The Puranic Origins Of Dhundi Ganapathi & 56 other Vinayakas.

Locations of each of the 56 Vinayakas centered around the shrine of the original Vishvanatha Temple

Among all the various manifestations of Ganapathi, Dhundi Ganapathi has a special significance. His origins are mentioned in the Kashi Khanda of the Skandapuranam. Also known as Dhundiraja, he has a prime position at the center of Kashi. Along with Dhundi Ganapathi there were 56 other forms of Vinayaka at Kashi. These Vinayakas were situated at the 8 directional points in 7 concentric circles centering around Dhundi Ganapathi near the original Kashi Vishwanatha Temple.

The 1st concentric circle used to have 8 different forms of Vinayakas

1) Arka 

2) Durga 

3) Bhimachandha 

4) Dehali 

5) Uddhanda 

6) Pashapani 

7) Kharva 

8) Siddhi Vinayaka

Vinayakas in the 2nd concentric circle

1) Lambodara 

2 )Kutadanta 

3) Saalakatantaka 

4) Kusmandha 

5) Mundha Vinayaka 

6) Vikatadvija 

7) Rajaputra

8) Pranava

Vinayakas in the 3rd concentric circle

1) Vakratunda

 2) Ekadanta 

3) Trimukha 

4) Pancasya 

5) Herambha 

6) Vighnaraja 

7) Varada 

8) Modakapriya

Vinayakas in the 4th concentric circle

1) Abhayada 

2) Simhatunda 

3) Kunitaksha 

4) Kshipraprasadana 

5) Chintamani 

6) Dantahasta 

7) Picandhila 

8) Uddandhamundha

Vinayakas in the 5th concentric circle 

1) Sthuladanta 

2) Kalipriya 

3) Caturdanta 

4) Dvitundha 

5) Jyestha 

6) Gajavinayaka 

7) Kalavinayaka 

8) Nagesha

Vinayakas in the 6th concentric circle

1) Manikarna 

2) Asavinayaka 

3) Sristiganesha 

4) Yaksavighnesha 

5) Gajakarna 

6) Citraghanta 

7) Sthulajangha 

8) Mitravinayaka

Vinayakas in the 7th & final circle 

1) Vinayakas 1-5 are mentioned as Moda and others in the Shlokas 

6) Jnanavinayaka 

7) Dvaravighnesha 

8) Avimuktavinayaka

Unfortunately none of these Vinayakas exist as of today in their original Puranika forms as a result of successive waves of barbaric islamic invasions & Temple destruction. Below is a graphical representation of all the above Vinayakas & their respective locations. At the center is original Temple of Vishvanatha.This was mapped out by Prof Rana P.B. Singh of the Benaras Hindu University.

Locations of the 56 Vinayakas. At the center is the original Linga of Kashi Vishvanath

Shlokas from the Kashi Khanda of the Skandapurana 

The story behind the arrival of Vinayaka at Kashi is explained by Skanda to Agastya maha muni. On the instructions of Shiva; Ganesha arrives at Kashi from the Mandara mountain.

Vinayaka's arrival was shortly followed by the arrival of Shiva himself. Accompanying him were Parvathi, Nandi, Bhringhi. Along with Maha Vishnu, Lakshmi, Brahma, Vishvakarma & others. In this Adhyaya, Shiva eulogizes Dhundi Vinayaka. Shiva explains the meaning of "Dhundhi" in the following Shloka. "The root Dhundh is well known to mean “to search for”. Your name Dhundhi is due to the fact that you search for everything that your devotees require and bestow on them"

Shiva says in the below Shloka that those who come to Kashi should have a darshana of Dhundi Vinayaka 1st followed by Vishveshwara. All obstacles of those who bow down to Dhundi everyday will be removed. Devotee should propitiate Dhundi by means of huge quantities of modaka, dhoopa, deepa.

Following this, Shiva explains the significance of each one of the 56 Vinayakas & their respective locations around Kashi.Arkavinayaka is situated at the confluence of Ganga and Asi. If he is visited on Sundays by people, he will subdue all distresses.

