Spotted this news on NDTV. The interesting part is that mourners cheered the “resurrection” of the person. The whole story can be read at http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/dead-man-wakes-up-at-his-own-funeral-210504?pfrom=home-otherstories
Indian or hindu mythology talk about interesting stories of births as well. We find instances where great characters came to earth in different way. One common way is that eating dessert or fruit results in birth of a child.
We find this once in the period of The Ramayana and once in the period of Mahabharata.
Dashrath, the king of Ayodhya, has three queens but he was deprived of children. He resorted to penance and after a dedicated worship and havana, messenger of Brahma offered him divine dessert, which was supposed to give sons to Dasharatha. He distributed the dessert to his queens and they soon became pregnant and later became the proud mothers of Ram, Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughan. This is how, one of the dashavatars of Vishnu, Rama was born.
Dashrath performing yagna and receiving prasad from Agni god
Jarasandha was the king of Magadha. Jarasandh’s father has done severe penance to get a son. His father got a Magical mango from a sage. It was told that the his queen will get pregnant upon eating the fruit. He distributed the fruit in two halves and gave each half to his two wives. Both delivered a half of a baby , born dead.The king ordered the two halves to be thrown. A demon called Jara was wandering nearby and she noticed the pieces and joined them into one. The baby came alive. It was named as Jarasandh in the honour of the rakshasi. The boy became a very strong man. He defeated and captured 86 kings and kept them prisoner, intending to execute all of them in a sacrifice, once the number reached hundred. This will make him invincible and the ruler of world. For the success of Rajasooya yagya, Krishna, Arjuna and Bheema, went to him disguised as Brahmins and asked him to choose one of them to fight him. He rejected Shri Krishna saying that he was of inferior birth. He also denied Arjuna for a fight because he thought he was a child. He chose Bheema as he appeared suitable for a fight. The fight lasted a long time, thirteen days. Finally, acting upon Krishna’s advise, Bheema tore Jarasandha into two pieces, and tossed the pieces (cut lengthwise) facing opposite directions. This is how Jarasandha was killed in the same way he was born. Thus, as a result of killing of ruler of Magadh, Jarasandh, the path of
Rajsooya yagya was cleared. Yudhishthira later completed the Rajsooya yagya. This story is from the times of Mahabharata.
Drona was born in a vessel. Sage Bhardwaj produced reproductive fluid after seeing an apsara Ghritachi. He preserved this is a vessel (droon). Drona was thus developed from this fluid. Drona would later boast that he had sprung from Bharadwaja without ever having been in a womb. Even Drona’s wife, Kripi, was gestated outside a womb. Kripi and her brother Kripacharya were the children of the great archer, Shardwan. Indra felt threatened by him and sent an apsara to lose his control over his brahmacharya, thus saving his throne. This story is again from the times of Mahabharata.
Drona and Dhrishtdyumna – Mahabharat
Few people know that Kauravas birth was unnatural as well. Gandhari longed for hundred sons, and Vyasa granted her a boon that she would have these. She was unable to have any children for a long time and she eventually became pregnant, but did not deliver for two years, after which she gave birth to a lump of flesh. Vyasa cut this lump into a
hundred and one pieces, and these eventually developed into a hundred boys and one girl, Dushala.
Gandhari and Kauravas – birth – Mahabharat – Indian Mythology
Kunti was the mother of first three pandavas. When she was young, the sage Durvasa told her a mantra with which Kunti could summon any deva and have a child by him. When Kunti asked why he gave her this mantra, he told her that it would be useful to her later in life. Kunti, out of curiosity tried the mantra before her marriage and became the mother of Karna. She had to let her son go and he was brought up by Adhirath.
Birth of Karna and Kunti letting him go away
Later, after marriage, she bore three more sons and shared the mantra with Madri, who became the mother of Nakula and Sahdev.
Pandavas and Draupadi
Folk art is any form of art which is local to a particular geography, and may have slowly gained the stature of importance. A folk art is not limited to any particular discipline. for example, music, painting and even sports can take the form of a folk art.
