Tag: Hindusim

  • Hinduism Vedas On Patriotism Motherland

    Hinduism Vedas On Patriotism Motherland

    Had some one informed our leaders that our current National Motto,Sayameva Jayate, Truth Alone Triumphs, is from Mundaka Upanishad, it might not have been chosen as our emblem!

    Such is the attitude to our Motherland, deeply immersed we are ,in western thoughts.

    What do our Scriptures say about Mother Land  and our duty?

    Many, on an overdrive to honour Hinduism, quote,

    “Janani Janma-bhoomi-scha Swargadapi Gariyasi”

    Translated as “Mother and motherland are superior to Heaven.

    It is also reported that this verse appears in the Ramayana in the form of a dialogue between Rama and Lakshmana, and the quote is attributed to Rama(Yudddha Kanda)

    This is incorrect.

    The verse’s origin is unknown.

    It may be noted that this verse is the National Motto of Nepal.

    What do Vedas and the Ithihasas, Ramayana and Mahabharata say on Motherland and Patriotism!

    The attitude of Sanatana Dharma to world  is,

    Vasudeva Kudumbakam’

    The whole world is Vasudeva’s(Krishna) Family.

    Mata ca Parvati Devi Pita Devo Maheswaraha,

    Baandavaa Siva Bhaktaasca,

    Swadeso Bhuvana thrayam'(Shankaraccharya)

    Shiva is my Father,

    Parvati, my mother,

    Devotees of Shiva are my relatives,

    The whole world, the three worlds, is Mine’

    Tamil, another anient language of India says,

    Yaadum oore,

    Yaavarum Kelir’

    Every land is mine,

    Every one is my friend’

    Such being the approach, one does not find any direct reference to Motherland.

    For Hinduism, even thinking of anything less than the Universe is an aberration.

    Every thing in the Universe belongs to every one.

    Hence every one must be Happy.

    All Shanthi Mantras insist on this  point.

    ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
    सर 81;वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।
    सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु
    50;ा कश्चिद्द 69;ःखभाग्भव& #2375;त् ।
    ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
    Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
    Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah |
    Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu
    Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet |
    Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
    Meaning:
    1: Om, May All become Happy,
    2: May All be Free from Illness.
    3: May All See what is Auspicious,
    4: May no one Suffer.
    5: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
    ॐ सर्वेशां स्वस्तिर 81;भवतु ।
    सर्वेशा 06; शान्तिर् 49;वतु ।
    सर्वेशा 06; पुर्णंभव 40;ु ।
    सर्वेशा 06; मङ्गलंभव 40;ु ।
    ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
    Om Sarveshaam Svastir-Bhavatu |
    Sarveshaam Shaantir-Bhavatu |
    Sarveshaam Purnnam-Bhavatu |
    Sarveshaam Manggalam-Bhavatu |
    Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
    Meaning:
    1: May there be Well-Being in All,
    2: May there be Peace in All,
    3: May there be Fulfilment in All,
    4: May there be Auspiciousness in All,
    5: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
    ॐ शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः ।
    शं नो भवत्वर्य 50;ा ।
    शं नो इन्द्रो बृहस्पति 07; ।
    शं नो विष्णुरु 52;ुक्रमः ।
    Om Sham No Mitrah Sham Varunnah |
    Sham No Bhavatv-Aryamaa |
    Sham No Indro Brhaspatih |
    Sham No Vissnnur-Urukramah |

    It is not just land, but state/society is also praised as mother-goddess by the Veda. The mother says “aham rastrii” in the thirdmantra of Vaagaambhrini sukta (mandala 10, sukta 25 of Rigveda). She further says she causes wellbeing and prosperity of the peoples, all actions of men and gods are inspired by her, and she is the purpose of those actions.

    Moreover, Bharatavarsha covered he entire world.

    Hindus have the concept of state and society right from remote past. The concept of nation was not prevalent in the world a few centuries ago, except in Bharat. But the sense was not political/ military in nature – it was cultural and spiritual.

    Actions of every individual affect the society and every change in the society affects individuals. The actions that are inspired by this awareness are beneficial to individuals as well as the society. If that awareness is lacking, then individual interests alone inspire people’s actions and individuals’ vision becomes narrow. Then, though their actions are apparently beneficial in the short run, in the long run and at a society level their consequences can be harmful. The actions of people treating society as a goddess do not suffer from such shortcomings.

    We have Sukhtas devoted to Earth, Bhusuktha, and Neelasuktha.

    Some Mantras.

    ELA SARASWATI MAHI TISRO DEVIRMAYO BHUVAHA BARHIHI SEEDANTVA STRIDHAHA ||

    ————-(13/9, Rigveda)

    The 3 goddesses Earth, Saraswati and Vani are the givers of happiness who never become less. They are seated on their seats.One should regularly worship your motherland, the basic culture and the mother tongue because they are givers of happiness. That person who has a humanistic approach towards his land, civilization and Vani realises the greatness and he acquires all the happiness. He should indulge in those types of deeds that make the motherland, the culture and language proud.

