Shri Ajeet Singh

(We present an article ‘World Television Day’ on the eve of  World Television Day – 21st November  written by Shri  Ajeet  Singh ji, Director (News), Doordarshan. We are extremely thankful to Shri Ajeet Singh ji for this informative and well researched article based on his experience.) 

☆ World Television Day ☆ Shri Ajeet Singh☆ 

This day let’s ponder over the impact television now has on our personal, familial, social and political life.

Not going into the well known history of this audio visual medium, suffice to say that it has gradually changed our lives in a big way. It cut down our time for Radio, cinema and print media significantly.

TV started making real impact in America and European countries in fifties of the last century. The first Presidential debates in 1960 between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon marked the moment that the television had arrived.

In India the impact came in early eighties through 9th Asian Games, introduction of colour TV, and then the serial saga through Hum Log, Ramayan and Mahabharat. By mid-nineties came the private television and the Doordarshan started losing the race both in entertainment segment of serials and the news segment. It soon became a mad race even among the private networks, each trying to beat the other through sensational contents and even by rigging the TRPs for a bigger pie in the advertisement revenue.

The cut throat race continues.

My personal feeling is that television has in this process made us passive consumers of its contents. It has even polarised the community on communal and political lines.

There was a time when films united the country. Those made Hindi as the most spoken and understood language. In its early days, Television too performed that role through its films and film-based programmes and live sports especially cricket.

In the last decade or so, television news seems to have become more popular than serials. Of 800 odd television channels in India, about half cater to news. Prime time is a big circus on most of the news channels.

We remain passive consumers.

Will television continue to play overwhelming or even dominant role in entertaining the masses and as educator and information provider?

I don’t think so. In last about five years or so,

A new technology has brought on the scene a new mass media called social media. It has already started impacting the television. Now I devote equal, if not more, time to social media than the television. The smartphone technology has made television as just one of its many adjuncts. There is also smart television and OTT content, all available on smartphones. Television gave us what a channel thought the best for us. Of course, we could change channels but we could not always have the contents we specifically wanted. Google on smartphones has widened the area of our choice astronomically.

Social media has made every citizen a reporter. He won’t stand sermonising of different hues any more. He has a take on anything and everything. That makes social media a better two-way communication medium. Its reach and audience are huge. Facebook has 180 crore subscribers. If people only make a country, then Facebook is the biggest country of the world.

Social media gives rise to communities and identities of big and small sizes that television and other mass media sought to rollover.

This way social media makes us active and discreet consumers of contents. This is a major point social media scores over television.

These are my stray thoughts on this World Television Day.

We have a galaxy of television watchers in our group.

Will they enlighten us ? Waiting to hear.

©  Shri Ajeet Singh 

Ex Director (News) Doordarshan

Mo. – 9466647037

≈  Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Mr Ashish Kumar

(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing.  He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized.  I am sure you will be also amazed.  We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book  “Samudramanthanam” .  According to Mr Ashish  “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and take references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.”  Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)    

Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam 

☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 16 – Ear  Rings ☆ 

On bright evening of Kartika maas, Krishna paksha Asthmi or Ahoi asthmai evening, churning was on decent pace.

A servant came in between, offered  salute to Brahma, and all the sages, and also to Suras and Asura and made himself to stand comfortably at the place from where he can communicate to all perfectly. Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are not actually all time physically present at the site of churning of ocean means at ‘Kshirasāgara’ but they keep coming as and when required. Only Brahma from Trimurtis was present there all the time.

So that servant said, “All the holder and sustainer of universe, two mothers, mother of Sura or Devtas or Adityas ‘Aditi’ and mother of Asuras or Danavas or Rakshasas ‘Diti’ wants to see this churning. So, they sent  me to take permission of Lord Brahma, his husband great kashyapa rishi and all other great sages including Saptarishis”

Lord Brahmas said, “it will be delightful for both the mothers to watch their children playing game of churning of ocean together although both mothers sons have different qualities just opposite to each other. And also, both mothers will help us to make peace when Sura and Asura do arguement or fight together. Our permission to bring them here with all respect but most important is permission of their husband sage ‘kashyapa’ is required.”

