Continuity of Hindu civilization

S. Kalyanaraman, Nov. 2012

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Pushkarini Agri-cultural practices ivalinga Sindhur at parting of hair Anklets & bangles ankhah kna, conch-bangle-cutter Conch-bangle dated to 6500 BCE (Archaeological evidence) 8. Form of greeting: Namaste
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MOHENJODARO: Pushkarini THE GREAT BATH WITH STEPS

Around Kalibangan village. Left: The present system of ploughing the field, which also has the criss-cross pattern of furrows. Right: A present field with mustard plants in the widely-distanced furrows and Kalibangan : An those of chickpea in the others.

agricultural field, showing criss-cross pattern of furrows. Circa 2000 BC.

Eka-vrtya (Rudra, iva)

Plate X [c] Lingam in situ in Trench Ai (MS Vats, 1940, Excavations at Harappa, Vol. II, Calcutta): In the adjoining Trench Ai, 5 ft. 6 in. below the surface, was found a stone lingam [Since then I have found two stone lingams of a larger size from Trenches III and IV in this mound. Both of them are smoothed all over]. It measures 11 in. high and 7 3/8 in. diameter at the base and is rough all over. (Vol. I, pp. 51-52) Mt. Kailas (Manasa Sarovar), Himalayas
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Nausharo: female figurine. Period 1B, 2800 2600 BCE. 11.6 x 30.9 cm.[After
Fig. 2.19, Kenoyer, 1998]. See another figuriine from the same site.

Hair is painted black and parted in the middle of the forehead, with traces of red pigment in the part.This form of ornamentation may be the origin of the later Hindu tradition where a married woman wears a streak of vermilion or powdered cinnabar (sindur) in the part of her hair. Choker and pendant necklace are also painted with red pigment, posssibly to represent carnelian beads.

The inset shows a lady from Bengal wearing sindhur on the parting of her hair; the tradition lives on.
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Kanjari : a long blouse embroidered and with mirror work. Shell bangles are worn by a Kutchi woman, from wrist to shoulder -- a cultural heritage from the Sarasvati-Sindhu civilization as evidenced by the bronze statue found at Mohenjodaro wearing bangles in similar style.

The bronze statue of a woman wearing bangles and holding a small bowl in her right hand, Mohenjo-daro (DK 12728; Mackay 1938: 274, pl. LXXIII, 9-11); was made using cire perdue (lost wax) method, a method used by vivakarma-s in Swmimalai to make bronze figurines of deities vivakarma tradition lives on. 6

Turbinella pyrum shell bangle manufacturing process. [a to f]: preliminary chipping and removal of internal columella; [g to k]: sawing shell circlets; [l to n]: finishing the shell blank; [o]: final incising [After Fig. 5.23 in Kenoyer, 1998].

A skilled sawyer and shells ready for sawing, Calcutta.

Turbinella pyrum ankhah kana, conch-cutter n. a pearl , mother-of-pearl RV. i , 35 , 4 and x , 68 , 11 AV. iv , 10 , 7; form , shape Naigh. iii , 7 ; mfn. yielding or containing pearls AV. iv , 10 , 1 and 3 (cf. Kaus3. 58)(Monier-Williams lexicon, p.305) abhvrta kanair vivrpa hrayaamya yajat brhntam (RV 1.35.4) Trans. The many-rayed adorable Savita, having power (to disperse) darkness from the world, has mounted his nigh-standing chariot, decorated with many kinds of golden ornaments, and furnished with golden yokes.

Turbinella pyrum conch shell trumpet. Hole at apex is roughly chipped. Used to call people for battle or ritually throughout South and Southeast Asia. Essential component of Hindu and Bauddham traditions, one of 8 auspicious symbols. 9.66 X 5.1 cm. Harappa; 8 Lahore Museum, P501

TURBINELLA PYRUM ankhah kana conch-cutter

Burial ornaments made of shell and stone disc beads, and turbinella pyrum (sacred conch, ankha) bangle, Tomb MR3T.21, Mehrgarh, Period 1A, ca. 6500 BCE. The nearest source for this shell is Makran coast near Karachi, 500 km. South. [After Fig. 2.10 in Kenoyer, 1998]. From Gulf of Kutch and Saurashtra: Spiney murex, chicoreus ramosus (a), knobbed whelk, fasciolaria trapezium (b), and sawn fragments of the sacred conch (ankha -turbinella pyrum [After Fig. 5.21 in Kenoyer, 1998].

Tradition: Parvati, wore conch shell bangles ankhaka -- created by Sage Agastya Muni and Divine architect Vivakarma. ankha is a Kuberas treasure one of the nine treasures or navanidhi.
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Harappa: A terracotta figure greeting with namaste. Mature Harappan

Kalibangan: Terracotta linga-cum-yoni. Mature Harappan

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