Weaving, jewellery making, are some forms of folk art which have gained credence. Sometimes, these folk art become so important that they are sought all over the world. An example of these is Madhubani paintings. This form of art has started from a small place in Bihar, India. Madhubani paintings are sought after around the world. Another form of folk art is miniature paintings. Art galleries over the world keep famous folk arts as well.
Decorative artistic things are used for home decorative ideas. Madhubani paintings, miniature paintings, wood handicrafts are few forms of folk art, which are used extensively.
Chinese art
There are different Chinese art forms, but the two most important Chinese art forms are Chinese paper cutting and Chinese paper folding. These art forms date back to han dynasty. Similarly kite is also given by China and noted as an important contribution to Europe. Kite flying is also a tradition in India. Here on independence day, kites are flown all over the country. Puppetry is also widely used chinese art, a form of folk art.
Indian Art
Indian Paintings have always been famous for creativity and imagination. Warli Paintings are the ancient Indian folk art tradition of Warli Tribe in Maharashtra. Walri or Varli tribe is an ancient East Indian Tribe of India. These tribes are the scheduled Tribes of India. Warli is a small tribe inhabiting in the remote regions of Maharashtra. The style is some what similar to the pre historic cave paintings. These paintings are exquisite. This art was first discovered in early seventies of the last century. Since then the art has traveled across borders and has now become a famous art found on various home décor products.
Indian folk art by Warli tribe of Maharashtra
Miniature painting is another form of folk art which was made famous during the period of Mughals. The style gradually spread in the next two centuries to influence painting on paper in both Muslim and Hindu princely courts, developing into a number of regional styles often called “sub-Mughal”, including Kangra painting and Rajput painting, and finally Company painting, a hybrid watercolour style influenced by European art and largely patronized by the people of the British raj.
Miniature painitng – Folk Art – Shri Krishna
Japanese Folk Art
Etegami, a form of Japanese folk art consisting of simple hand-painted drawings. This has become popular from 1970s. These are done on small canvas, such as postcards, so that, it becomes easy to mail them. The basic concept has been around for a long time; the tradition of handmade New Years cards testifies to this. Today, etegami is very popular folk art.
Etegami – A form of Folk art (Japanese)
It was indeed tough for Dhritrashtra and Gandhari to name their hundred sons. Beside this, they had a daughter as well. Following are the names of them.
One wonders that what kind of gurudakshina Arjuna offered to his teacher, Drona. Drona gone to great lengths to ensure that Arjuna becomes the best archer in the world. We find only one story, and that too was a gurudakhina by all pandavas, when the captured Drupad, once a close friend of Drona. Drona returned his half kingdom and kept half for himself. Probably, the gurudakshina was to fight his teacher in the battle of Mahabharat. Arjuna, after Shri Krishna’s advise, fought with his Guru, Drona alongwith Bhishma and others.
Going back to the question, why was Arjuna so blessed that everyone worked for his cause. We know for sure that Karna was better, but we also know that, he was on the wrong side. But what was the problem with Ekalvya? We don’t know of any wrongdoing done by him, yet Drona, his “teacher”, wanted his thumb.
But why thumb, he could have asked straightaway that Ekalavya should leave archery. Why the poor soul has to loose a limb? Why was Drona so cruel to him? We will never get an answer to this, but one thing is certain, Indian culture may be famous for the pupils showing respect for their teacher, but here we find that teacher has not set a good example.
Ekalavya practicing archery with the idol of Drona in Mahabharat
There is not enough information that what gurudakshina Bheeshma has given to his teachers, Parshuram and Brihaspati, but his character is such that he would not have missed this.
In another incident involving teacher and pupil, Shri Krishna has asked Barbarik to give his head as gurudakshina, which he promptly obliged. He had three arrows, who had the power to defeat anyone in the world. Before decapitating himself, Barbarik told Krishna of his great desire to view the forthcoming battle and requested him to facilitate the same.
