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Author's Note: Please visit - The 'Real' Ramayana/ Ram-Rajya - to read the other parts of this series, so as to be able to fully understand or grasp the contents of this one.
Thoughts on: the colour green (Hari-Hara/Prakriti); Lohith or Rohitah; Neelamber, Neelesh, 'dark' (Ghanshyam) and the peacock allegory; Shri Krishna and some verses from the Srimad Bhagavad Geeta. Notes on: dark blue (Shyam); vigjnana; Kara-puṣkara or lotus-palm; Samudra manthanam, Sagar manthan, Kshirsagar manthan and Halahala; Brahma's Days (Kalpas); Brahma's Years; Brahma's Life span; Maha Yugas and Manvantaras; Overview of the Yugas, our position as of 2008 A.D. and the beginning of the current Kali Yug. *Continuing* with our *discussions* on the "Ardhanarishvara".
The Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 5, Text 18:
|| vidya-vinaya-sampanne
brahmane gavi hastini
suni caiva sva-pake ca
panditah sama-darsinah ||
Meaning:
Vidya: true knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment; vinaya: humility; sampanne: bestowed with, blessed with; brahmane: in the Brahmana/ the Supreme Being (Parameshwar) or the Supreme Spirit (Paramaatma); gavi: in the cow; hastini: in the female elephant; suni: in the dog; ca: and; eva:certainly; sva-pake: in the dog-eater (Mlechcha); ca:respectively; panditah: a truly enlightened or wise person; sama-darsinah:do see with equal vision, consider as equal, does not differentiate.
Translation:
One who is blessed with wisdom and humility (i.e. one who is truly wise, enlightened) see the divine - the Brhamana (variously known as: the Cosmic Energy, the Supreme Being - Parameshwar, the Supreme Spirit - Paramaatma, the Ultimate Being, the Ultimate Knowledge or the Ultimate Reality) - in the cow, in the female elephant, in the dog... as well as in the dog-eater (Mlechcha). The wise one sees all beings as equal.
[Note:"the dog-eater" is sometimes mistranslated as 'outcaste'. But in Dvapar (during Shri Krishna's time) there was no concept of 'caste'... and hence, there was no such thing as 'outcaste' either. "Dog-eater" refers to Mlechcha, those who are barbaric and uncultured in nature as well as intemperate in their eating habits.
As to: Why the cow is worshiped, do read: Part-XIII. For elephant and what Sri Ganesh represents, do read: Part-XI. For the truly wise or enlightened see "jeevan mukta" - Part-XVII.]
Shri Bhagavan says, there is nothing that is "evil" in this world (Bhuvan), in nature (Prakriti), in our universe (Brhmaand) or in creation (Srristi, cosmos). And this is commensurate with the wisdom of our ancients... as per the philosophies of the "Sanaatan Dharma" or "the eternal way of life" - rooted in Vedic wisdom. [Sanaatan = timeless or eternal, Dharma = path or the 'way of life'. For Sanaatan Dhama and Vedic, do read: Part-XI.]
Therefore, even when miscreants (negative/aasuricforces or entities) are dealt with (by some or the other great human), it is not punishment, but an opportunity for redemption - provided to these aasuricentities by these great humans.
Both 'Sur'/'Sura' (i.e. positive forces or entities) and 'Asur'/'Asura' (negative forces or entities) are required for creation, and they are present everywhere: in the cosmos, in our universe and in this world; they are present within us (as traits), within society and within civilization as well - so as to sustain it, or rather, so as to maintainthe balance. Else it will result in stagnation.
Imbalance is also part of nature. ['Vikriti' is also part of 'Prakriti'.]
It is only when the 'balancing factors' reach an alarming stage that civilization is threatened and cannot progress well. Meaning: only when there is great imbalance, there is cause for alarm. However: the complete absence of 'balancing factors' will result in civilization itself stagnating!]
The above verse contains such noble thoughts, right?! So befitting of Krishna - the Delight of Yashoda; the Pride of Dvarka; Bliss of the Bharatas; Savior of the Marginalized and the Disadvantaged; Friend to the Good-hearted (dharmic); Foe to the Malicious (adharmic) and perhaps most humanly, the Soldier-Statesman par Excellence. [For Soldier-Statesman par Excellence, do read: Part: XXII.]