Sage Kashyapa said, “My father Brahma, you desire and command is order for me. Indeed, I was thinking over it to invite both the mothers. O! Noble servant go to the gate of palace of both mothers Devi ‘Aditi’ and Devi ‘Diti’ and tell their females servants about the command of Lord Brahma and our desire”

After some time two seats  were placed for two mothers on which ‘Aditi’ the mother of Sura and ‘Diti’ the mother of Asura were now watching the great churning of ocean ‘Kshirasāgara’.

Now both the team started churning again. This time ‘Indira’ and ‘Bali’ doing with proper tameness. Main focus of both the kings is keep in mind that their mothers and common father were watching them.

Soon a sound like some metal collided with rock came and both ‘Bali’ and ‘Indira’ fell from their place. Other Sura moved forward to hold ‘Indira’ similarly some Asura ran fast to hold ‘Bali’. After making themselves comfortable over a place of rock at one side of ‘Kshirasāgara’ both ‘Indira’ and ‘Bali’ saw that a big ring of most precious metal and gems are fixed and jam around their foots.

One Sura from Indira side and one Asura from Bali side hold legs of Indira and Bali respectively and remove those rings from their foot and kept them aside.

Bali asked from Lord Brahma, “Brahma are these two rings also the outcomes of churning or just came at my and Indira foots like a waste of ocean”

Before a single word is said by Brahma soon an image appears from ocean. It was the god of ‘Kshirasāgara’ himself, who arrived from ocean for special propose. ‘Kshirasāgara’ saluted to all the respected people present there and then said, “All of you, those two rings are our gift to the Goddess ‘Aditi’. We want to donate them to her.”

As ‘Kshirasāgara’ said these words soon those two rings fly in sky and reached  near goddess ‘Aditi’ ears. ‘Aditi’ slightly down her head to accept both the rings. Then both the rings go and fixed on the ears.

It was insult for ‘Diti’ that god of ‘Kshirasāgara’ given ear rings to ‘Aditi’ and not to ‘Diti’. She left that place with anger and behind her Aditi also left that place.

Then ‘Bali’ said from anger, “this ocean has done insult of my mother. I’ll will burn it and make it lifeless. Also till now this ocean is doing partiality and we haven’t received any gift from him as an outcome of churning. We are accepting all challenges and making all our efforts to make this churning successful but it seems to me that this churning is only to give advantages to Sura and Indira only”

After saying this ‘Bali’ do concentration and soon a very deadly weapon come at the hand of him. He was about to throw that over ocean ‘Kshirasāgara’ no one is able to stop him. All People present there go to panic.

Soon a hand stops the hand of ‘Bali’ to throw that deadly weapon over ocean.

© Ashish Kumar

New Delhi

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Mr Ashish Kumar

(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing.  He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized.  I am sure you will be also amazed.  We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book  “Samudramanthanam” .  According to Mr Ashish  “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and take references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.”  Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)    

Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam 

☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 15 – Varunai ☆ 

It is bright morning of Kartik month Kirshna paksha fourth Tithi means day of Karva Chautha. Gentle breeze was blowing over ‘Kshirasāgara’ and churning was going on. Asuras were again doing it with hope that gems which will now emerge surely deserve them because till now they have got nothing.

Slowly smell of that place started to tuning passionate than charming. With each passing time Suras and Asuras started vacillating here and there. Then started dancing. They have lost their grip over Naga Vasuki body, from which his body fell over ocean liquid with sound of Chappak, splash. All Suras and Asuras got wet from this sudden splash of ‘Kshirasāgara’ liquid.

They all were dancing when saw a beautiful damsel emerge from ‘Kshirasāgara’. She was looking so pretty. Her body color was dark transparent brown. She has smiling face. Her ornaments were of white and light color. She has light green color hairs long enough and having yellowish eyes. Intoxication was flowing from her eyes. All Devtas and Danvas means Sura and Asura were losing their senses after seeing this beauty.