    (4) GARHAPATYEN SANTYA RITUNA YAGYANIRASI ||

    ———(15/12, Rigveda)

    The householders who can do good work only if he remains like seasons.If a person (householder) moulds himself alike a season and indulges in the Karma of householder then only shall he acquire happiness. One should understand the meaning of seasons and should love his family. As a result he shall benefit monetarily and materially. A householder who practices restraint in taking care of his family only shall acquire family happiness and achieve higher social status.

    (5) DEVAN DEVYATE YAGYA

    ———(15/12, Rigveda)

    A person who desires godliness should worship gods.
    A person who desires godliness should respect scholars. By doing so they can attain some knowledge and can be inspired to do good Karma. By attaining godliness one shall be blessed with happiness and growth.

    (6) YUVAKU HI SHACHINAM, YUVAKU SUMATINAM BHUYAM VAJADANNAMA ||

    (14/4, Rigveda

    May all our energies become one and may all the good thoughts come together and may we become the greatest amongst the mighty.

    Scholars who are intelligent, valiant who are brave, and business person who donate food, if come together and have no difference of opinion then the nation shall grow.

    The intelligent on the basis of their knowledge shall become mighty and great as a result of the fusion of food and energy.

    Citation.

    http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Concept_of_Motherland

    https://ramanisblog.in/2014/05/09/rig-veda-speaks-of-daily-life-quotes/

  • Whom Did Lord Rama Worship?

    Whom Did Lord Rama Worship?

    My Posts are an attempt to unravel our History, which has been distorted ,erased beyond imagination by the Britishers and other westerners at the instance of the Vatican and the special effort of the Britishers to Divide India and rule it, by sowing seeds of mistrust, disrespect for our scriptures.

    Rameshwaram.jpg
    Rameshwaram, where Rama worshiped Shiva.

    This was achieved by totally erasing some of our texts,by having the ancient manuscripts shipped abroad, by introducing English as a Medium of instruction totally banishing India Languages, especially Sanskrit and by pseudo Indologists like Max Mueller,a  Missionary by initially trying to write honestly and later interpolating meanings of the Vedas that would make a mockery of Hinduism.

    I am trying to piece together our History , thanks to the web, where wittingly or unwittingly the suppressed information about Santana Dharma is available.

    It takes a considerable effort to locate them.

    That has been the purpose of my Blog, apart from informing the younger generation about how they are inheritors of a Great Culture.

    In this process some times information is likely to surface, which may not be palatable to some Hindus even.

    For example the information that Vedas do not prohibit women from performing Sraddha or having Upanayana performed for them

    Or there is no such thing temple worship.

    Or there is no Caste by Birth.

    Now I am presenting information about the Avatars of Vishnu,Rama here.

    Similar information on other Avatars follows.

    After the Vedic period there have been unsavoury pollution of Sanatana Dharam with many schools of Thoughts coming into force, some denying the Vedas, some denying God, but believing in the Vedas,then sects Saivism and Si Vaishnavam

    The last one took an ugly turn with each accusing the other and one sect insulting Vishnu and another Shiva.

    All are wrong and they do not carry the authority of the Vedas, notwithstanding what the Puranas say.

    For a Hindu, the Vedas are The Authority, period,

    Now to the question of whom did Lord Rama worship, one depends on Valmiki Ramayana and other Ramayana also by Valmiki.

    Now Valmiki Ramayana is the one being accepted as the source.

    Lord Rama belonged to Surya Vamsa, the Solar Dynasty.

    As such Surya the Sun is their Deity.

    That Surya is considered as the expression of Vishnu is another matter.\

    However Lord Krishna says , in the Bhagavad Gita,otherwise.

    He says He is Vishnu, not as the other way.

    Adhityaanam aham  Vishnu and not as

    Vishnunnam Aham Adhitya.

    So Rama. following family Traditions, worshiped Surya.

    Apart from this Rama worshiped Shiva a couple of times the important one being His Worship of Lord Shiva, at Rameswaram to rid of the Brahmahathi Dosha accrued by killing Ravana, a vedicV scholar.

    Rama also worshiped Surya in the battle field for mental strength and victory, at the instance of Sage Agastya.

    Thus was born the Adhitya Hrudayam Sloka.

    Rama also seemed to have worshiped Devi though Valmiki does not mention this in Ramayana.