It is a small wonder then that the Srimad Bhagavad Geeta is a treasure-trove of immense wisdom and illumined knowledge... and is therefore, regarded as the jewel of ancient India's spiritual wisdom, one that is not constrained by time and space. And this is because of Karm Yog. One rarely finds books (including spiritual texts and discourses by various Gurus) laying emphasis on doing one's duty (i.e. upholding one's dharma) - irrespective of the outcome.
|| karmaNi eva adhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachana
maa karma phala hetuH bhuH maa sanghaH astu akarmaNi ||
[To know the meaning of the above verse, do read: Part: XII. In other words, Shri Bhagavan says: remember, the journey is more important than the destination... just as our business is with the action only, never with its fruits.]
But have we really understood the essence of Shri Bhagavan's message? What say you? And he wasn't even saying anything new, merely distilling the wisdom of our ancients (as manifested in the Sanaatan Dharma).
Our ancients left us many gifts, we - the moderns, have squandered almost all of them, thanks to our arrogance and petty-mindedness. While our forefathers revered and preserved nature (Prakriti) in all her beauty and glory, and made her an essential part of their being, we - their so-called descendents, have excelled in destroying nature, thanks to our relentless greed. Our ancients gave us many lessons: not to destroy, exploit or denude nature's gifts to mankind. We have done - for several generations now - the complete opposite. We must reflect on our actions and try to make amends - collectively. Or else, we shall all perish. Together.
Yet unfortunately: Our environment is being ravaged, our mountains are being desecrated, our hills are being razed to the ground, our trees are being indiscriminately massacred, our birds and animals are struggling to survive, our water-bodies are being polluted beyond recognition: faecal matter, factory effluents and even nuclear waste are dumped into them; civilizations are being decimated and there is a competition to grab the resources of the world. No tactics is considered too low - in order to achieve this. Nations and people are being torn apart: in the name of 'faith', 'charity', 'history', culture, language, 'friendship', 'research', media, commerce, sports and what have you. But with what result?
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"Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven," so said Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.
"Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness," said Kahlil Gibran.
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But then, Robi Thakur and Kahli Gibran may speak all they want about trees and Prakriti, we are super-gods, right?! :)
In Part-XXIwe discussed the concept of "Ardhanarishvara" in some detail. Let's continue from where we left off.
In this syncretic form, Shiv is also representing/personifying humanity (manav-jaati), while Parvati/Devi Durga represents/personifies Prakriti (Mother Nature).
[As per our ancients and as per the philosophies of the Sanaatan Dharma, humanity is He/masculine, while nature/Prakriti is She/feminine.]
Humanity (manav-jaati) needs and will always need Prakriti (Mother Nature) - in order to survive. She/Nature/Prakriti does not need Him/ Humanity.
Unfortunately, we - the modern humans - have forgotten this valuable lesson, and are bent on 'conquering'/'subjugating' nature. But will that ever happen? What will be the outcome?
Here's the answer: Without Prakriti (Nature/ personified by Parvati/Devi Durga), Shiva (humanity/manav-jaati) will become Shava (corpse).
Hence: It is best to learn or rather re-learn the lessons and imbibe the wisdom of our ancients. [We should not follow in the footsteps of the Mlechchas who regard Prakriti as inanimate... and are bent on exploiting (read: plundering) her riches. Remember: Sanaatan Dharma did not regard Prakriti as inanimate, hence the imagery of Parvati/Devi Durga.]
Prakriti is draped in green. [Therefore, the colour green also symbolizes Parvati/Devi Durga.] Vishnu and Shiv - the other cosmic forces/energies are also known as Hariand Hara respectively, and as Hari-Hara in their syncretic form. Hari and Hara, means green and green is the colour draped by Prakriti - during the day.