Durga Ganapathi is the destroyer of all wretchedness. 

Bhimacandavinayaka removes all fear. 

Dehalivinayaka & Uddandha Ganapathi removes all obstacles. 

Kharvavinayaka will subdue and shorten even huge obstacles.

Siddhivinayaka is a prompt bestower of powers on a Sadhaka.

Lambodara washes off all the mud of obstacles. 

Kuthadanta is the annihilator of difficulties and calamities. 

Kusmandha by the devotees for the suppression of great mishaps and calamities. 

Mundhavinayaka is called by that name because his body is stationed in Patala.

Those who worship Vikatadvija shall obtain the favour of the Ganas. 

A king who has lost his kingdom will win back his kingdom by worshiping Rajaputra Vinayaka. 

Those who bow down to Pranava Vinayaka will attain Swarga.

Vakratunda, the remover of mass of sins. Ekadantaka protects from calamities. 

Trimukha is the remover of the fear of people of Kashi. 

Pancasya rides a chariot drawn by lions.

He is the protector of Kashi. Heramba fulfills all the desires of the people of Kashi.

Vighnaraja Vinayaka is the destroyer of all obstacles. 

Varada Vinayaka is to be worshiped for those seeking to be bestowed with boons. 

Modakapriya Vinayaka, Shiva says is worthy of being adored.

Sthuladanta bestows enormous siddhis.

Kalipriya punishes those who harass his devotees.

Caturdanta removes all kinds of obstracles.

Dvitundha bestows glory & splendour.

Jyestha Vinayaka is the eldest among all Vinayakas, visiting him will result in acquisition of excellence.

Devotee is honoured in Nagaloka by visiting Nagesha. 

The Ganapati named Manikarna is the destroyer of obstacles. 

Ashavinayaka fullfills hopes & desires. 

Srsthiganesha is the indicator of creation & annihilation. 

Yaksha Vighnesha is the destroyer of all obstacles.

Gajakarna is the cause of welfare to all. 

Sthulajangha subdues the sins of those who control their minds. 

Modavinayaka, Jnanavinayaka, Dvaravighnesha, Avimukta Vinayaka all remove distress of those with humble minds.

Skanda concludes by saying to Agastya muni that by repeating these 56 names of Dhundhiraja, a man shall get whatever he desires.

REFERENCE

Skandapurana by Nag Publishers

Medical education in ancient India

A brief post on medical education in ancient India. Ancient Hindu doctors were regarded as among the best in the world. They were experts in performing various advanced medical procedures including cataract surgery.

1)Aspiring candidates were eligible to enroll as medical students. 

2)A Special Upanayana(initiation) ceremony was conducted for students seeking admission to medical courses. 

3)The student was expected to be proficient in Sanskrit. 

4) Rote learning was discouraged. This is said by the great Sushruta himself. 

5) Different medical specialization courses were offered. 

6) Emphasis was laid on practical training in surgery & pharmacy.

7) Beginner students were taught how to hold medical instruments by teachers. They practiced dissection procedures first on pumpkins, cucumbers followed by dead animals. 

8) Students were also taught suturing techniques.

9) Emphasis was put on training the students in dissection. Advanced students practiced it on dead bodies. 

10) Students were required to have a throughout knowledge of the human anatomy. 

11) The quality of medical education imparted in Bharat was the highest for that era.

12) Large medical colleges (Arogyavihara) existed in cities like Pataliputra (present day Patna) where some of the students received training in advanced medical techniques. 

13) Hindu doctors were renowned for their proficiency. Arabs invited Hindu doctors to arab peninsula to teach & supervise.

14) The following is an extract from the Charakasamhitha Vimanasthana. It was an oath initiated to students on completion of their course. Very similar to the hippocratic oath administered to practitioners of modern medicine.

