Discussion on Indian Epics, Texts, Treatises & Kathas

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 05 May 2011 22:30

Ok.

Kshatrap rulers of Malwa and Gujarat minted unbelievable numbers of coins starting from first century upto fifth centuries. Mostly of silver. Satavahans minted large numbers of coins from 2nd century bc to 3rd century AD - of potin, silver and lead.

Kshatraps were probably the first rulers in the world who put dates on their coins in brahmi numerals.

http://www.coinnetwork.com/profiles/blo ... n-numerals

Kshatraps were also the first rulers to add designations of ruler and his father.

Here is a full coin of Yashodaman II kshatrap with Shaka date 241 on obverse and Legend Rajno Kshatrapas Rudrasen Putra Rajno Kshatrapas Yashodamn.

http://www.coinnetwork.com/photo/yashodaman-ii

for brahmi symbols for numbers beyond 9,
http://home.c2i.net/greaker/comenius/98 ... mage70.jpg

Many of these coins are still found right from Mumbai near boriavli upto the parts of northern gujarat and easter MP. They have also been found in Jain temples. A large hoard of around 7000 coins was found at one of the girnar caves in Junagadh, Gujarat.

From 400 AD onwards, the guptas stopped minting silver money as silver drachmas were available in millions. Guptas minted only gold dinars. Their silver coins are scarce and coins of Chandragupta II who subdued Kshatraps are very rare.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 05 May 2011 22:47

Bji & others...

One story I read in a book (Telugu book - Mahavedha; Sri Chivukula Purushottam) is that the spread of Buddhism and Jainism across Bharat were more to do with their Tantric/Kshudra practices and Kings encouraged these sects to influence/hurt/kill their opponents using those Kshudra upasanas. There is a story that Simhalese Buddhist king applied Abhisarika/Pratyangira tantra on Andhra Satavahana (IIRC Telugu novel Yugadi by Smt Palanki Satya).

Only Ashoka was said to have converted to Buddhism for its Ahimsa ideology after Kalinga battle.

Any insights?

Added: Books references. I read most of these books ~15 years ago. Will get them in my next pilgrimage.
Ramanaji - found the Mahavedha book. Will write a summary by next week.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 05 May 2011 22:59

Please quote author and language for future refs.

Thanks, ramana

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 05 May 2011 23:07

Now for some curious thoughts (CT) w.r.t Swati Nakshatra

http://openseti.org/Hall.html

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 06 May 2011 02:03

By the time Salya became the commander in chief on the 18th day of the war...

Kauravas left with 11,000 chariots, 10,700 elephants, 200,000 horses and 3crore soldiers.
Pandavas left with 6,000 chariots, 3,000 elephants, 100,000 horses and 1 crore soldiers.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 06 May 2011 04:48

Murugan wrote:Ok.

Kshatrap rulers of Malwa and Gujarat minted unbelievable numbers of coins starting from first century upto fifth centuries. Mostly of silver. Satavahans minted large numbers of coins from 2nd century bc to 3rd century AD - of potin, silver and lead.

Kshatraps were probably the first rulers in the world who put dates on their coins in brahmi numerals.

http://www.coinnetwork.com/profiles/blo ... n-numerals

Kshatraps were also the first rulers to add designations of ruler and his father.

Here is a full coin of Yashodaman II kshatrap with Shaka date 241 on obverse and Legend Rajno Kshatrapas Rudrasen Putra Rajno Kshatrapas Yashodamn.

http://www.coinnetwork.com/photo/yashodaman-ii

for brahmi symbols for numbers beyond 9,
http://home.c2i.net/greaker/comenius/98 ... mage70.jpg

Many of these coins are still found right from Mumbai near boriavli upto the parts of northern gujarat and easter MP. They have also been found in Jain temples. A large hoard of around 7000 coins was found at one of the girnar caves in Junagadh, Gujarat.

From 400 AD onwards, the guptas stopped minting silver money as silver drachmas were available in millions. Guptas minted only gold dinars. Their silver coins are scarce and coins of Chandragupta II who subdued Kshatraps are very rare.

True. What could have happened, is that when we find them from an archaeological deposit at a lower depth==earlier era, it means somehow a small fraction of the money was lost/stored/hidden and became unavailable and hence we can find them now. If an upper laeyr deposit/later era lack such deposits means less of these were available to be lost/hidden/stored/hidden. This scarcity period starts from roughly the early-mid 700's to 1100's.

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 06 May 2011 09:58

There was no scarcity iirc during the period actually.

Hindu Shahi/Kabul Shahi coins were minted in large numbers in 7th, 8th and 9th centuries, in such a large number that they dont hold more than base metal value in numismatic circuits. These coins were in circulation in today's north rajasthan and punjab area other than the areas in af-pak. the images of coins of Kabul Shahi in the following link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabul_Shahi

Likewise, sassanian coinage and gadhaiya type sassanian coins were in circulation during 8th and 9th centuries.

Samtata rulers of east bengal minted silver coins in 8th century. Harikelas minted silver and base gold coins during this period too. In sindh Ranaditya Satya minted base gold dinars in 8th century. Gurjara pratihar of north and central india minted silver coins - boar type - varaha avatar of vishnu type coins in large numbers.