Dark, dark blue (Ghanshyam, Shyam), green (Hari-Hara), red (Lohith or Rohitah) and golden yellow (peet) are the colours of the universe, cosmos and Prakriti; rather they signify creation per se. Our ancients' understood this and revered nature. They also worshiped the water-bodies: the oceans (samudra), the rivers (nadh and nadi) and the lakes (sarovara). They worshipped the Mahidharas (the mighty mountains) as well. Mahidhara etymologically means: the one who holds the earth or the one who sustains the earth. Our ancients respected the mountains, the mahidharas, as the sustainers of the earth. So great has been our reverence for the Himalaya that in the Sanaatan Dharma (rooted in Vedic wisdom), it is not just a chain of mountains, He is divine. Himalaya is not only the 'father' of Devi Parvati, but is also the 'father' of the sacred Ganga, Yamuna and the Sarasvati. This reverence for the mightiest mountain-range is due to the acknowledgement of the central role He has played in preserving and sustaining our glorious mother-land.
But what have we been doing?
It is important that we become aware that the mountains play the singularly most important role in sustaining the environment in the Indian sub-continent. And we must also realize the importance of regenerating the mountains in order to revive the environment. [Do also read: Part-XXI.]
[To know what the colours red (Lohith or Rohitah), dark blue (Shyam) and golden yellow (Peet) represent, do read: Part: XXII.]
Dark, dark blue (Ghanshyam, Shyam), green (Hari-Hara), golden yellow (Peet) and red (Lohith or Rohitah): the peacock best sums up these colours. And isn't it an amazingly creative way to sum up nature (Prakriti), cosmos (Srishti) and our universe (Brhmaand)? Only our ancestors... enriched as they were with vigjnana (illumined knowledge/jnana + spirituality + philosophy) could think of this.
Dark or dark-blue is all pervading, is omnipresent, is everywhere. Yet it is maya, illusion, and is a manifestation of the deep, unfathomable aspect of Prakriti (nature) and Srishti (creation/cosmos). And no matter how much we endeavour to unravel all the mysteries of nature and/or the cosmos, some aspect(s) of her will continue to elude us - as maya ('illusion'). This is (also) symbolized by dark or dark blue.
... Hence, we must understand and accept this, and bow to Prakriti.
[Dark-blue is Shyam; the colour of dusk - the colour Prakriti wears after sunset and during the predawn hours. Dark is Ghanshyam, the colour of Prakriti - at night. Red is the colour of Prakriti during pre-dusk. Rohit or Rohitah signifies the colour red, it means the "First rays of the sun". The early morning sunlight usually has a lot of reddish tint. Lohith also refers to the colour 'red'. It indicates the power of Devi Durga/Parvati. Lohitagni is red flame (to symbolically burn one's negative traits). Hari (green) is the colour that Prakriti drapes - during the day. As for dark or Ghanshyam, we'll discuss that in greater detail - in our later posts.]
Therefore, Prakriti (personified by Parvati/Devi Durga) is Shyam, Ghanshyam, Peetamber, Lohith (or Rohitah) and Hari - all together.
Bhagavan Shri Krishna is also Shyam, Ghanshyam, Peetamber... and Hari - since he is revered as the human manifestation (sagun swaroop) of Vishnu - the balancing or preserving force behind the cosmos. This is the measure of Shri Krishna's karm - nishkam karm... as well as his stature, his magnificence, his grandeur and his immeasurable greatness. Rohit is also one of Shri Vishnu's many names.
[As for the colour red/Lohith or Rohitah: Krishna is also compared to Maa Parvati/Durga/Shakti - due to the grandeur of his Karm and Nishkam Karm. Maa Shakti - the divine mother and her human 'manifestation' - Devi Durga - has 108 names, one of which is 'Padmapatrakshi' or 'eyes like the lotus leaf'. Shri Krishna too is the possessor of 108 names and is known as the 'lotus-eyed-one' (with eyes as broad as the petals of the blue lotus). The dark-blue complexion of Krishna is compared to that of the Neel-kamal - the Blue Water-lily (Utpala) or the Blue Lotus (Pushkara or Indivara). Hence, this flower is also called: 'Krishna Kamal'. DeviDurga, the human 'manifestation' or the sagun swaroop of the divinecosmic feminine energy (Shakti) - is worshiped with 108 'Neel-Kamal' or Blue Lotuses. Do read Part-XIII - to know more about the Blue Lotus and the Blue Water-Lily.