    ‘As per Patteeshwaram Ashtabhuja Durga Temple stala, it is noted that the worship of Devi Durga owes its origin to ShreeRam. In the ‘Ramayana’, as it goes, Rama went to ‘Lanka’ to rescue his abducted wife, Sita, from the grip of Ravana, the king of the Demons in Lanka. Before starting for his battle with Ravana, Rama wanted the blessings of Devi Durga . He came to know that the Goddess would be pleased only if she is worshipped with one hundred ‘NeelKamal’ or blue lotuses. Rama, after travelling the whole world, could gather only ninety nine of them. He finally decided to offer one of his eyes, which resembled blue lotuses. Durga, being pleased with the devotion of Rama, appeared before him and blessed him…

    ..he correctness of Ramayana is that the story is based on the Ramayana, but does not actually come in the Ramayana text of Valmiki. It is found in various Puranas. When Rama was going to cross the ocean, some texts describe that He performed worship of Durga Devi to inform her of His intentions of invading Lanka. The reason for this is that Durga was the protector of Kuvera’s island of Lanka before it was taken by Ravana. As such, it was proper etiquette for Rama, acting as a human king, to inform Durga Devi that He was about to invade her area of control. In this story, Rama acts as a yajaman, and Brahma acts as a priest who performs the sacrifice to please Durga Devi.

    In the sattvika puranas, the story is described that Rama prays to Durga, and Durga replies, “I am your external shadow energy. What ever you wish to do, I am your servant.” This is along the lines of the text “shrishti-sthiti-pralaya-sadhana-shaktir eka chayeva yasya bhuvanani bibharti durga” found in the scriptures. Durga Devi (Maha Maya) is the shadow energy of Lord Narayana.

    In the rajasika puranas the story is described differently. When Rama calls to Durga, she refuses to appear. Then Rama pierces his eye with an arrow, and Durga Devi appears crying tears of blood.

    Throughout the Puranas and various versions of the Ramayana we find a variation of three types of puja Rama did, either to Shiva, Durga or Brahma. It is likely that the variations are due to yuga-bheda, or the minor differences that occur in different ages. The Rama-lila is performed every Treta-yuga, and as such it has occurred thousands of times with many variations. We do not know from which time period the stories are recorded in each book. Thus there are many seemingly contradictory descriptions in the Puranas. It is described that Jambavan, the vanara devotee of Lord Rama, takes part in each incarnation of Rama in the same body. The cosmic cycles of time are moving like seasons, and these histories are played out in every age on schedule.
    http://www.bvashram.org/articles/48/1/Di…

    Finally, depending on Valmiki Ramayana, the sage Agastiya suggested Rama is found correct and nowhere it is found Durga worship by Rama. Only sage Agastiya adviced Rama to conquer in the battle field by worshipping the Surya, the sun-god rendering Aditya Hridayam. Rama accepted the sage Agastiya’s advice and worshipped.’

    I have posted quite a few posts where Rama is shown to have worshiped Shiva many times.

    And his ancestor Bhagiratha brought Ganges to Earth by severe peneance to Lord Shiva.

    Based on these texts, Lord Rama worshiped Shiva and Surya.

    Citation.

    https://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110509025104AAULkKN

    Bhagiratha Worships Shiva, Stuthi.

    https://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110509025104AAULkKN

    PS.Let me add that Shiva and Vishnu are expressions of the Same Reality Brahman and there is no question of who is Greater.

    Though comments are welcome, no comment about sectarian issues will be published.

    This site is meant for Sanatana Dharam, the underlying principle being,

    All Gods are One, May Every One Be Happy.

    Sarvam Krishnaarppanam.

    Everything Is Dedicated to Krishna.

    Maatha Ca Parvati Devi Pitha Devo Maheswaraha,

    Baandhavaa siva Bhalthaascha Swadeso Bhvanathrayam

    My Mother is Parvati,

    Father, Shiva.

    Devotees of Shiva are my relatives and

    All the three worlds are Mine

  • Rama Not Worshiped In Krishna Mahabharata Times?

    I came across a discussion in the web whether Lord Rama was worshiped during the period of Mahabharata and Lord Krishna.

    With my limited knowledge of the Epics,Ramayana and Mahabharata, I verified facts.

    Vishnu ViswaroopamVisnu's Cosmic Form.
    Viswaroopa Of Vishnu.

    There is no mention of anyone , let alone Krishna, worshiping Lord Rama during the Mahabharata period.

    Reasons are quite a few.

    1.In Indian Philosophy, Individual worship, or collective worship is not encouraged.

    Nor the idol worship is allowed /mentioned in the Vedas.

    However one finds the worship of Gods by performing penance was undertaken.

    In the Puranas and the Epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, The Trimurti, Brahma, Vishnu,  Shiva and Devi were worshiped in the form of penance, mainly to get material benefit, Power or Knowledge.

    Indra was also worshiped in the same way.

    However the practice of worshiping a Living One or a Deified One like Rama was not in practice.

    In the case of Rama,many Rishis,many commoners, and even Rakshasas including Ravana knew Rama as an Avatar.

    But the fervent worship in our present style we have now was not there.

    Intense personal devotion to Rama by Hanuman,Sabari and a few others was in vogue.

    In the same way,Rama was not worshiped during the Mahabharata period.

    2.As Indian philosophy is  of the view that personal enlightenment is by  one’s efforts and action with God as a facilitator,not by God as the sole provider of Salvation,(Gnana , Karma and Raja Yoga)

    (Visishtadvains , some others and those who follow Bhakthi Marga would differ with me here), worshiping for Salvation was

    in theform of penance, supplemented by effort in following Dharma as prescribed in the Vedas.