Scarcity of gold was there after the decline of gupta powers, mainly due to wars with invaders (huns). the powe of money degraded and for some years certain rulers minted their coins in base gold. As happened after the decline of kushans.

Scarcity of gold was only due to wars during this period. But there was no scarcity of silver or copper.

***

the popular belief is that old coins are only found loose/pot under certain depth or under layers. that cannot be entirely true. for instance, kushan currency was used legally till 17th century in many parts of punjab. many people started hoarding these coins in 19th and as late as 20th century as they were available freely with people and scrap dealers. Roman coins were legal currency in part of Bharuch and Kerala in 4-6th century.

Generally the coins are found stored in metal pots as there were no banks and safe deposti vaults people used to hoard money and used to keep them at secret places. A coin hoard of 13250 coins of Nahapan was found at Jogalthambi in Maharashtra in a large pot buried just few feet.

The other way old currency preserved is a purely traditional. Dhanteras is the day when laxmi is worshipped and baniyas of rajasthan/gujarat/maharashtra/mp/karnatka/bengal take out the all gold and silver jewellery and coins for pooja purpose. After pooja is over they add some more coins/jewels etc and put it back in some secret places/safe depsit vaults. this tradition is goin on for years. i know one goldsmit family who have such collection consisting of gold and silver coins from 15-16th century onwards - money collected by their ancestors, but the addition in 21st century is jewellery and planchets of silver/gold only as there is no gold/silver money in use in india today.

Another source of old money is holy rivers where people offer money while on pilgrimage or passing by.

***

Added later:

Rashtrakutas 753-982 AD

The Rashtrakutas issued coins (minted in an Akkashale) such as Suvarna, Drammas in silver and gold weighing 65 grains, Kalanju weighing 48 grains, Gadyanaka weighing 96 grains, Kasu weighing 15 grains, Manjati with 2.5 grains and Akkam of 1.25 grain.[88]

Also large numbers of gold and silver coins were by Norther and Sothern kalachuri kings starting 11the century.

ManishH · Post by **ManishH** » 06 May 2011 11:34

There's simlarity in languages आयस (sanskrit) -> eisern (german) -> iron (english). But it's possible the root word spread out from and India where it remained to be used for a generic metal, but became a specific metal in europe.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 06 May 2011 17:00

Murugan ji,
if we dig and find coins archaeologically [not from family sources or inheritance - we have a sizeable collection, so I know], then it means the coin had gone out of circulation at some stage. This was all I meant. I will write later about the lack of bullion in the late antiquity in the north - later.

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 06 May 2011 17:06

RamaY wrote:By the time Salya became the commander in chief on the 18th day of the war

Funny you should make this post at a time when I had a similar train of thought. Perhaps a precedent was set in MB where desert dwelling tribes (Mdra's) used Tamasic extremes to weaken the hands of their so-called 'allies' before falling to Dharma and taking their allies down with them in the process? So, basically Mdra was an unreliable tamasic extortionist and Salya has been painted in bright colours by subsequent potrayals, just because his relations to Pandavas meant that his real persona shouldnt come out entirely to the open?

devesh · Post by **devesh** » 06 May 2011 19:05

Shalya saradhya of Karna is a major episode of MB. the man used every trick in the book to hurt Karna's morale. me thinks it was Shalya's revenge for forcing him to fight on Kaurava side by Duryodhana.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 06 May 2011 19:20

Klaus wrote: Funny you should make this post at a time when I had a similar train of thought. Perhaps a precedent was set in MB where desert dwelling tribes (Mdra's) used Tamasic extremes to weaken the hands of their so-called 'allies' before falling to Dharma and taking their allies down with them in the process? So, basically Mdra was an unreliable tamasic extortionist and Salya has been painted in bright colours by subsequent potrayals, just because his relations to Pandavas meant that his real persona shouldnt come out entirely to the open?

Klaus ji,

Another trivia on Salya. He too attended (along with almost all the kings in Bharata Varsha) Draupadi Swayamvara. When the Brahmins (Arjuna in disguise) won the test all these kings got jealous and went to fight them.

Key fights on that day were, Karna's with Arjuna and Salya's with Bhima.

And we all know how he ended up in Kaurava's side in the war.

No wonder Vyasa thought Draupadi must marry all five brothers (and her past lives' karma helped the reasoning); Draupadi became the unifier of brothers after that - many times Pandavas came into near split... Joodakreeda, Arjuna pilgrimage and so on...

Interestingly Krishna too went there along with Balarama. In a "Jnanapeeth" award winning novel by Sri K Laxmi Prasad; Draupadi wonders about Krishna's intentions for being there... Of course they become best friends after that with a sisterly and brotherly affection.

Dharma-sukshma is extremely subtle and harsh at the same time...

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 06 May 2011 19:39

^^^ If a minute character sketch of desert monarchs of MB era are made, do you think we will get a parellel to pre-Islamic ME (say 5th century AD) and modern-day Arabia power-brokers and kingpins?