Krishna agreed and placed the head on top of a hill overlooking the battlefield. From the hill, the head of Barbarika watched the entire battle. Barbarik is also known as khatushyam jee. Barbarik is one of the three persons who has watched Shri Krishna in his virat avatar. Others are Sanjay and Arjuna.
Barbarika giving his head in Gurudakshina to Shri Krishna in Mahabharat
Shri Krishna was fortunate, as he had the powers to bring back his teacher, Sage Sandipani’s son. Imagine, if he was asked for his finger, then who would have wielded the Sudarshan chakra?
This is how the Master reached his hundredth 100.
The One run which made whole india wait
In Indian mythology, especially in times of Mahabharat and The Ramayana, we find many interesting stories related to boons. These boons were awarded by gods and sages to their devotees. The devotees performed penance so that they can be granted boons. Following are the narratives of some of the famous boons.
The boon (or curse) of Ashwaththama
It is believed that Ashwaththama had a boon from his father Drona, that he would not die. Another account say that he was cursed by Shri Krishna to live in seclusion till the end of Kalyuga. This is because he targeted Parikshit in an attempt to render the Pandavas heirless.
In Mahabharat war, Ashwaththama using the powerful weeapon – Brahmashira
The boon of Bhishma
Bhishma had a similar boon to choose his own death. His father Shantanu bestowed this boon to him after he declared that he will never marry, so that Satyavati’s sons can become the ruler of the kingdom. Before that, he also forgone the throne, which was rightfully his.
Bhishma taking oath for being unmarried – Bhishma Pratigya
The boon (or curse) of Kumbhakarna
Kumbhakarna pleased Brahma and intended to ask the throne of Indra as a boon. But Indra asked Saraswati to help him. So instead of asking “Indraasana” (seat of Indra), he asked for “Nidraasana” (bed for sleeping). It is also said he intended to ask for Nirdevatvam (annihilation of the Devas), and instead asked for Nidravatvam (sleep). His request was granted. But his brother Ravana asked Brahma to undo this boon as it was in reality a curse. So Kumbhakarna slept, and was awake for six months, when he ate everything in the vicinity, including humans.
Boon of fragrance to Satyavati by Parashar
Satyavati, the mother of author of Mahabharat, Ved Vyasa smelled like a fish. Sage Parashar saw her once and got smitten by her beauty and proposed her. Satyavati put forth couple of conditions, one of them was that she should get rid of the smell from her body. Parashar told her that this would be fulfilled and instead of the smell, a fragrance will emanate from her body which can be sensed miles away.
Vyasa boon to Gandhari for hundred sons.
Ved vyasa has told Gandhari that she would be a mother of hundred sons. These sons were born from a lump of mass which gandhari gave birth to after pregnancy of two years. Ved Vyasa cut them into pieces and put them into jars. With time they came out as sons of gandhari thus making his boon true.
Gandhari mourning the death of her son – Mahabharat
The boon of Vali
Vali was famous for the boon from lord Shiva, according to which anyone who came before him lost half his strength to Vali, thereby making Vali invulnerable to any enemy. Once Ravana called Vali for a fight when Vali was doing his regular Sandhyavandanam. He took Ravana in his tail and took him around all the world. He was killed by Rama, when Sugriva was fighting with him.
Battle between Vali and Sugriva – Rama about to kill Vali
The boon of Jayadratha
Jayadratha had been enslaved by the Pandavas as a punishment for trying to kidnap Draupadi. Enraged, Jayadratha had performed penances to please Lord Shiva who granted him the boon that he would be able to overpower all the Pandavas except Arjuna on one day in battle. Abhimanyu entered the Chakravyuha and the Pandavas tried to follow him but Jayadratha single handedly held them all back and Abhimanyu, unaided, was killed in the Chakravyuha.
The boon of Bhasmasur
Bhasmasur obtained a boon from Lord Shiva that anything will turn into ashes, if he put his hand. He tried to test his boon on Lord Shiva only. Lord Vishnu came to his rescue and saved Lord Shiva from Bhasmasur.