Human manifestation or sagun swaroop is not literal. It essentially means that through him we can "see" the balancing or preserving force/energy behind the cosmos: Vishnu. And this is because of the greatness of Krishna's Karm - that helped preserve the noble principles of Sanaatan Dharma, restored balance in society and prevented its degradation/decadence + stopped the disintegration/demise of civilization.]
BTW, though we mentioned earlier that green/Hari is one of the colours of Prakriti (nature) and is to be found everywhere, yet given our relentless 'efforts', perhaps it is not, what say?
As for dark blue or Shyam: The dew-covered grass, the predawn hours, the mist-covered hills and the cloud-kissed forests seem dark blue. The pristine snow on the mountains, the Pārijāt, the Banyan tree (Sanskrit: Vata vrksha), the Peepal tree (Sanskrit: Ashvatha), the Tulsi (Sanskrit: Tulasī), the Aparaajita, the Palash, the Atasi, the Akund (Sanskrit: Arca), the Ashok, the Bel (Sanskrit: Bilwa), the Champak (Sanskrit: Campaka), the Yuthika (Juhī), the Kadamba vana (the Kadam forest), the Japāa kusuma (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), the Bakulah (Maulsari), the Karnikār (karnayoh karnikāram, Kanak Champā), the Tamāl (Tamala, Himalayan Garcinia), the Mālatī, the Punnāg (Punnaga, Sultan Champa), the Mādhavī (Atimukta, meaning: completely liberated), the Kovidār (Kovidara, Purple orchid tree), the Ketakī (Kewdā), the Pātal (Paral), the Gunjā (Gunjaa, Gunj), the Kund (Kundo, Star jasmine), the Bandhook (Midday Flower) - all appear to be dark blue, draped in the morning mist or in the evening twilight. Even the elegant deodars (Sanskrit: devadāru) have dark bluish-green leaves.
So, Shyam is indeed Sundar, no?
Here is Robi Thakur's ode to the Shyamalo-Sundaro - Esho Shyamolo-Sundaro - based on raaga Desh and rendered by Srikanto Acharjo:
The new moon (also referred to as Neelesh) appears to be dark or deep blue in colour. 'Neelesh' means 'god of the blue sky' and refers to the moon. Dark blue skies and a glowing moon exude peace and serenity. Shri Krishna is much admired for his radiance, calm and serene disposition even in the face of adversity. He is without ego (ahamkara). [Shri Ram (also: Ramchandra) comes from the Sanskrit Rāma, which means: black, dark; Chandra means: moon (in Sanskrit). Therefore: Ramchandra means: the Rāmamoon. It can also mean: as gentle as the moon (which distills the brilliant rays of the Sun).]
The planet that we inhabit - Mother Earth, has several Sanskrit names - given to her by our ancients. One of these names is: Go-loka. This is because: the earth is round in shape. But 'Go' also means: cow.
Go-loka is interpreted as Shri Krishna's abode in the spiritual sky (Goloka-Paravyoma). Methinks: it perhaps refers to the entire cosmos. Mother Earth (Prithvi-Loka or Bhu-Loka) appears as 'Krishna-loka' i.e. dark or dark blue in colour - in and from space(Vyoma).
[Shri Krishna is also known as 'Hrishikesa' and 'Gopala', meaning: 'Master of the senses'; since He had not only gained mastery over his own senses (indriyas), but also over those of others. Refer: Part:XXII. Krishna is also a teacher and guide (Gopala) to his flock. Here: Go = humanity; pala = guide, master, caretaker.
Gopala= Go + pala; Go = cow.]
Therefore, dark or dark blue is all pervading, is omnipresent, is everywhere. Yet it is maya, illusion - transient, ephemeral - and is a manifestation of the deep, unfathomable aspect of Prakriti(nature) and Srishti (creation/cosmos).