King of Asura ‘Bali’ ask from that beautiful lady, “O! divine beauty who are you? Are you incarnation of Goddess Gauri or Kali? or essence of this ‘Kshirasāgara’. We all Sura and Asura losing our sense after seeing your beauty. Please give us your identity”

That beautiful lady start saying, “King of Asura and all of you I am the goddess of toxin. My name is ‘Sura’ because I am the essence of Sura or demigods to whom you are doing this churning of ‘Kshirasāgara’. Actually, I am root of Suras desires and their ego which make them arrogant. Due to which they started thinking that all the affairs are run by them and not by Lord Vishnu. I am goddess of all the liquids who makes people lose their senses. I am in wine and all types of alcohol. Do you know the meaning of name of ‘Indira’? it means one whose Indriyas, senses are always engaging outer world towards different subjects. I am responsible to make Soma, the favorite drink of ‘Indira’ toxify which makes loose of control of ‘Indira’ over his senses. From many years you all are doing this churning of ‘Kshirasāgara’ because of it all your desires which is actually most toxin in this world come into liquid of ocean and I was born out of it. I have basic incarnation of Goddess Kali. Because I was born from the properties of Sura so got name ‘Sura’ means opposite of Asura”

King of Asura Bali said, “O! goddess you are born from the toxins of Suras or Devtas so you must be need to come at our side”

Goddess Sura said, “Great Bali, Asuras are all having dominating tamas Guna or property of nature. And toxin is also of tamas quality so if I’ll come your side then it will increase your negativity and restlessness”

Lord Brahma said, “I think best companion for Goddess ‘Sura’ is Devta of salty water Varuna. What you all have to say?”

Before Indira the custody of whole water of universe including sweet and rain water was in the hand of ‘Varuna’ and also at that time the king of heaven was ‘Varuna’, but Indira has done some trick to make Lord Brahma believe that Indira will be better king of Devtas than ‘Varuna’ so the kingdom of heaven as well as rights of Rain and sweet water was given to ‘Indira’. from that day ‘Varuna’ like to enjoy company of Asura more than Sura.

So, Bali said to Brahma, “you are right. I think Varuna will be good husband for goddess ‘Sura’”

Then ‘Varuna’ accepted goddess of toxins, wine and all types of alcohols ‘Sura’ as his wife.

Brahma said, “from today’s onward Goddess Sura will be called ‘Varunai’.

Asura are still sad and little angry because till date they haven’t got anything out of churning of ocean ‘Kshirasāgara’.

© Ashish Kumar

New Delhi

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Mr Ashish Kumar

(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing.  He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized.  I am sure you will be also amazed.  We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book  “Samudramanthanam” .  According to Mr Ashish  “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and take references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.”  Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)    

Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam 

☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 14 – Chandra ☆ 

 All the activities over earth are going very normal and as routine because all the demigods and Asura, Rakshasa were busy in the churning of ‘Kshirasāgara’.

Now both teams started churning again with full enthusiasm and passion because they feel and advised by great saptarishi that they are almost at halfway of churning and almost all hurdles in churning is over and now difficult part is left behind.

Bright very bright white color rays started visible from ocean. It was like all the white color of ‘Kshirasāgara’ combined and concentrated on single location. It is like magic for the members of both the teams. Team of Sura and team of Asura felt very good from inside. A sudden feel of energy makes happy Sura and Asura. They all were energetic now.

Sage Atri said, “O! this is our son moon who has left this world. It is good sign for humanity. He started shine again on day of Sharad Purnima”

Bali said to Atri, “Nobel soul, can you please describe us whole Leela, play of moon birth and life and also reason of his disappearing”

Atri said, ”Tirmurtis, the three supreme Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva disguised as monks, came to test Anasuya, my wife and demanded that she feed them milk from her breasts. The great Anasuya with her spiritual powers got to know the truth and turned those three gods into babies and feed them as they desired. Immensely pleased and impressed with Anasuya, Lords of the universe blessed her to have great children. Shiva’s blessing caused the birth of Durvasas rishi, Vishnu’s blessing resulted in the birth of Dattatreya, and Brahma’s boon caused the Moon’s birth.

My son moon was then worshipped by all the celestials. He later married the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha, the father in law of Lord Shiva also and they were none other than twenty-seven constellations or nakshatras. Out of his twenty-seven wives Moon preferred only Rohini, and always remained with her. Other twenty-six sisters pleaded Moon to spend equal time with all of them. But Moon ignored them and with no option left these twenty-six sisters complained to their father, Daksha, who tried twice to reason with Moon, his son in law, but Moon ignored it as well. Daksha then lost his temper and cursed the Moon to suffer with consumption.