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 06 May 2011 20:12

Possible Klausji. But my knowledge and insight is not sufficient to draw that character sketch.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 07 May 2011 02:15

Swayamwara in those days is a major event for which people go. Not all people go there need not be interested to marry the girl. If you read the MB Sri Krishna even points Pandavas to Balarama in the same event.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 07 May 2011 02:48

^ Yes sir. However, Salya did resort to fight with Bhima in Brahmin disguise; same as Karna...

I doubt MB gives details of every king that tried that Matsya Yantra

Of course we know Sri Krishna's intention behind going there... It was excellently put in the summary (by Sri Hebbar Nageswara Rao) I posted on the political scenario of MB

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 07 May 2011 03:08

Didn't Salya give away Madri while insisting on bride-price as obligatory family custom? Bride-money - or money paid to the family of the bride for the "sexual use" of her person - is clearly an accepted custom in pre-Muhammad northern Arabia. This is the exact definition of "nikah", which is not "marriage" in the sense we understand it.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 07 May 2011 04:01

Atri · Post by **Atri** » 07 May 2011 15:36

About uttarMadra - The Uttaramadra was the northern branch of the Madra people who are numerously referenced in ancient Sanskrit and Pali literature.

In Aitareya Brahmana 8.14 , the Uttarakuru and the Uttaramadra tribes are stated to be living beyond Himalaya. Aitareya Brahmana also adduces these two people as an example of republican vairajiya janapadas or nations, where whole Janapada took the consecration of rulership.

The Vamsa Brahmana (1.18.1) of the Sama Veda refers to Madrakara Shaungayani as the teacher of Aupamanyava Kamboja. Sage Shangayani Madrakara, as his name itself shows, and as the scholars have rightly pointed out, belonged to the Madra people. This connection between the Uttaramadras and the Kambojas is but natural, as they were close neighbors .

One more interesting fact is, Aupmanyava OR Upamanyu is a common gotra in Brahmins from Kashmir and NWFP area.

Madra in MBH is referred as Vaahika Pradesh (land with flowing rivers). So no reference to desert. The reference to desert is in description of Matsya pradesh (Rajasthan), which is infact, very ironical and Salwa pradesh and its capital Martikavati. This matsya pradesh comes in path of mighty Saraswati river which was drying up by the time MBH happened.. I guess salwa is desert region near today's Khushab.. the name martikavati suggests one which is full of sand.. So may be jaisalmer and adjoining regions..

ManishH · Post by **ManishH** » 07 May 2011 16:18

^^^I thought vahika came from bahika - an outside realm - a collective name for western kingdoms of Kamboja, Gandhara, Madra - westwards from Punjab to Bactria and upto river Oxus. Their social and political systems had deviated from eastern kingdoms.

Atri · Post by **Atri** » 07 May 2011 16:30

ManishH wrote:^^^I thought vahika came from bahika - an outside realm - a collective name for western kingdoms of Kamboja, Gandhara, Madra - westwards from Punjab to Bactria and upto river Oxus. Their social and political systems had deviated from eastern kingdoms.

AFAIK, Bactria is Baalhika pradesh and not Vaahik pradesh.. Balhika is the origin of the modern day "Balkh"..

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 07 May 2011 18:32

I was recently intrigued by finding out that the ancient alternative name used by Egyptians of the early dynastic period was "m-d-r". As I pointed out that now some scholars are bginning to think that the ancient language might not have used vowels in the way we do - and that they wrote down consonants only, with vowel-pronunciation being guided by custom. So modern pronunciations are guesses at best. If I strip that m-d-r [mizhraim/midhrim/mishar - all are later semitic pronunciations] - I do see possibility of "madra". Aside from this the other names for the delta - k-r-m-t" in my interpretations could be a proto form of the prevalent dialect for "krsna-mrittika", and actually apparently k-rm-t did really mean "land of black earth". The lower or more arid part, was called "d-r-s-t" sounds close to "dhushar" and apparently they also meant it as "red earth/dust". [Dont know whether it is a stretch to have drishadvati]

Is it not possible that the madras at one point was a name for an entire culture of nomads who roamed or settled in more arid regions to the west of the subcontinent? It does not have to be tied specifically to deserts. The same culture could have spread to east Africa, after the MB dispersals.

suryag · Post by **suryag** » 07 May 2011 22:20

Can someone throw light on the rule of hindu kings in Afghanistan during the time of mahmud ghazni, I was startled to find that it was ruled by Jayapala who fought the MOG a number of times each time being defeated. Until now i thought that AFG was left wide open to nomads from Mongolia after the Gupta era

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 08 May 2011 00:10

BSir ji,
Guru Gobind Singh ji referred to Punjab as Madr( not persian Maadher) Desh in Vichitar Natak. Another intriguing thing is Egyptian white turban resembles so much with indian turban style. The imfamous terrorist Zawahir with his white turban can pass as an north Indian 'paandha/pandit' without any suspicion.In fact he looks so much like late paandha of our own family who was always invited to do all sad/happy ceremonies.