    I am also aware that if one has to perform good actions and be pious , God’s Benevolence is needed.

    One needs the Blessings of the Lord to even think of Him.

    At the same time, Indian Philosophy is equally forceful in saying that one can attain Moksha by one’s efforts alone.

    This divergence of views is the speciality of Hinduism.

    These points can not be argued upon as they do not fall within the purview of Logic but Experience and Intuition.

    3. Yet there is no doubt  that Lord Rama was venerated during the Mahabharata times.

    Lord Krishna Himself appeared in the form of Rama to Jambhavantha before marrying his daughter Jambavathi.

    And we had Hanuman revealing Himself to Bhima and extolling Rama, when Bhima tried to pick up a quarrel with Hanuman.

    4.Lord Rama had shown his Viswaroopa to Bharghav Rama.

    Ramayana is narrated thrice in Mahabharata by Lomasa, Markandeya and Hanuman .

    .Rama’s Viswaroopa.

    ‘”Lomasa continued, ‘Hearing this, Dasaratha’s son blazed up in wrath and said, ‘I have heard what thou hast said, and even pardoned thee. O son of Bhrigu’s race, thou art full of vanity. Through the Grandsire’s grace thou hast obtained energy that is superior to that of the Kshatriyas. And it is for this that thou insultest me. Behold me now in my native form: I give thee sight.’ Then Rama of Bhrigu’s race beheld in the body of Dasaratha’s son the Adityas with the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas with the Marutas, the Pitris, Hutasana, the stellar constellations and the planets, the Gandharvas, the Rakshasas, the Yakshas, the Rivers, the tirthas, those eternal Rishis identified with Brahma and called the Valkhilyas, the celestial Rishis, the Seas and Mountains, the Vedas with the Upanishads and Vashats and the sacrifices, the Samans in their living form, the Science of weapons, O Bharata, and the Clouds with rain and lightning, O Yudhishthira! And the illustrious Vishnu then shot that shaft. And at this the earth was filled with sounds of thunder, and burning meteors. O Bharata, began to flash through the welkin. And showers of dust and rain fell upon the surface of the earth. And whirlwinds and frightful sounds convulsed everything, and the earth herself began to quake. And shot by the hand of Rama, that shalt, confounding by its energy the other Rama, came back blazing into Rama’s hands. And Bhargava, who had thus been deprived of his senses, regaining consciousness and life, bowed unto Rama–that manifestation of Vishnu’s power. And commanded by Vishnu, he proceeded to the mountains of Mahendra.( Mahabharata , Vana Parva,Tirtha Yatra Parva , Section XCIX)

    http://www.mahabharataonline.com/translation/mahabharata_03099.php

    https://www.quora.com/Hindu-Mythology/Why-is-Lord-Ram-not-worshipped-during-time-of-Lord-Krishna-When-did-Ram-become-Lord-Ram

  • Indian Brahmin Migration To Europe 8000 Years DNA Proof

    I have been trying to fathom the mystery of Human migration in the world.

    There are descriptions of Great Flood in almost all the mythologies,Jewish, Christian, Mayan,Incas, Sumerian.

    But the Great Floods do not get such detailed references anywhere as in Tamil Classics belonging to Tamil Sangam Era, which is erroneously dated around 3 BC.

    The internal evidence in the Texts, external references found in world literature, Vedic Texts and Geology assigns an earlier date.

    There is a study which states that the Tamils were very much an advanced civilisation around 74,000 years ago.

    Please refer my Post.

    And there is site reflecting Tamil Culture, 1 Million year old, in Pallavaram Cheanni, Tamil Nadu, India.

    Tamil quotes the Vedas and they quote Tamil.

    Read my Post on this.

    So it is well nigh impossible to assign exact dates for these two or which precedes the other because of the Time frame involved, on the available evidence now.

    Dating of these are verified by Astronomy, Astro-archeology and of course by Anthropology,Cultural,Linguistic similarities and Archeology.

    Yet another source is Genome Study, the Study of Genes.

    By studying  and comparing the Genes of the present population with the ancient skeletons found around the world, one can arrive at a conclusion.

    When one looks at Human population in the Europe, one finds that it seems to start abruptly, with the statement that People migrated from Asia.

    From where in Asia and Why?

    The Western science has been silent till now.

    Now research of DNA has come a long way and they prove that the migration took place from India, then called Bharatavarsha.

    Reference in The Bhagavatha Purana states that the ancestor of Lord Rama, Satyavrata Manu migrated from the South of Vindhya Mountains to Ayodhya and Manu’ son Ikshvaku founded the Ikshvaku Dynasty.

    Please read my Post, Rama’s ancestor Dravida, migrated from South.

    At the same time Shiva with his son Ganesha moved westwards  through Middle East ,Europe,Africa,South America, North America, Central America, Russia to Arctic where the Rig Veda was composed.

