressive society/civilization) exalted by (the dharmic freedom of) inner detachment. ~ It is freedom in action, not freedom from action. As such, it is an expression of deepest dharma (dharmic consciousness). It is a Cause far greater than the individual selves. It is one of Life. It is one of Right (dharma/ right action - for the greater good) and Truth - of our fundamental being. It is through disciplined karm that the individual comes to realize his or her true nature as well as his or her true purpose. [~ In other words: only by performing good deeds indefinitely/continuously, sakama (selfish, glory-seeking) karm gets transformed into nishkam (selfless/non-glory-seeking) karm.] ... It is then that one transcends the dualism of hope and despondency, gain and loss, joy and sorrow, hate and personal desire. It is then that one becomes a Siddha - a pure/perfect being - one's heart becomes larger than the universe itself (i.e. Sat-cit-ānanda or the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of self-realization.) ~ Wisdom is firmly set. Material desire (for praise, glory or thoughts of achieving 'eternal life' or moksha etc) is replaced by the desire of the soul and the realization of this inner self (self-realization) - one's true being - as part of a greater Whole, which is the proper goal of all one's striving. Those who are endowed with the knowledge of selfless (non-glory-seeking) action renouncing all motives of personal glory etc - perform their actions (duty/karm) without attachment to their consequences (fruits). They are not carried away by success or depressed by lack of quick results, but enjoy mental equanimity. Nothing can affect their resolve. Thus, they have achieved sovereign control of the mind and through it that inner freedom (dharmic freedom of inner detachment), which provides for unity (yog/sanyog) of thought, word and deed - which is the hallmark of Aryan consciousness ('Arya Dharma'). | The advantage that flows from the performance of selfless action may be summarized quite briefly. The imperative of dharma as detached (inner detachment, freedom from attachment) duty now reveals its own intrinsic values of dignity, purity and sublimity. It must be emphasized that selfless (non-glory-seeking) action does not suggest unconcern for a given goal or purpose. Indeed, implicit in the very concept is the idea of a cause, or purpose, beyond the interests of the individual (a cause much higher than oneself - for the greater good/Loka Kalyana or Loka-sangraha), which provides the necessary field for action. And there can be no higher cause than Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha (the greater good - to build a better society and civilization).