Atri · Post by **Atri** » 08 May 2011 01:14

suryag wrote:Can someone throw light on the rule of hindu kings in Afghanistan during the time of mahmud ghazni, I was startled to find that it was ruled by Jayapala who fought the MOG a number of times each time being defeated. Until now i thought that AFG was left wide open to nomads from Mongolia after the Gupta era

Sabuktijin (Mahmud's uncle) usurped power of Gazni Janapada from Raja Shiladitya. Within 25 years of this transfer, raids of Mehmood on India started. Afghanistan resisted as a "indic" power against incursions of Islam for 250 years before falling to Islamic hordes. What were other "Indic" powers doing when Gaandhara was putting a solitary fight? did they support? if yes, how much? if no, why? this is one interesting question.

So I would like to think more about role of Hindu Shahi rulers of NWFP in their fight against Islamic hordes and ideas.

However, this should go in distorted history thread and not here..

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 08 May 2011 17:11

brihaspati wrote:Didn't Salya give away Madri while insisting on bride-price as obligatory family custom? Bride-money - or money paid to the family of the bride for the "sexual use" of her person - is clearly an accepted custom in pre-Muhammad northern Arabia. This is the exact definition of "nikah", which is not "marriage" in the sense we understand it.

It is not like you put. If one reads the MB, he was asked by the Kurus for the girl and he has informed the custom and they have paid that money. kanyashulkan is a custom in many societies including in Bramins of AP till 1900's. there is a famous drama and a old movie on that. I just purchased both resently. The evil side of this customer was selling very young girls to marry old men and when men dies take their properties by the girls family with the girl as a widow used as servent in the house.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 08 May 2011 21:02

NRao garu,

You are talking about Gurajada's Kanyasulkam (social situation in 19th century) Vs MB time (~3200BC). We don't see many references to Kanyasulkam in other marriages of MB times.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 09 May 2011 01:16

Narayana Rao garu,
no intentional offence meant! The second sentence was mocking the concept as practised in Qureyshi Mecca. Salya also specifically seems to be connected with rather uncomfortable marital/sexual issues - as in the story of "Nahusha-Indra-Sachi" story he narrates to Pandavas after being "tricked" by nephew into supporting Kurus. It seems to be irrelevant for the context of the war. The real issue as formally stated was "land" and not woman - the latter aspect being strong in the Nahusha story, with the corresponding "woman" sort of put in a vacillating "Penelope" position.

ManishH · Post by **ManishH** » 09 May 2011 09:33

Atri wrote:AFAIK, Bactria is Baalhika pradesh and not Vaahik pradesh.. Balhika is the origin of the modern day "Balkh"..

Indeed Atriji you're right. Most authors make a distinction. I was mislead by the wikipedia entry and Vipasa => Beas might be a linguistic trend in west.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 11 May 2011 20:27

devesh wrote:I have always been confused by Karna's behavior in MB. i feel like, if BRF gurus were to make psych profile of him including the geography of his birth and rule (Anga), etc some interesting clues might come out that Vyasa was trying to convey by depicting Karna like that. he is a unique character. on one hand, he is "dana veera Karna," willing to give away anything to others. and on the other, he willingly watches, enjoys, and supports the 'almost' rape of a woman......

Devesh garu, IIRC you are a Telugu.

Please listen to this speech to get the dharma-sukshma at : http://surasa.net/music/purana/#malladi ... rata_songs

The difference between Karna and Arjuna is said to be the way they approached the guru-shishya relationship. Arjuna approached it with reverence; Karna with a singular motivation to achieve what he wanted without much respect/reverence to what Guru stands for.

Secondly, almost every character in MB has faults. Natural faults are part of Dharma (Father's love towards his offspring) but when crossed a red-line they become Adharm (willing to kill others thru deception to protect those offspring's benefits)

JMHT.

devesh · Post by **devesh** » 11 May 2011 21:11

thank you RamaY ji. will listen to it first chance I get.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 11 May 2011 21:22

Read the discourse Krishna had with Karna when he starts back from his efforts for peace fail in Hasthinapura. You will see Karnas heart there.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 11 May 2011 23:40

ManishH wrote:
Atri wrote:AFAIK, Bactria is Baalhika pradesh and not Vaahik pradesh.. Balhika is the origin of the modern day "Balkh"..
Indeed Atriji you're right. Most authors make a distinction. I was mislead by the wikipedia entry and Vipasa => Beas might be a linguistic trend in west.

Or Vitastaa? The Greeks possibly made it "Hydaspes"? (wa)ks(h)u - became Oxus, etc.

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 12 May 2011 15:38

RamaY wrote:
devesh wrote:I have always been confused by Karna's behavior in MB. i feel like, if BRF gurus were to make psych profile of him including the geography of his birth and rule (Anga), etc some interesting clues might come out that Vyasa was trying to convey by depicting Karna like that. he is a unique character. on one hand, he is "dana veera Karna," willing to give away anything to others. and on the other, he willingly watches, enjoys, and supports the 'almost' rape of a woman......
Devesh garu, IIRC you are a Telugu.