Link to Recommended Reading
This article is not to predict whether Sachin will get his hundredth ton or not, rather this article is about the similar instances and landmarks of sport persons, which have been hard to come by.
By this time, this is irrelevant to talk about the capability of the prodigy called Sachin Tendulkar,because he had made enough runs in both forms of cricket, which will require some effort to supersede individually, forget about any person reaching the milestones in both forms of this game.
Sachin Tendulkar – playing upper cut
This does not make him superhuman though, as we see in following cases, athletes struggling at the proverbial “last hurdle”.
Kapil Dev, the charismatic all rounder, who led India to their first world cup victory, was seen struggling in his last stages of career, when trying to upstage Sir Richard Hadlee. Azharuddin did not get to play his 100th test, because for the reasons not related to cricket. Saurabh Ganguly struggled for a place in the eleven at the fag end of his career.
Perhaps, the exception has been Anil Kumble, who became more skilful at the twillight of his career, but one person stands out of this, who is Sunil Gavaskar who is truly an exception to these. He said good bye to cricket in prime form.
Another is Imran Khan, who inspired a not so good team to a world cup win. Similarly we saw Ivan Lendl never winning a Wimbledon despite being at top for long, we are witnessing Rafael Nadal showing signs of fatigue at a very young age, which makes Roger Federer look good.
Well, the question is , even if he does not get it, would Sachin, the phenomenon Tendulkar’s achievements will become less great? I doubt, after all, Sir Don Bradman did not get those four runs. Sir Jack Hobbs struggled a lot to equal W G Grace’s record, and was “helped” by opposing team when he actually broke the record.
But guess, who will be remembered along with Tendulkar, if does not get it at all. The answer is, Ravi Rampaul.
First published on 04 March, 2012, Sachin made his 100th ton on Mar, 16, announced retirement from ODI before the team selection with Pak Series on 23 Dec, 2012.
You may wonder why a blog on indian mythology would have this kind of article. Well, you are right but the temptation is too much for me. Forgive me for thinking that a person who likes mahabharat will also like hindi movies and following post will become interesting for him as well. If you are still with me, then I have struck a note with you. Happy reading!!!
Kitne aadmi the
A still from Sholay
There are few dialogues, which always ring some bells, but there ones, who have defined a whole career of an actor and Gabbar Singh has been defined by the lines “Kitne aadmi the?”. This dialogue from a movie released almost 35 years ago, still fresh in memories. Another famous dialouges from the same film are “Tera kya hoga Kaalia” and “Bahut yaarana lagta hai”.
Lets go through some more of them to see if they evoke some memories? “Mogambo khush hua” . This should be easy. The movie was first in india made on science fiction and first hit by Anil Kapoor. Shekhar Kapoor directed this landmark film. Following lines will not so easy to guess, but the author likes them so mentioning here. They may prove to be difficult to guess.
Mughal e Azam by K Asif – Hindi Movies
Yeh dhandha hai to beimaani ka, lekin hum karte imaandari ke saath hain.
This dialogue was said by Nana Patekar in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s movie.
Jahe naseeb, kaanton ko murjhaane ka khauf nahi hota.
Above is an old classic from hindi movies which had actors Madhubala and Dilip Kumar.
Dong kabhi wrong nahin hota.
Amrish Puri said above words.
Parina – Hindi movies
Topi sambhalo Dinkarrao, hawa tej chalta hai.
Agle hafte ek aur majdoor hafta dene se inkaar karne waala hai, Rahim chacha!
Above two films have acquired cult status in hindi movies. Following lines have been taken from a Amitabh Bachchan classic whose remake has been made recently.
Aaj 6 baje apun ka maut ke saath appointment hai.
Jab dushman apni chaal kahatam kar le, tab main apni chaal shuru karta hoon.
Amitabh Bachchan in Hindi movies – Agneepath
Following dialogues from Hindi movies should be again easy to identify with.