Some of the important points mentioned in the above oath.

a)Everyday you should continuously & wholeheartedly try to promote the health of your patients.

b)Even if your own life is in danger you should not desert your patients. 

c)Your speech should be smooth, polished, truthful & to the point. 

d)You must treat as strictly confidential all information about the patient & their family.

e)You should make a deliberate endeavor to increase the stock of your knowledge & instruments. 

f)Where there is a danger of the patient or any of his relatives receiving a shock, you should not divulge the impending death of the patient, even when you are aware of it.

g)Though well grounded in your line, you much not praise your knowledge much. One can never get a mastery of the entire medical science.
h) A wise physician should listen to & derive benefit from the discoveries & observations of even an enemy.

Ancient Hindu doctors were regarded as among the best in the world. They were experts in performing various advanced medical procedures including cataract surgery. Hindu doctors trained & imparted medical knowledge to lesser evolved societies like the arabs.

REFERENCE

Education in Ancient India by AS Altekar

Padartha dharma sangraha of Prashastapada : The Ancient Hindu knowledge on the fundamental nature of Space, Time & Matter.

The Padartha dharma sangraha of Prashastapada is one of the most important works on Physics to emerge out of ancient Bharat. The text greatly deals with the nature of matter, recognizing its atomic character & the role of atoms.

Prashastapada was an ancient Hindu philosopher who lived during the classical age of the Guptas. He wrote the Padartha dharma sangraha, which is basically a commentary on Vaisheshika Sutras of Rishi Kanada (who was the first person to propound the atomic nature of matter)

The concepts discussed in the text include those which came to be later classified as classical/newtonian mechanics. Prashastapada talks about concepts like Vega (momentum), Sanyoga vibhaga (displacement), Digvishista Karyarambhakatva (Vectors), Gamana (curvilinear motion)

Bhramana (rotary motion), Spandana (vibratory motion) among many other concepts. The concept of Vega(momentum) which forms the basis of Newton's 2nd law of motion (F=m.a) was explained by Prashastapada centuries before Newton was born.

The text talks in great detail about fluid mechanics. Concepts like Saandrataa (Viscosity), Abhisarpana (Capillary motion), fluid motion are explained in great detail here. Among the different types of motion explained by Prashastapada. This was 1000 years before Galileo & Newton.

Prasastapada also explains to us the nature of sound & its mode of propagation. He says sound travels through the medium of air in the form of circular waves.

Prasastapada was aware of the nature of atoms & their perpetual state of motion which he classified into different types including rotatory, circular & simple harmonic motion.

A small extract from the Padarthadharma sangraha, where Prashastapada first pays obeisance to Ishvara & Rishi Kanada before commencing his work.

REFERENCE

The Cultural Heritage of India Volume VI by Ramakrishna Mission

Structural elements of a Pallava monolithic rock cut Ratha type Temple

Valayankuttai Ratha

This partially completed monolithic Pallava rock cut temple from Mahabalipuram presents a very good visual representation of how ancient Sthapatis (Architects) went about carving out material from a monolithic rock. Valayankuttai Ratha was being built during the reign of Pallava emperor Parameshvaravarman I who reigned during the years 670-695 CE.

Arjuna Ratha

If the Sthapatis had managed to complete the Valayankuttai Ratha, it would have looked similar to the Arjuna Ratha above. The Arjuna Ratha is from the Pancha Ratha Temple complex, an UNESCO world heritage monument. The Upapeetha(base) & Adisthana(plinth) remained incomplete in the Valayankuttai Ratha.

Upapeetha (Base)

This is also a good opportunity to understand the different elements that make up a Ratha type temple. It basically comprises of 6 major parts or Angas as it is called in the Shilpashastra. Lets have a look with the above example. Bottom most part is the Upapeetha, the sub base.

Adisthana (Plinth)

On top of the Upapeetha, we have the Adisthana. Usually these two elements are referred to as a single element. The rest of the Temple structure rests on this element. Sometimes the the Adisthana is intricately carved with a variety of ornate carvings. Usually Simhas (lions) & Ashvas (horses). The Adisthana itself is further divided in a series of sub parts Kandhara, mahapatti, jagati, kumuda, kampa, kapota, pratimuka, vaajana etc. But we'll have a look at only the basic 6 elements for now.