    Then they returned to India through the Khyber Pass and this event has been taken as Aryan Invasion of India.

    Please read my Posts on each point.

    Now that the far Eastern and American civilizations are traced to Santana Dharma, it is evident that the people of the far east( in relation to the west, here they mean the now Middle east), it is the Sanatana Dharma Tribes which migrated to these places.

    Read my Post Vedic Tribes.

    The Reports.

    Human Migration, In and Out of India.jpg Human Migration, In and Out of India.

    * I have provided this Map to inform readers of the other view that the initial Migration to India was from Africa.I disagree with this view.Check My Posts on this.

    A new study has revealed that Indians belonging to higher castes are genetically closer to Europeans than are individuals from lower castes, whose genetic profiles are closer to those of Asians.

    The study compared genetic markers—located on the Y chromosome and the mitochondrial DNA—between 265 Indian men of various castes and 750 African, Asian, European and other Indian men. To broaden the study, 40 markers from chromosomes 1 to 22 were analyzed from more than 600 individuals from different castes and continents. The comparison of the markers among these groups confirmed that genetic similarities to Europeans increased as caste rank increased.

    The study, led by Michael Bamshad of the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, and his colleagues, is reported to be the most comprehensive genetic analysis to date of the impact of European migrations on the structure and origin of the current Indian population. The article appears in the current issue of Genome Research.

    The caste system, defined in ancient Sanskrit texts, determines a person’s rank in society: The Brahmin, who were traditionally priests and scholars, held the highest rank in Hindu society. Warriors and rulers made up the Kshatriya who were the next in line to the Brahmin. Merchants, traders, farmers, and artisans were the third caste called the Vysya. The Shudra were the fourth rank and consisted of laborers. Because of strict rules forbidding marriage between men and women of different castes, these four classes remained distinct for thousands of years.

    Bamshad’s team found that Y chromosomes from the Brahmin and Kshatriya closely resembled European Y chromosomes rather than Asian Y chromosomes. The Y chromosomes from the lower castes bore more similarities to the Asian Y chromosome. The mitochondrial DNA showed the same pattern.

    The authors believe their results support the notion that Europeans who migrated into India between 3,000 and 8,000 years ago may have merged with or imposed their social structure on the native northern Indians and placed themselves into the highest castes.

    Analysis of the paternally transmitted Y chromosome among Indians in general indicated that the Y chromosome had a more European flavor. Maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA among Indians is more Asian than European. This suggests that the Europeans who entered India were predominantly male.

    . . .

    .

    That required developing new computational methods for genetic analysis. “Figuring out how these populations are related is extremely hard,” Reich says. “There’s a lot that happened in Europe in the last 8,000 years, and this history acts like a veil, making it difficult to discern what happened at the beginning of this period. We had to find statistics that were able to tell us what happened deep in the past without getting confused by 8,000 years of intervening history, when massive and important events occurred.”

    “What we find is unambiguous evidence that people in Europe today have all three of these ancestries: early European farmers who brought agriculture to Europe, the indigenous hunter-gatherers who were in Europe prior to 8,000 years ago, and these ancient north Eurasians,” Reich says. Further analyses showed that describing present-day Europeans as a mixture of the three populations is a good fit for most, although not all, populations.

    When the study began, the ancient north Eurasian population was a “ghost population”—identified based on genetic patterns without any ancient DNA. But in 2013, another group analyzed DNA from two skeletons found in Siberia, one from 24,000 years ago and one from 17,000 years ago, and found that it shared genetic similarities with Europeans and North Americans. The ghost, Reich says, had been found.

    Although DNA from ancient north Eurasians is present in nearly all modern Europeans, Reich’s team did not find it in their ancient hunter-gatherers or the ancient farmers. That means the north Eurasian line of ancestry was introduced into Europe after agriculture had been established, a scenario most archaeologists had thought unlikely.

    “We have this amazing observation that only two ancestries are represented among the first farmers, from about 7,000 to 5,000 years ago. And then suddenly everybody today has ancient north Eurasian ancestry,” Reich says. “So there must have been a later movement of this ancestry into Europe.”

    Anthropologists have long thought that densely settled populations would be resistant to the arrival of new groups. “But this is hard evidence that exactly such a major migration occurred,” Reich says. “It’s very important because it’s a major contributor to Europeans today.” The time of the ancient north Eurasians’ arrival remains to be determined, but Reich says their later-than-expected movement into Europe might help explain the complex mix of languages that exists there today…

    ..Anatole Klyosov is a friend of yours? That is positively awesome. The y-DNA R1a1a matter still seems to be shrouded in mystery to a large extent. There is a basic split between Northern Europe and Asia which has become apparent. Here is a blog post from the Polish Genetics and Anthropology Blog run by one of our very own forum members which summarizes the findings. A major division within R1a1a emerges: Southern Europe and Asia vs. Northern Europe

    As mentioned on this blog recently, there’s a lot of action on different fronts to try and decipher the story of R1a1a. Many new SNPs are being discovered, and one of the most fascinating found to date is Z93. This marker appears to be a signal of a major split within R1a1a, with most samples from north of the Alps and Carpathians coming back Z93-. These include Brits, Germans, Poles, Finns, Scandinavians and Russians. The Z93+ crowd features Italians, Spaniards, Indians, Pakistanis, Ashkenazim Jews, Hungarians, Turks and Arabs. Eventually, I’ll put together a comprehensive post about all the newly discovered SNPs within R1a1a, and what they might mean. Till then, the link below might be of use to all those interested in how things are going.