Please listen to this speech to get the dharma-sukshma at : http://surasa.net/music/purana/#malladi ... rata_songs

I find it funny and odd at the same time that Karna was said to have a parochial world view (including Indrajit Bandhopadhyay and KC Ganguly) and is said to have not considered the Andhrakas and Kalingas as part of his vision for Bharatha, IOW he had a continental, landward oriented view of how Bharata should be which was in opposition to the 'Jambudvipa' vision of Sri Krishna.

Yet, Karna finds a prominent place in Andhra folklore and folk spin-off tales and lore from the MB. It most certainly is a later-day by-product of character enhancement.

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 12 May 2011 15:41

brihaspati wrote:
Or Vitastaa? The Greeks possibly made it "Hydaspes"? (wa)ks(h)u - became Oxus, etc.

So, this is one way of proving familial (distant?) relations between Kuru and Uttara Kuru kingdoms. Make it in such a way that the story is told through the tongues of the Greeks themselves! Plausible deniability and all that.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 12 May 2011 20:06

Klaus ji,

IMHT Karna's character has been glorified by NTR's movie Dana Veera Sura Karna. Lets look at his attitude from various incidents -

1. Trying to save ghee from earth - This is shown as Bhudevi's (mother earth) curse on Karna. But we also have a poem (Sumati satakam IIRC) "Tiviri Isukana Tailambu..." implying that trying to extract the spilled oil from earth is Moorkha nature, not valor (Sura)

2. Mistakingly killing a cow - It became a deceptive act by Indra. Compare it with Arjuna's action and follow-up pilgrimage when he had to enter Armory room to protect cows.

3. Karna's valor (Veera) in Aranya Parva (when Gandharva's humiliate Kauravas), Uttara Go-grahana

4. Karna's entire wealth and kingdom came as a gift/dana from Duryodhana. How can it be dana if he donates something he gets as Dana?

5. Karna's behavior in Karuava Court during Joodakreeda and Draupadi Vastrapaharana. Compare it with Vikarna's protest against the entire royal assembly. What stopped Karna from standing up for Dharma?

and so on... One underlying character in all these incidents, including his discussion with Sri Krishna after Rayabara (where he was told truth about his birth ...), is the sense of victimhood. It is always someone else's deception or injustice and exployitation; and never about Karna's choices. We see similar attitude in today's dus-persentis and geelaanis.

Same goes with NTR's depiction of Ravana in Bhukailas movie. Ravana's intolerant asuric attitude (intolerance towards vishnu devotees, trying to separate shiva from sakti, seeking a woman in Parvati, high ego, not able to know the value of Atma linga and keeping it in the custody of a boy for ritualistic worship and so on) is hidden behind the so-called scripted play by Indra, Narada, Vishnu, Shiva, Parvati and finally Ganesha. Ravana is a humble and innocent son....

To understand their characters better we should study their choices when they are in power... and whom/what they blamed for their downfall.

***

The best comparison is story of Uttana Pada (Dhruva).

When his step mother tells him that "he cannot sit on his father's lap because he is born not to her but his mother who is unlucky and is not a favorite of the king".

When Uttana Pada asks her mother, Sumati, about it; she doesn't complain. She agrees with the above logic: "Yes my boy, your mother is unlucky when it comes to husband's love. You could have avoided this fate if you were born to your step mother. But the reality is that you are born to me. Now it is upto you to decide whether you cry about it or earn your rightful place thru hardwork".

When Uttana Pada asks her what to do? Sumati replies "All these materialistic titles are based on your karma. Go pray for Vishnu who gives everyone what they deserve".

It made Dhruva out of Uttana Pada.

gokulvarmank · Post by **gokulvarmank** » 12 May 2011 20:49

Background : Hi, this is an experiment I wrote up trying to re-imagine how the Lanka Dahanam which happened in Ramayana would be conducted in the present times by translating the historical characters into modernity. Some liberties with the storyline have been taken to make it more portrayable using modern military technologies but all in all I have tried to stick to the original legend. I invite critiques on it.

The aircraft had been flying low and with all navigation lights turned off for quite some time now. The mission is of a priority nature, and they were essentially flying on a suicide mission. All earlier reconnaissance flights to Lanka had been shot down by the LANKA LAXMI Comprehensive Defense Network which protected Lanka, an intricate network of air defense radars, and Surface to Air Missiles which was supported by dedicated squadrons of Air Superiority fighters of Lanka Air Force.

However the GH44was flying very low, wave skiing barely 100 meters above sea level, hopefully below the radar coverage of the powerful air defense radars in Lanka. The specially coated blades of the quad tilt rotor aircraft are directionally deceptive acoustically, however ultimately the GH44 and its team of elite commandos would have to depend on sheer pluck and guts.

The Kishkinta Air Force GH44 is a integral asset of the MARUT Force, the elite of elite commando units, commanded by Major Bajrang Bali. The full force of 32 combat tested commandos are deploying for this special reconnaissance mission. Their mission : to find Lady Sita, the wife of Prince Ram who was kidnapped by Generalissimo Ravan, the dictator ruling Lanka. Sugreev, the King of Kishkinta had promised to assist Prince Ram in finding his captured wife and it was to this end that MARUT force is deployed.