Yeh Dhai kilo ka haath jab padta hai to aadmi uthta nahin, uth jaata hai.
Don ka peecha to gyarah mulkon ki police kar rahi hai………..
Holi kab hai. Again by Amjad Khan.
Yeh haath nahin , phaansi ka phanda hain?
Shakaal kya nahi kar sakta.
Pistol jail mein aa chuka hai.
Above lines are taken from Sholay, Shaan and Damini.
Following are recent favourites:
Thappad se dar nahin lagta babujee, pyar se lagta hai. and I like the following as well:
Mujh par ek ehsaan karna, ki mujh pe koi ehsaan na karna.
Hindi movies have given us few unforgettable lines over the years and fans definitely identify with these. I forgot one another which is hilarious as well.
“Tumhara naam kya hai Basanti?”
Gabbar Singh with Kaalia
But perhaps the most defining and effective dialogue was told in the hindi movie, Deewar.
“Mere paas Maa hai”
Deewar – Amitabh and Shashi’s landmark film
This article is one of the most read articles of this blog. Overwhelmed, the author is adding few more golden nuggets. I have deliberately not mentioned the name of the movie, may be you can exercise your memory.
1. Mogambo Khush hua
2. Dong kabhi wrong nahi hota.
3. Jani ye chaku hai, lag jaaye to khoon nikal jaata hai.
4. Hamare desh mein kaam dhoondna bhi ek kaam hai
Mere baap ne do shadiyan ki hai, do … ek meri maa ke saath … aur ek apni naukri ke saath
5 Nasik ho yah Bambai … ladkiyan ladkiyan hoti hai, patane ka tarika aana chahiye … pyar kiya nahin jaata, karvaya jaata hai
6 Agar main tere liye mar sakta hoon, toh tujhe maar bhi sakta hoon
7 Yeh tum janti ho ki yeh revolver khali hai … main janta hoon ki yeh revolver khali hai … lekin police nahin janti ki yeh revolver khali hai
8 Giraftaar hone ki aadat mujhe bilkul nahi hai
9 Mujhe do tarah ki ladkiyan pasand nahi aati … ek woh joh mere pass aane mein bahut derr lagaye … aur ek woh joh bahut jaldi aa jaye
Karna is known for his helping nature and he never turned anyone back when someone asked for anything from him. Following are the incidents which reflect upon this virtue of him and fittingly, he is also known as Danveer Karna.
He was born with Kavach and Kundal and thus was impregnable. There was no way he could be parted with these things. Before the war of Mahabharata, Indra thought of a way to do that. Indra was the father of Arjuna. He knew that eventually, there would be a battle between Arjuna and Karna. He could not be defeated with Kavach and Kundal on. So Indra disguised himself as a Brahmin and asked for Kavach and Kundal as alms. Though he was forwarned by Surya. Still, he happily gave away the things which was asked of him. In return, Indra gave him the “ekaghni”, which has the power to kill anyone.
Karna born with Kavach and Kundal
He eventually had to use this weapon on Ghatotkacha. Ghatotkahca, the son of Bhima, was proving too much for Kauravas. Shri Krishna summoned him to fight the Mahabharata war. Thus, we can see that Arjuna’s safety was ensured by Indra and Shri Krishna while the eldest son of Kunti was fighting this all alone. In way, this virtue of Danveer proved to be his undoing.
Karna with Kavach and Kundal – Mahabharat story
While he was dying, Lord Indra and Lord Surya had a fight that whether he was the real Danveer at all. They went to him and asked for alms. Karna said that I am dying and do not have anything to give this to you. Indra and Surya have mentioned that he has teeth of gold. Hearing this, he promptly took out the gold and given to the Brahmins.
Perhaps this will not be realized in first hand, but Kunti was given four sons as a Dan by Danveer Karna. Karna promised Kunti that she will have five sons, as after the mahabharat war, either him or Arjuna will be alive. This promise was observed by him as he had a chance to kill four pandavas but he let them go. He was indeed a real Danveer!!!