    Thus far, all the South-Asian participants of the Family Tree DNA R1a1a and Subclades Y-DNA Project have tested positive for the Z93 SNP, which, as mentioned, seems to be the defining SNP which separates Northern European and Asiatic R1a1a indviduals. From the R1a1a spreadsheet, I will list a few Indian individuals who have tested for the relevant SNPs in question;
    – An individual who lists his surname as Bajwa. The Bajwa are a Jatt clan from the Punjabi-speaking areas of Northwest India. This individual is listed as positive (+) for Z93.
    – An individual who is of a Nair background from Kerala, southern India. He is positive for both Z93 and L342.2+, which is downstream from Z93.
    -An individual who lists his surname as Kamath. Kamath is a very common surname among the Saraswat Brahmins of the Konkan coast of India. He is positive for L342.2. Given that this is downstream from Z93, it is likely he is also Z93+.
    – A Bihari Brahmin individual who lists his last name as Dikshit. As in the last two individuals, he has not tested for Z93 but is L342.2+ and L657+, both downstream from Z93.
    – An individual who lists his surname as Khokar. Khokar is a Punjabi-specific surname borne by a variety of clans of various ethnic groups in the Punjab region. While the individual doesn’t seem to have tested for Z93, he is L342.2+, thus he is likely to be Z93+ as well.

    I personally think it would be highly fallacious to form any conclusions based on such small sampling. More R1a1a South-Asians most certainly need to get themselves tested. But thus far, all the Indian individuals seem to be Z93+. I asked Polako, the forum enthusiast on everything R1a1a about all this, and this is what he had to say. However, going by the results thus far, I have no idea as to how we could possibly go about tracking the Indo-European migration to India and their patrilineal descendants (Brahmins, etc) if all South-Asian R1a1a individuals are indistinguishable from each other. This, to me, make absolutely no sense. I will refrain from concluding anything on the matter for now, though. The apparent lack of SNP differentiation between various South-Asian R1a1a individuals also doesn’t quite corroborate with the appreciable variation and differences in the autosomal DNA admixture proportions of the various castes and tribes of India.

    The T. Kivisild et al study is actually based on y-DNA and mtDNA Haplogroups, not autosomal DNA. The map which you posted is actually a multidimensional scaling plot of eight Indian and seven western Eurasian populations, using Fst distances calculated for 16 Y-Chromosomal SNP haplogroups. In terms of autosomal DNA however, the Punjabis cluster firmly within South-Asia, along with other more North-Westerly groups such as the Pathans, Sindhis and Kashmiris. Additionally, they tend to exhibit elevated amounts of West-Asian and Northeastern European admixture relative to other South Asian groups; which is quite typical of Northwest Indian and Pakistani groups.

    The Lambadis are a nomadic tribe affiliated with the Banjaras of Northwest India found in south and west India. The Castes and Tribes of South India (1909) by Edgar Thurston and K. Rangachari has an interesting introductory account on them;

    The Lambadis are also called Lambani, Brinjari or Banjari, Boipari, Sugali or Sukali. By some Sugali is said to be a corruption of supari (betel nut), because they formerly traded largely therein.”The Banjaras,” Mr. G. A. Grierson writes, “are the well- known tribe of carriers who are found all over Western and Southern India. One of their principal sub-castes is known under the name of Labhani, and this name (or some related one) is often applied to the whole tribe. The two names appear each under many variations, such as Banjari, Vanjarl, Brinjari, Labhani, Labani, Labana, Lambadi, and Lambani. The name Banjara and its congeners is probably derived from the Sanskrit Vanijyakarakas, a merchant, through the Prakrit Vanij-jaarao, a trader. The derivation of Labhani or Labani, etc., is obscure. It has been suggested that it means salt carrier from the Sanskrit lavanah, salt, because the tribe carried salt, but this explanation goes against several phonetic rules, and does not account for the forms of the word like LabhanI or LambanI. Banjari falls into two main dialects — that of the Panjab and Gujarat, and that of elsewhere (of which we may take the Labhani of Berar as the standard). All these different dialects are ultimately to be referred to the language of Western Rajputana (Rajasthan). The Labhani of Berar possesses the characteristics of an old form of speech, which has been preserved unchanged for some centuries. It may be said to be based partly on Marwari and partly on Northern Gujarati. It is noted by Mr. Grierson that the Banjari dialect of Southern India is mixed with the surrounding Dravidian languages.