"Captain, we are getting some radar returns from 180, it seems there is a creeping wave radar trying to track us and engage us," the electronic warfare officer informed the pilot commanding the GH44.

"Okay, hold on tight, gentlemen, we may have some rocky ride ahead," the Captain said as the weapon systems that were on standby were powered on to full active.

"Vampires inbound, multiple vampires inbound from 180, seems like a stealth launcher."

"Launch counter measures."

Though not as agile as a fighter the GH44 did have some tricks up its sleeve and volumes of chaff and flare were expended to distract the missiles. The tilt rotor engines were also used with full effect to deny a doppler target to the tracking radar, as the aircraft jinked and swerved to avoid the missiles flying towards them. While the captain and copilot were busy evading the missiles in the aft section the MARUT force were strapped in tight fighting the nausea induced by the wild maneuvers. The electronic warfare officer is meanwhile trying to locate the source of the missiles. It was vital that it be destroyed before it did further harm to the plane or warned Lanka about its intrusion.

"Captain, I have the target. Seems like a Surasa class frigate, jamming its communications and radars. Bearing 183, range 400 meters, we must engage before we reach in range of its CIWS guns." The high powered jammer in this specialized aircraft was matching the frequency hopping abilities of the tracking radar as well as jamming the known communication frequencies with noise. Now with a clear target information a single HARM, Anti Radiation Missile was launched. The close range and low altitude of the GH44 meant that the HARM struck fast before counter measures or evasion could be attempted. Hit amidships , the Surasa class frigate sunk with all hands.

"Phew, that was close. Okay guys, let us pray and hope that this was unnoticed by Lankans. I just hope our hacker boys have done their job well," the Captain said. The highly secretive cyber warfare team of MARUT Force had been working for days to find a way to spoof the highly secure LANKA LAXMI defense network. The intricate defense network had been known to operate off encrypted burst satellite communications and it had taken some extreme luck and some exquisite coding to break through its security levels. Now the GH44 had been assigned a bogus IFF number that would show as friendly to the LANKA LAXMI.

As it neared the coast, the GH44 climbed up to altitude and powered on its IFF signals.

"HNMN142, this LNLX Control. State the mission code, Over" the radio soon squawked to life.

Feinting a bored voice, the co-pilot spoke, "LNLX Control, this is HNMN142. We are returning from routine patrol in Sector NNW27, now RTB Lanka AFB. Request clearance, Over".

With baited breath, the crew waited for the response. They hoped that the LANKA LAXMI server had the call sign and mission codes fed into it by the MARUT hackers.

"HNMN142, this is LNLX Control, you are cleared to enter Lanka Capital Zone. Safe flight."

The GH44 carried on its flight at higher altitude finally reaching 30,000 ft. The sprawling city of Lanka was spread below them, resplendent in wealth looted from several other nations, home to the armed force which had terrorized the world for such a long time. They are literally in the jaws of the lion.

At the jump master's command, the 32 commandos started lining up by the aft door which was now opened. Each jump was timed for special Drop Zones strategically located across the city. While most of the MARUT Force were spread out around the city, the team of 4 led by Maj. Bajrang Bali were being dropped directly on to the sprawling Palace Complex. Dropping stealthily using their tactical parachutes, they landed at the Ashokavana Park in the middle of the Palace Complex. The lush orchard was the ideal landing spot and is central enough for the team to spread out their search from. Intelligence sources also indicated that Ashokavana is a high security zone, guarded by an elite cadre of female commandos. All these indicators had caused Maj. Bajrang to guestimate this orchard as the most likely place where Lady Sita could be held.

Immediately after landing the black Nomex clad commandos hid themselves in thickets of trees that formed the orchard and stealthily started searching. Exquisitely trained in jungle warfare, the prospect of searching for a single person in a thickly wooded park in the middle of a high security palace, constantly under the glare of roving search lights and patrolling commandos reputed to be devilishly effective is daunting. However the team slowly spread out, timing their sprints between thickets to avoid the patrols and searchlights.

Stealth had always been the speciality of Maj. Bajrang Bali. The most highly decorated soldier in Kishkinta Army, he is also a close friend of King Sugreev and Prince Ram. For years languishing as a rank and file officer in Kishkinta Army his immense skills were rediscovered thanks to Prince Ram. While accompanying as Special Protective Officer to Sugreev and Ram, Bajrang Bali had proven his loyalty and abilities multiple times during Sugreev's years of exile from Kishkinta. Now Prince Ram had personally assigned him this mission, a mission Bajrang is determined to fulfill.

He had heard a lot about the piety of Lady Sita, an exemplary doyen of all qualities pure and good. He shuddered at the prospect of the torture and suffering that Lady Sita would have suffered at the hands of the bestial and cruel Generalissimo Ravan.