Paada (Wall)

This part is the Paada (walls). The paada also contain a number of Sthambas (pillars). The recess where carvings are made is called the Koshtha. In the case of the Arjuna Ratha there are 5 carvings On either side is a Pratihara (Guard). In centre we have Skanda seated on elephant.

Prasthara (Entablature)

Then comes the Prasthara or what in english we call as entablature. It is basically a horizontal beam which seperates the Paada(wall) from the upper structure. Prasthara too has a number of elements like Kapota, Uttira, Vyalavari etc. All these elements are intricately decorated.

Haara (Parapet)

This element is the Haara, the Parapet. The Ratha/Vimana type Temple can have a number of storeys. The Arjuna ratha is an example of a simple two storeyed Temple (Dvi-Tala). A ratha type Temple can have as high as 16 storeys. Each one of them is called jaati Vimana.

Griva (neck)

Shikhara (Spire)

Finally we have the Shikhara which is the spire. On top of it we usually have a Sthupi or Kalasha(which is not visible here). These are few elements of a Vimana type temple.

Dharmaraja Ratha

Dharmaraja ratha is the tallest among Pancharatha temples. It is a tri-tala (3 storeyed) Vimana type Temple. Each one of the storeys are functional. Despite its grand look, it is actually an unfinished temple. We can only imagine how much more grander finished one would have been.

REFERENCE

Encyclopedia of Hindu Temple Architecture by MA Dhaky

The Significance of Naraka Chaturdashi and its description in the Brahma Purana

Shri Krishna & Garuda

The Brahma Purana describes in vivid detail the slaying of Narakasura by Shri Krishna. The whole event is described by Veda Vyasa. The below Shlokas mentions the arrival of Indra at Dwaraka to meet Shri Krishna & describe to him the atrocities committed by Narakasura.

Indra identifies Naraka, the son of Bhumi as the king of Pragjyotisha who harasses and destroys all living beings. Indra says to Krishna that after killing many devas, siddhas & rajas; Naraka imprisoned their daughters in his palace.

Indra complains to Krishna on how Naraka took away by force the famed umbrella of Pracetas, on how he removed Maniparvata, peak of Mandara & took away by force the earrings of Indra's mother Aditi. Indra then implores Shri Krishna to take action against Naraka.

Indra implores Krishna to take action against Naraksura

Krishna assures Indra that he'll take action. Along with with Sathyabhama on his side, Krishna mounts the Garuda & flys towards Pragjyotisha, the capital of Narakasura. The last verse describes Naraka's capital as a terrible place full of nooses everywhere

Krishna flys into Naraksura's capital, Pragjyotisha

Krishna proceeds to use the Sudarshana Chakra to cut off all those nooses. In the process he also slays asura Mura & his 7000 sons.

Krishna slays asura Mura

The below shlokas describe the slaying of Narakasura. In the battle Krishna kills a 1000 asuras. Wielding the Sudarshana Chakra, Krishna splits Narakasura into two halves & kills him.

Krishna kills Narakasura with the Sudarshana Chakra

After Naraka's killing, Bhumidevi approaches Shri Krishna with Aditi's earrings.After retrieving Aditi's earrings, Shri Krishna proceeds to liberate 16,100 girls taken as prisoners by Narakasura. Along with the girls, Krishna also frees 6000 elephants, a mighty number of Kambhoja horses. Krishna immediately has them all transported back to Dwaraka.

Bhudevi hands over Aditi's earrings to Krishna

Krishna also retrieves the umbrella of Varuna & the mountain of Maniparvata. He along with Sathyabhama mount the Garuda & fly towards Swarga to restore the earrings to Aditi. This concludes the story of slaying of Narakasura. This is the significance of Naraka Chaturdasi.

Krishna & Satyabhama fly back from Pragjyotisha

Reference

Brahmapurana Volume II Gurumandal series

Images from Google