    Oddly enough, the Lambadi of Andhra Pradesh according to the same Kivisild et al. (2005) study exhibited y-DNA R1b at 27%, which is quite atypical for Indians in general.

    Citation.

    http://www.hhmi.org/news/modern-europeans-descended-three-groups-ancestors

    http://www.forumbiodiversity.com/showthread.php/25479-Brahmin-caste-R-M17-affinities-with-Europeans-or-lack-thereof-(split)-mod?s=58e5b2b489abad795b20a2acde8a7a64

    http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/05_01/Indo-European.shtml

  • Tirupati – Tirumala 2100 Million Years Old ,Geology

    Tirupati – Tirumala 2100 Million Years Old ,Geology

    Tirupati Balaji, Venkateswara is one of the most venerated Gods of Hinduism and the temple, in Chittoor District is visited by thousands of people everyday.

    The Hindu Puranas speak of this temple as being quite old.

    This Temple in the Tirupati/Tirumala Hills is and surrounded by  Hills which are prehistoric and the Hills have the world’s most ancient natural rock Archway.

    Geologists have dated this and the information tallies with what Hindu Puranas say about the age of the Hills.

    It is about 21oo Million years old.

    Eparchaean Unconformity (Tirupati hills) is a major discontinuity of stratigraphic significance that represents a period of remarkable serenity in the geological history of the earth. It is seen at the steep natural slopes, road scars and ravines in the Tirupati – Tirumala Ghatroad in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India.[1][2]

    Antiquity of  Tirupati, Tirumala Hills, India.jpg Plaque gives brief details of Eparchaen Unconformity Image Credit.”Plaque at Tirumal hills on Eparchean Unconformity” by Nvvchar – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plaque_at_Tirumal_hills_on_Eparchean_Unconformity.jpg#/media/File:Plaque_at_Tirumal_hills_on_Eparchean_Unconformity.jpg

    In 2001, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) declared the unconformity to be one of the 26 “Geological Monuments of India”. GSI’s commemoration document, published on the occasion of the 150 years anniversary celebration, provides an insight into the formation of the subcontinent, the orogeny, the paleoenvironment and the exotic collection of paleo-flora and fauna. The details provided for the Eparchaean Unconformity monument indicate that this feature forms the boundary surface between Proterozoic Nagari Quartzites andArchaean granite. The time gap between the formation of the two units is at least 500 Ma.[2]

    Naturak Archway Tirupati.jpg Natural Archway Tirupati, The assessed geological age of the rock arch is 2.5 billion years. Formation of the arch is attributed to intensified weathering and erosion of stream action that has withstood the torque of nature Image Credit.”Natural stone arch in tirumala” by Tatiraju.rishabh at English Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Natural_stone_arch_in_tirumala.JPG#/media/File:Natural_stone_arch_in_tirumala.JPG

    Garuda hiils , Tirupathi.jpg
    Garuda hiils , Tirupathi.Million Years Old.

    At this location, the boundary is between sedimentary rocks of the Cudappah Supergroup, 1600 million years in age, and Archaean rocks comprising granites, gneisses and dolerite dykes that are more than 2100 million years old. This unconformity gives an indication of the enormous time gap in the creation of the earth’s crust.

    Tirupati Tirumala hilld.jpg
    Tirupat Hills, Balaji TempleTirupati Tirumala

    The Tirupati hills are situated at the foot of a range of hills known by several names, including ‘Seshachala’, ‘Venkatachala’ and ‘Balaji’. There are four geological units:

    (1) Archaean rocks of the eastern Dharwar Craton (the granites and gneisses)
    (2) the Eparchean unconformity (Quartzose sandstones overlying the granite with a distinct unconformity)
    (3) Puranas (a general name for Proterozoic sedimentary sequences found in a series of basins deposited on the Indian Shield; including the Cuddapah Basin)[4]
    (4) Quaternary deposits

    The Tirumala hills essentially of precambrian period are composed of sedimentary rocksquartzites and intercalated shales, which are referred to as the Nagari quartzites, which forms part of the Cuddapah Supergroup. It is a subset of the Purana rock succession that rests above the archaean rocks.[2][3][5]

    The hill ranges of the Tirumala rise to a height of 900 metres (3,000 ft) (at Tirumala) from the average height of 150 metres (490 ft) in the plains at Tirupati. The steep scarp of the ranges shows the Eparchian Unconformity’s topographic, structural and denudational features.[2][6] The sedimentary thickness of the Cudappah basin is of the order of 12 kilometres (7.5 mi), and includes volcanic sequences in the form of sills and dykes. A prominent Eparchaean Unconformity of the formation resting on the archaean peninsular gneissic complex is noted. Rocks of the Cuddapah Supergroup, and the overlying Kurnool Group, comprise the stratigraphic sequence of the basin. This feature is contiguous all along the defined Archaean-Cuddapah contact zone even though its age may vary along its traced path.[2][7]

    Access

    The location of the Geological Monument is well connected by road, rail and air routes. The nearest railhead to Tirumala hills is Tirupati. The geological monument is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) northwest of Tirupati town, at the 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) point on the Tirupati – Tirumala Ghat road. From Tirupati railway station the approach to the Tirumal temple is only by road, a distance of 10 kilometres (6.2 mi).[2][8] The nearest airport is located at Renigunta, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) away from the Tirupati city, which connects to Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore airports. Regular bus services (both private and government) are operated by all the states bordering Andhra Pradesh.