Moving through the thickets Maj. Bajrang came at the edges of a small clearing where his Night Vision/Thermal Goggles determined a concentration of heat signatures beneath a certain tree. Powering up the scope of his goggles, Maj. Bali observed the scene. A cohort of female commandos were standing guard next to a tree underneath which a divinely beautiful lady, clad in robes of white cotton was sitting. The demonic aura of the heavy guns brandished by the guard detail did not however the divinity obvious from the lady in white.

"Marut Lead to Marut Team. Positive contact with Lady Sita. Hold tight while I establish contact. Marut Team, prepare to give me cover," Maj. Bali said softly on his encrypted communications gear. Checking the perimeter, Maj. Bali was about to signal his team mates to move forward to support his recon, when suddenly he called them to stop. A large posse of commandos were coming from the Palace to the Ashokavana, apparently some big shot is coming. Maj. Bali observed as Generalissimo Ravan walked towards Sita and attempted to talk to her. The effort was obviously futile as Ravan soon stomped off towards the Palace in high dudgeon. Excellent.

After a while the commando force thinned around Lady Sita, when the guards went into their routine switching of detail. For the late night shift, the Ashokavana was closed off and only a guard detail of 3 female commandos were at station standing around Lady Sita who was now sitting at the root of the tree.

Corking the silencer on to the grooved barrel of his 9mm Revolver, Maj. Bali stealthily advanced towards Lady Sita. Since he did not know how Sita would react if these commandos were killed, Maj. Bali decided that they would instead be shot with tranquilizer bullets. Three faint pops from the silenced gun in the span of barely 4 seconds took care of the three commandos who fell unceremoniously to the ground. Lady Sita gave a small shriek before Bajrang Bali spoke to her, "Madam, please do not shout. I am an envoy from Prince Ram."

"What? Who are you? Why did you kill these women?" Lady Sita asked flustered at the sudden shock.

"Milady, I am Major Bajrang Bali, servant of Prince Ram of Ayodhya and King Sugreev of Kishkinta. I am here to rescue you. Also these women are not dead, they are merely unconscious."

"What? You are sent by Ram? How do I know you are not just another sneaky trick by Ravan?" Sita sneered at Bajrang.

"Well I thought it would come to this, so I have brought this proof of veracity," Bajrang said while producing a small package from a pouch in his rucksack.

Opening the small velvet bound package, Lady Sita saw the signet ring that Prince Ram gave as a verifiable sign of proof.

"Madam, me and my team were sent here to find you, we are also ready to take you back to Prince Ram, if you consent to come with us," Maj. Bajrang said.

"No, I will not escape so unceremoniously from here. I have seen the horrors and evils propagated by this evil person. He must be destroyed. Please do not take offense, but you must tell Ram that he himself should come and rescue me and avenge the insult meted out to me," Lady Sita said.

"Very well then, Madam. I shall take my leave then. Though I think it would be wise for me to let Ravan have a hint of the consequences of his evil actions." Then bowing before Lady Sita, Maj. Bajrang Bali walked up towards his team mates who had now come out.

"Okay guys, now we have maintained contact. Now let us finish the second part of our mission. I really feel like we should give Ravan a message too, what do you think?"

"Oh yes, Sir. Let us show what MARUT Force can do. The rest of the team has checked in, Sir. Their mission is also accomplished and they have met up with the GH44," the Sergeant of the team replied.

"Okay. Now, let us rock and roll."

Maj. Bali and his team slowly made their way towards the walls that enclosed Ashokavana Park. Scaling the walls using the pneumatically shot rappelling cables the commandos soon reached the top of the walls. It would be counter productive to let Ravan know that they had established contact with Lady Sita, so they had to conduct their distraction operations well away from the Ashokavana. Establishing contact with the GH44 that was by then landed at a football ground within the city, the Major signaled the MARUT Force to do the second phase of their job.

High tension power cables which fed electric power into the Palace were blown apart as demolition charged placed on them by the MARUT Force exploded. The sudden loss of power and loss of security was utilized by the team within the Palace to make their way towards the Administrative Area of the Palace. Maj. Bajrang Bali started engaging the Lankan security guards with his submachine gun and assault rifle as the remaining three commandos used the distraction to make their escape from the Palace. The sudden assault within the Palace compound and the loss of security brought the entire Palace to high alert. As teams of security guards reported being attacked and falling silent, Col. Akshay Kumar, son of Generalissimo Ravan and chief of Palace Security raced towards the attacker.

The exceptionally skilled Maj. Bajrang Bali however started taking out a heavy toll on the Palace Guard forces. Seemingly invincible, his torrent of bullets crushed the defending force like stalk by thresher. An expert in Close Quarter Combat, Maj. Bali had long switched to Lankan assault rifles scavenged from the dead security guards as he started mowing his way to the Administrative Area, where he knew Ravana would be staying.

Enraged at the destruction meted out to his elite soldiers by this intruder, Col. Akshay Kumar pounced upon Maj. Bajrang and disarmed him of his rifle. Gunless the two ace soldiers started hand to hand combat, however the prowess of Col. Kumar was found to be wanting as he met his death at the strong hands of Maj. Bali. The ferocity of Maj. Bali and the death of their senior officer caused the Palace Guards to panic.