'Neel' means blue and 'amber' means sky, therefore 'Neelamber' means 'the blue sky'. 'Neelesh' means 'the Blue God', and is one of the many names of Shri Vishnu - "The Balancer" or "The Preserver." This name is a combination (sandhi) of two words: Neel (Blue) and Ish (Master, Lord or God). Ish or Esh is also a Sanskrit word for head. Hence, this name can also be interpreted as 'Blue Head,' and is a reference to Shri Vishnu as well. Shri Vishnu too is often described as the 'Lotus-Eyed One'. [See Part: XXII - to know the meaning of 'lotus-eyed'.] 'Neelesh' also means 'the destroyer of adharm'. Shri Krishna is a friend to the wise and the good-hearted (the dharmic), a foe to the wicked and the malicious (the adharmic); he fought the latter in order to restore balance in society. He is therefore considered as a manifestation (avatar) of Shri Vishnu - "The Preserver" or "The Balancer" - i.e. the preserving or the balancing force/energy behind the cosmos. [There is yet another Shri Vishnu - the one who resides in the other Vishnu-Loka, also known as Vaikuntha. We will discuss Him later.]
Krishna also means 'dark' (Ghanshyam). Krishna's grayish to dusky-blue complexion is similar to the colour of a newborn's skin immediately after birth. However, the word 'Krishna' has yet another meaning, that of the all-absorbing one.
During his lifetime, (it is said) he was the target of malicious attacks. Accusations, abuse and insults were hurled at him; several small-minded people orchestrated these. But Shri Krishna never stooped low nor responded back in kind. He simply absorbed them all - with his characteristic grace, and hence is also referred as the all-absorbing one.
He is "Neelkanth" remember? He absorbs poison (negativities, profanities, etc) and brings down adharm- through his Karm Yog. He does not sow them. [Do also read: Part-XIII, Part-XXand Part: XXII.
For "Neelkanth", do read Part-XVII. The palms of such great humans remain: kara-puṣkara or lotus-palm, in a manner of speaking that is.
While their feet remain 'lotus feet'. This is because: A lotus grows in muddy water yet remains untouched by it. Similarly: These greats 'absorbed' several poisonous/negative aspects of society - due to their Karm Yog, thereby cleansing society of various ills, and bringing down the negative content. Whatever they did was for the greater good - Loka-sangraha or Loka-Kalyana.]
As for the peacock allegory: The Hindi word for peacock is Mor while the Sanskrit word is Mayur. The peacock is a regal bird, royal blue in colour, interspersed with black, peet, red and a brilliant green; it is graceful and a sight to behold. It is a bird that dances when dark clouds gather in the sky... signaling the arrival of the rains. [In short: the peacock is Manmohan. It mesmerizes. Just like Krishna, who too possessed a magnetic personality and an enchanting smile... and who played the flute, the notes of which filled others with joy.]
The peacock is a bird that eats reptiles, and therefore helps humans, cattle and other animals - especially during the rainy season. [Sort of the "Neelkanth" imagery.] The peacock is a king among birds, has a regal bearing and is the vaahan (vehicle, transport) of Shri Kartik (the Devasenapati or the commander-in-chief of the Deva army and the son of Shiv-Parvati. It is also the 'vaahan' of Skandah - Shiv-Parvati's grandson. [Do read: Part: XXII - for more info on Kartik and Skandah.]
Krishna's head is bedecked with peacock feathers. He is also known as Mayur - due to his magnetic personality, handsome appearance, grace and splendor.
Krishna, as we know, plays the flute, but:
"When there are clouds of hypocrisy and when the sins turn into a storm, then my melodious flute takes the form of a small spear."
Also: || yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham ||
And: || paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge ||
[Do read: Part: XXII - to know the meaning of the above verses.]
The name 'Neelesh' is also used to refer to Shiv, who too is known as "The Destroyer of Adharm." Shiva is said to have "drank"/"held in his throat" the lethal poison (Halahala) generated as a result of the 'churning of the ocean' (samudra-manthan) - resulting in his throat turning blue in colour. And hence, he is also known as "Neelkanth" - the blue-throated one. [Neela = blue, kantha = throat in Sanskrit.]
Apparently: his action protected mother Earth (Prithvi-loka, Bhu-Loka) and/or Nature (Prakriti) from destruction.
But all this is clearly camouflaged language. Let us make an attempt to de-code/interpret it, meaning: let us try to understand what "samudra-manthan" was all about - as best as we can, that is:
Samudra Manthan is also known as:
Samudra manthanam: Manthanam is the Sanskrit equivalent of Manthan, meaning 'to churn'.
Sagar manthan: Sagar is another word for Samudra, both meaning an ocean or large water body.