Tag Mahabharata

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum Bhishma Stuti, Janmashtami

Bhishma is the Grand Sire of all Hindus.

He is so revered that Hindus perform the Tharpana, which is performed by one for his ancestors, for him though Bhishma never married for He wanted his father's offspring by his second wife to ascend the throne.

As he has done what is impossible for a Man( Being a Naishtika Mrahmachari, that is not allowing semen to fall ), Devavrata was rechristened Bhishma(one who does the impossible).

Lord Krishna has(d)the highest regard for Bhishma.

It was mutual.

During the Mahabharata War, as Bhishma lay dying, Krishna takes the Pandavas to Bhishma's Death bed and asks Bhishma to advise Yudhisthir on Dharma.

Bhishma says,

'Krishna, You are Dharma,

Why do you ask me to do this?

You can do it by yourself'

(Throughout the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna addresses Bhishma as 'Grandfather!)

Krishna replies.

'Dharma , when spoken by The One who has practiced, is strengthened"

This, mind you, from Krishna!

Let me paraphrase one essential sloka form Bhishma Stuti, Bhishma's prayer of Krishna as addressed to Duryodhana -Bhishma Parva 67/24)

'Vasudeva is is the Devata among all the Devatas.

He is the Embodiment of Dharma.

He fulfills everyone's desires.

He id the best among everyone.

He is the Creator.

He is the Action and its performer.

He is the Yagya, Yagya Performer and its results.

He is Lord unto Himself.

He is in the present, past and the Future.

He created Prajapathi(Fater of all).

He is the austerity of the Seers.

He is the Dawn, Dusk , the time when day Day meets Night and night meets the Day, Day and Night.

He is the Infinite.

He is also Finite.

He supports the World,Vishnu.

He is Brahman Rudra,

He is the Sadguna Brahman.

He is the Father.He is the parent of all.

He is Vamana and Narasimha.

He is the Grand sire of the Universe.

He is easily accessible.

He resides in the heart of the Seers, Hrishikesa.

In whom Krishna is pleased,he will get everything.

If one is afraid and takes refuge in Him, he need not Fear.

One who loves Krishna, will transcend desires.

The Bhishma Stuti.

Names List of Ancient Indian Kingdoms Landmass

The Vishnu Purana, where the Evolution of the Universe is described, also describes a Number Kingdoms, there were fifty-six .

The other Seventeen Puranas also do for this for the description of the Universe and the Bharatavarsha is one of the Rules for being classified as a Purana.

There is also a tradition that there were fifty-six Kingdoms in India, this is explained in the Mahabharata, where the Story of Nala and Damayanti are narrated.

It provides a list of fifty-six kings who attended the Swayamvara of Damayanti.

The Ramayana also lists more or less the same number in the Ramayana for the Swayamvara of Sita.

Tamil Classical Literature also mentions fifty-six Kingdoms.

Now I came across information that the number of Kingdoms are not fifty-six but seventy-six,

One may note from the Sankalpa or Resolution a Hindu chants for a function includes the Line.

Jambo Dweepe.,Bharata Varshe, Bharatakkande'

'KANDA ' Means Continent.

As Kanda has already been mentioned, Varsha must be larger than this but smaller than Jambudweep.

There is a view that Jambudvipa means 'beginning from Kashmir'

The Term Jamboo means a Tree bearing a Fruit of the same name, a type of Blackberry.

I do not see any connection between this Blackberry and Kashmir..

As the text goes on to describe the geographical locations, it must be indicative of a Large Mass of Earth,smaller than a Planet, bigger than a continent.

Again the Ancients Texts mention 'Milechas' indicating people beyond the Bhartakanda, but not approved by the Bharatvarsha and are declared to be unfit to be called as decent as Human Beings.

Some subscribe to the view that the term Milecha means the early European tribes, including the Americans.

I do not think so.

Texts also mention about these tribes as Nomads differentiating them from those who are unfit.

So the Jambudweep must mean(Dweepa means Continent) ,a large Island Continent, possibly Atlantis.

Lemuria has been included in the Dravidian land Mass.

Now I have information from a site that lists 76 Kingdoms.

More information is welcome.