Saddened and enraged at the news of the death of his son, Ravan sent forth his eldest son Brig. Gen. Indrajit to take care of the intruder. Brig. Gen. Indrajit, the Commander of Lanka Special Forces galvanized the Palace Guards into action from retreat and started advancing upon Maj. Bajrang Bali.

By this time Maj. Bajrang had gained an adequate picture of the defenses but now realized that if he continued his attacks in this manner, Ravan may escape from the Palace and his effort would be futile. Only chance to meet him would be to surrender now. Feinting an injury, Maj. Bajrang fell to the ground yelling in pain. When Indrajit and other Palace Guards came near Bajrang, he became seemingly unconscious.

Cuffed and chained, Bajrang Bali was brought before Generalissimo Ravan who was in a towering fury at the death of his son and extensive damage to his Palace.

Sensing that he is now in the presence of Ravan, Bajrang Bali acted gaining his senses.

"Who are you, soldier? Why the hell are you here," Ravan barked at the bound prisoner before him.

"I am Major Bajrang Bali, envoy from Prince Ram and King Sugreev. I am here to command you to return Lady Sita with full honor to Prince Ram and beg them for forgiveness, pending which you and your unholy nation would be destroyed and razed to ground."

"What temerity! Are you not aware of your position, you fool? It is you, who has to beg for my forgiveness. As for Ram, all I can say to his ultimatum is "MEH". Now bow and beg for forgiveness, you insolent cur. Though you killed my son, I recognize valor and skill where I see it. Bow before me and you shall get a swift death, worthy of a soldier. Else you shall be dishonored before you are killed. Bow now," Ravan roared.

"Hell shall freeze over, before I bow before you," Bajrang Bali replied.

"Oh , is it? Then I guess I shall make things pretty hot enough for you," Ravan said with a cold sneer.

At his orders Maj. Bajrang Bali had himself strapped with a vest of plastic explosives with a timed detonator, timed to explode in 5 minutes. But far from being scared, Bajrang Bali said, "You know, you are really going to regret doing this."

Saying this, he broke free the cuffs restraining him and ran out to the bay window near him.

Ravan looked in shock as the commando jumped out of the window from a height of 10 storeys. It was then that he heard the dull roar of the turboprop engines of the GH44 as it soared by the palace. The hackers of MARUT Force had really done their job and the LANKA LAXMI defense network was totally skewed and utilizing the confusion the GH44 now with the full MARUT Force sans Maj. Bajrang in it soared by the baywindow nearest the radio tag denoting Bajrang Bali. The slight chirp on his ear radio, had made Bajrang aware that the aircraft was nearby and it was at the signal from the pilot that he had made his jump.

Now caught and pulled aboard the aircraft by two of his fellow commandos, Bajrang Bali tore off the explosive vest.

"All set, guys?"
"Oh yes, waiting for your GO, Sir,"
"Excellent," Maj. Bajrang said while throwing out the explosive vest. As the countdown timer came to zero, the vest landed in the helicopter hangar of the Palace where about 5 helicopters were at standby. The fireball of their explosion was accompanied by a series of explosions that rent up the night sky of Lanka.

The MARUT Force had placed explosives at various strategic locations, like power transmission towers, fuel bunkers and had placed remotely fired RPG nests targeting various radar and communication buildings in and around Lanka. However the biggest conflagration came from the explosions targeting the LPG distribution pipeline of the city which after being hacked by MARUT Hackers and strategically attacked by the MARUT Force, started a massive fire that engulfed nearly the whole of the city. Using this immense confusion, the HNMN142 successfully escaped from Lanka.

The burning skyline of Lanka, the magnificent city of Ravan, heralded the destruction that would soon follow.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 12 May 2011 23:03

Good one Gokulji.

manju · Post by **manju** » 13 May 2011 06:38

ramana wrote:A commentary on Bhagavatam on the question Why Marry?

Excellent dialogue ...

On a lighter note
Quoting this from the above link

Suka says: Sir, ......................... Marriage will make me a slave. Even a prisoner in chain has hopes of freedom, but there is no escape for a married person

Folks can use this quote in the Love and Marriage Dhaaaga. I guess I have not hope!! I recommend that it be read in full...

niran · Post by **niran** » 13 May 2011 07:30

RamaY wrote:
The best comparison is story of Uttana Pada (Dhruva).

When his step mother tells him that "he cannot sit on his father's lap because he is born not to her but his mother who is unlucky and is not a favorite of the king".

When Uttana Pada asks her mother, Sumati, about it; she doesn't complain. She agrees with the above logic: "Yes my boy, your mother is unlucky when it comes to husband's love. You could have avoided this fate if you were born to your step mother. But the reality is that you are born to me. Now it is upto you to decide whether you cry about it or earn your rightful place thru hardwork".

When Uttana Pada asks her what to do? Sumati replies "All these materialistic titles are based on your karma. Go pray for Vishnu who gives everyone what they deserve".

It made Dhruva out of Uttana Pada.

minor editing needed Saar, Uttan Paad was the King Dhruv was the Son and he remained Dhruv throughout.