Every day the Moon started to wane, losing his glow and no remedy could cure him. The gods also got alarmed at the possibility life on Earth will be affected without Moon, approached Daksha and asked him to modify his curse so that life continues on Earth. Daksha then modified his curse on condition that Moon has to spend one day with each of his wives and that will affect him for fourteen days and in next fourteen days he will gain back his form. Thus, the Moon now waxes and wanes in cycle of twenty-seven days and he visits each of his wife once a month, for one day. Moon had no children by his twenty-seven wives, but he has four sons by another wife, named Manohara. But most famous son of the Moon is the planet Mercury. For this moon fall on depression and lost his luster and shine. Then he decided to do scarify and concentration at the base of ‘Kshirasāgara’. Now his ardor is competed and now he is emerging as an outcome of this churning with more brightness, energy and calmness in this day of Sharad Purnima. Which is start season of winters in north hemisphere”

© Ashish Kumar

New Delhi

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Dr. Rashi Sinha

(Today we present Dr. Rashi Sinha’s thought provoking article “Feminism and Voice of Feminist Writers in Indian English Literature; An Analysis”.)

Abstract:

Feminism is not a term but a belief that women are strongest creation, and again this is a movement to change the way the world perceives that strength. A movement, against this patriarchal society which talks about inequality between man and woman. In fact, this is an advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of equality and gender both in family as well as in society. However, with development of time, Feminism in India has been established through Indian English literature, though it travelled in three phases (mid 19th, 2nd phase from 1915 to Indian Independence and the 3rd is from post Independence to the running era). The women in India, who were thirsty to break all the barriers to give a full shape to their womanhood, came with their full literary contribution. Today, in Indian English Literature, these feminists writers are successfully projecting the existing social inequality with their different techniques, styles, and trends in their Novels, short stories etc. This paper is well focused on how in Indian English Literature, these feminist writers have dealt with feminism and other gender issues to support the feminist goals of establishing and defending their equal rights in every nook and corner of the society and families too.

Keywords: Feminism, womanhood, feminist movement, social inequality

The term Feminism, has a wide philosophical theory. Hence, it is difficult to identify in a single sentence. In fact, feminism defines how women are accepted as equal in all respect to men in sharing, defines how women are accepted as equal in all respect to men in sharing equality in every rights, opportunities and responsibilities. So, in literary terms, feminism is identified as the liberation of woman from the  social taboos and the dominance of male.

Feminism is nothing but a concept of Womanhood which talks how in this patriarchal society, women are forced to, behave traditionally in a subdued manner. In its history, this womanhood  has travelled in three phases of classifications, from the awareness of women’s rights to the protest for this and then in the final phase, to get individual identity; thus, going revolutionary against the established patriarchal society.

Those who fought for these rights vociferously, were called the feminists. These feminists gave rise to feminist writers in Indian English literature. With the advent of these feminist writers like Anita Desai, Kamala Markanday, Kamala Das, Nayantara Sahgal, Jhabwala, Rama Mehta, Gita Mukherjee, Jhumpa Lahiri and Shashi Deshpande, including male feminist writers like R. K. Narayana, Khushwant Singh and Amitabh Ghosh etc. these writers have played a vital role in voicing the feminism. They deliberately chose the theme of women sufferings and brilliantly highlighted it through the agony of their female protagonists.

The feminist movement produced feminist fictions, feminist nonfictions and feminist ‘s poetry which created new interests in women’s writing. It also prompted a general revaluation of women’s historical and academic contribution in response to the belief the women’s lives. But their effort, though worthy of  congratulations, has been under presented as are their scholarly interests”.¹

The voices of feminism with reference to the work of the feminist Indian English Writers:

Nayantara Sahgal

Nayantara Sahgal often writes on issue of feminism. In her every piece of writing, she sees women as a victim of this traditional and conventional Indian society, where women are engaged in searching their individual identity. As a writer with feminine concern, Miss Sahgal often describes the sufferings of women caused  by man woman relationship in the traditional society of India. “As a writer with feminist concerns, Nayantara Sahgal is a progeny of the tradition where in power itself is defined as Goddess ‘Shanti, a female symbol. Her theme is often combined to the theme of man woman relationship, their marital problems, their  temperament, incompatibility,

the problem arising out of their submissiveness and finally the place  women in society.