    Known History of the temple as per records.

    All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions. It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple. After the decline of the Vijayanagar dynasty, nobles and chieftains from all parts of the country continued to pay their homage and offer gifts to the temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle, visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald which is still preserved in a box named after the General. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal. After the fall of the Hindu kingdoms, the Muslim rulers of Karnataka and then the Britishers took over, and many of the temples came under their supervisory and protective control. In 1843 AD, the East India Company divested itself of the direct management of non-Christian places of worship and native religious institutions. The administration of the shrine of Sri Venkateswara and a number of estates were then entrusted to Sri Seva Dossji of the Hatiramji Mutt at Tirumala, and the temple remained under the administration of the Mahants for nearly a century, till 1933 AD. In 1933, the Madras Legislature passed a special act, which empowered the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD) Committee to control and administer a fixed group of temples in the Tirumala-Tirupati area, through a Commissioner appointed by the Government of Madras. In 1951, the Act of 1933 was replaced by an enactment whereby the administration of TTD was entrusted to a Board of Trustees, and an Executive Officer was appointed by the Government . The provisions of the Act of 1951 were retained by Charitable and Religious Endowments Act, 1966.
    
    From The Puranas.
    Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya is referred to in several Puranas, of which the most important are the Varaha Purana and the Bhavishyottara Purana. The printed work contains extracts from the Varaha Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Harivamsa, Vamana Purana, Brahma Purana, Brahmottara Purana, Aditya Purana, Skanda Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana. Most of these extracts describe the sanctity and antiquity of the hills around Tirumala and the numerous teerthams situated on them. The legends taken from the Venkatachala Mahatmya and the Varaha Purana, pertaining to the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala, are of particular interest. According to the Varaha Purana, Adi Varaha manifested Himself on the western bank of the Swami Pushkarini, while Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara came to reside on the southern bank of the Swami Pushkarini. One day, Rangadasa, a staunch devotee of Vishnu, in the course of his pilgrimage, joined Vaikhanasa Gopinatha, who was going up the Tirumala Hill for the daily worship of Lord Venkateswara. After bathing in the Swami Pushkarini, he beheld the lotus-eyed and blue-bodied Vishnu beneath a tamarind tree. Vishnu was exposed to the sun, wind and rain and was only protected by the extended wings of Garuda. Rangadasa was astounded by the wonderful sight. He raised a rough wall of stones around the deity, and started supplying flowers faithfully to Gopinatha everyday for Vishnu's worship. One day, Rangadasa was distracted by a Gandharva king and his ladies. Consequently, he forgot to supply flowers to Gopinatha for Vishnu's worship. The Lord then revealed Himself and told Rangadasa that He had been testing the latter's continence, but Rangadasa had not been steadfast and had succumbed to temptation. However, the Lord accepted and appreciated Rangadasa's devoted service to Him till then, and blessed Rangadasa that he would be reborn as an affluent ruler of a province and would enjoy the earthly pleasures. He would continue to serve the Lord, construct a beautiful temple with a vimana and high surrounding walls, and thereby earn eternal glory. Rangadasa was reborn as Tondaman, the son of the royal couple, Suvira and Nandini. Tondaman enjoyed a pleasurable life as a young man. One day, he set out on a hunting expedition on the Tirumala Hill, and with the help of a forester, saw Vishnu under the tamarind tree. Tondaman returned home, deeply affected by the vision of Vishnu. Tondaman later inherited his father's kingdom, Tondamandalam. In accordance with the directions given by Adi Varaha to a forester, Tondaman constructed a prakaram and dvara gopura, and arranged for regular worship of the Lord (according to Vaikhanasa Agama). In the Kali Yuga, Akasaraja came to rule over Tondamandalam. His daughter Padmavathi was married to Venkateswara. The marriage, officiated by Brahma, was celebrated with great pomp and splendour.
    

    Tirumala-Tirupati :-

        The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and spectacular places of pilgrimage in India. It is situated in the Chittoor district in southern Andhra Pradesh. The town owes its existence to the sacred temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara situated on the Tirumala Hill adjoining it. With a history that dates back to over twelve centuries, the temple is the jewel in the crown of ancient places of worship in southern India.
    

    The Tirumala Hill is 3200 ft above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.

        The sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatadri (Venkata Hill), and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala.
    Citations.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Kamble16
    
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eparchaean_Unconformity