~ To work for a greater cause (e.g. for a better/progressive, prosperous and inclusive society and civilization), but to work in detachment (i.e. with inner detachment - with the dharmic freedom it bestows - symbolized by the lotus in muddy water and the hamsah/swan in water; not to be inferred as robotic or machine-like but that impediments should not deject or demoralize). [The roots of a lotus are in the mud (muddy water), the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristine above the water. ~ The lotus remains Nirmal - pristine, even though rooted in the muddiest waters. ~ While the swan's feathers do not get damp despite remaining in contact with water. ~ It is the mark of an enlightened, higher soul (mahatmanah). The spirit of such persons is spotless. Therefore, the concept of caraṇa-ambujam/caraṇa-ambhojam or "lotus feet" and kara-puṣkara or "lotus-palm" has come about. ~ The lotus flower and the swan/hamsah are (thus) embodiments of inner detachment (~ the dharmic freedom it bestows) and exemplify a true yogi - a real ascetic (hamsan) or sanyaasi (inner detachment/jeevan mukt - it does not indicate renunciation). ~ Such a one is a nishkam karm-yogi.] | To not feel upset if unsuccessful (i.e. if instant results are not achieved); to not feel pride if successful. To be indifferent/stoic to disparagement. To not feel exalted by praise. Instead, to feel indifferent. To cultivate equanimity and equipoise. That is intrinsic to karm yog. ~ Struggle (continuous effort) does not necessarily guarantee (instant) success; but without it, no positive change is possible. And the call to struggle is called - duty. The higher cause (for Loka Kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater good) and the struggle (continuous effort) alone should inspire the thoughts and actions. The struggle, however, is one of protraction - extending over decades and generations. [It also involves course correction, including resetting/redirection of humanity/society's inner compass.] It cannot be sustained by ephemeral passions or the whims of the moment, but only by focused and unrelenting resolve which is unaffected by the vagaries of success and setback. Therefore, it is important to cultivate the yoga of struggle (that of equanimity and equipoise). ~ BG 2.15:  || yam hi na vyathayanty ete purusam purusarsabha sama-duhkha-sukham dhiram so 'mrtatvaya kalpate || ~ "O noble one [Arjun], that person of wise judgment equipoise in happiness and distress, and is steady in both, is certainly eligible for 'eternal life' (immortality/mrityunjay - due to their karm)." | ~ Through the practice of selfless action, one achieves equanimity and efficiency. It is this efficiency of all those working in concert for the common cause which is the prerequisite for positive societal change. By choosing to become instruments of this higher cause (i.e. for Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater good) and struggle (continuous effort) ~ one becomes part of a higher destiny. Therefore, (Krishn's advise is): do your duty. Let your life become one with the Cause of the greater whole. That, and that alone. [~ That is nishkam (selfless/non-glory-seeking) karm and karm yog.] ~ If everyone concerned were to embrace the higher cause (leading to the greater good - a better society/world/civilization) and act upon it with dedication and consistency, the struggle (continuous effort) could certainly be mastered, no matter the odds. It requires staying-power (dharmic stamina and steadfastness). One cannot grow weary and give up, without committing themselves unreservedly to the struggle (i.e. to continuous effort for the higher cause - leading to the greater good: Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha). Instead of being active participants in their own destiny, humanity cannot become idlers and spectators. The higher Cause is impossible and hopeless for the weak-minded (in his or her own subjective judgment); it is not objectively hopeless or impossible for those worthy of it. For the former, this unimpressive attitude is the (result of) expectation of quick, easy, effortless results. If a certain outcome is not realized within a set period of time, they tend to despair, and (therefore) give up... and the whole enterprise is (thus) abandoned. ~ Ironically, it is this very focus on fixed (quick/instant, tangible) results, rather than on fulfillment of duty (steadfast karm/effort with inner detachment – for the greater good), which obscures the vision and blinds one to those possibilities which might otherwise open up as a by-product of correct thinking and acting, and thus lead to that very change they all seek. Amidst all the talk of the need for positive change, this fixation on (instant) outcome quickly leads to frustration and despair when success is not easily and readily achieved. But this attitude - this mental posture - is wrong and self-defeating. It is therefore prudent to shun such an attitude/outlook, and detach oneself. [i.e. to cultivate equanimity and equipoise - for inner detachment and the dharmic freedom it bestows. ~ This would give freedom in action, not freedom from action.] ~ The ancient Aryans (noble-minded or noble-natured people) called it nishkâma karma - action without attachment (to karmphal/outcome), action without personal desire (for quick/instant results or for personal glory). It is selfless endeavor, efficient (and continuous) action without fear or doubt, and may be defined as the performance of one's duty without desire for the fruits of one's action(s). [~ Here there is no regard for personal glory of any kind. One might say that it is simply a matter of doing the dharmic thing (for a better society/civilization - the greater/collective good) - not for the results or outcome, not out of desire for personal glory or praise. Nothing more, nothing less.] ... Put another way, selfless action (nishkam karm) is disciplined action directed toward a goal greater than one's own personal whims and interests; a higher cause - for the greater good (Loka Kalyana or Loka-sangraha). It is about becoming part of a higher destiny. The person of action (karm yogi - one who walks the talk) does not withdraw and turn inward, but cheerfully embraces struggle and toil as the ideal in life. [And so, Shri Ram is known as 'Adarsh/Ideal Purush'; he accepted continuous struggle and toil as being intrinsic to bringing about positive societal change; change in firmly held/ingrained mindset, viewpoints, conditioning, perceptions and so on.] For a karm yogi, selflessness consists of the renunciation of personal desire (a carefree life, personal glory, praise, etc), not of action itself. Restraint and discipline of the senses (i.e. inner detachment [Jeevan Mukt] and the dharmic freedom it bestows) must, accordingly, not be seen as selfish ends in themselves, enabling one to escape from the rigours of life. Rather - along with action (steadfast karm-yog) itself - they are to be considered a means by which one is able to discharge one's duty in the service of a higher cause (Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater/collective good, e.g. a progressive, prosperous and inclusive society). ~ Such a one  is a karm-yogi - hamsan; such a yogi is called hamsah - the swan. (~ Do also read the relevant passages on hamsah - the swan.)

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What does the joining of the palms indicate? 

The gesture used when bowing in Namaste is the bringing of both hands together, palms touching, in front of the person - usually at the chest, or a higher level such as below the chin, below the nose, or above the head.

~ This gesture is a mudra, a well-recognized symbolic hand position in the ancient Vedic faith (Sanaatan Dharma). One hand represents the higher, spiritual nature, while the other represents the worldly self. By combining the two, the person making the gesture is attempting to rise above his or her differences with others, to connect him or herself to the person they bow to. The bow is a symbolic bow of love and respect. [Sanaatan = timeless, eternal. Dharma = path or 'way of life'.] 

Particularly in the Sanaatan Dharma, when one worships or bows in reverence, the symbolism of the two palms touching is of great significance. It is the joining together of two extremities - the feet of the Divine, with the head of the devotee. The right palm denotes the feet of the Divine and the left palm denotes the head of the devotee. The Divine feet constitute the ultimate solace for all sorrows. ~ This is a time-honoured thought that runs through the entire ethos - of this timeless Vedic faith.