As a feminist , she has voiced the women inner and outer sufferings by classifying them into two groups; the one who faces problems in seeking happiness and acceptance in an Orthodox Hindu family and the women belong to the second  group suffers lot to adjust in male dominance. In  “The Day of Shadow”, she gives a sensitive account of  the sufferings of middle aged divorced woman Simrit. By defending the attitude of Som, as a husband. ‘Be tough, Be Winner’s, Sahgal shows how patriarchal attitude is  smashing the woman inside and giving a way to missing link of married life.²

To show women’s inalienable right of freedom, she has not only portrayed many of the characters only but has also used language as a tool of define this. Her, characters such as Simrit, in Shadow, Sarij, Storm in Chandigarh, Rashmi, In the Times Morning and Maya in A Time to Be Happy Sahgal seen deeply concerned with the need of women freedom.

Anita Desai

The writers of many novels, short stories, and children book as a keen observer, miss Desai has explored the problems and chief cause behind the estrangement of the women and their families. In her first novel, Cry, the Peacock, she has very well explained how Maya, the main protagonist felt ignored and oppressed in her family by her practical husband Gautama. In, Voices of  the city, Monisha loneliness and sterility stress of living in a joint family, facing too much traditionalism makes her alienated and aloof in family. In her, next novel  Fire on the mountain, she has tried to explain how a woman is treated as a useful object only. This novel grapples with the theme of women sufferings due to lack of communication and lack of understanding. In this novel, she has well depicted how a woman even after being a center part of family, always engaged in raising the family and discharging the duties of mother, housewife and hostess, but no one cares for her. Even in her own home her entity is ignored. In every creation of her, Desai shows the women characters sufferings from inner psyche. Every characters of her, guided by fear, guilt, aggression, chasing for their individuality and existence in family. Even in many of her stories, a women is given primary importance and her relationship with man, in many cases the relationship with husband is most touched upon

Shashi Deshpande

Shashi Deshpande, Author of many novels, four volumes of short stories and number of children books has very subtly voiced the frustrations of women, generated by the process of oppression and gender discrimination. In family and male centered society. In her  novels like The Dark Holds No Terrors, Roots and the Shadows, That Long Silence, The Binding Vine, A Matter of Time, and Come Up and Be Dead etc. She has explained how women of the age of 70s to till this age are forced to suffer this social taboos, old beliefs and superstitions of the society. By portraying, modern educated and career oriented middle class women she shows the identity denial of women in the traditional, male centered joint families and society. In the plot of her novels, we see a change corresponding to the change in contemporary society. In describing the plight of women she has told us the height of disaster where in joint family the freedom of woman was confined to a wall by the woman of traditional n conventional temperament. The women consciousness of Deshpande has not come by reading but from their Self-experience, once to consider herself feminist she admits:

“I know I have no doubt at all in saying that  I am a feminist. In my life mean but not consciously as a novelist. I must also say that my feminism has come to me very slowly, very gradually and mainly out of my own thinking and experiences and feelings. I started  writing first and only then discovered my feminism”.³

Kamla Markanday

This brilliant, post-independent, feminist writer has given a bold attempt in giving voice to the disappointment and sufferings of women, “Kamala Markanday represents the beginning of early feminist aspirations in Indian English Writing. The Primary enquiries of modern feminism try to describe the strength of other sex. The feminists describe woman as a one half of the sky. This ideology is revolving because it is against status quo”.⁴  In revealing the early roots of the secondary status of the women of the country, she portrayed the protagonist like Rukmani Mira, Premala, Nalini, Lalitha and Sarojini etc. In searching the self assertion and self-affirmation, her heroine of these novels; like, Some Inner Fury, Possession, A Silence of Desire, A Handful of Rice, Two Virgins and Nectar in a Sieve, travel a lot from self -denial to self-assertion.

Conclusion

These feminists of India have raised their voices to show the sufferings of women at  this male centered society. These feminists have shown how the traditional roles of ‘women in society’s and ‘women in family’ bring frustrations in their lives. By explaining the helplessness of inner psyche of the protagonists, these writers say, how the  situation of a woman is set on a paradox, because at the one hand, a woman is at the peak of  the success, climbing the ladder of it, but on the other hand at home she is mutely tolerating denial and rejections. The feminists have justified their role in both ways, as they have chosen the theme of feminists and as a technique handled this very beautifully too. They have fully justified to unmask the, instances of social exploration, revolt and violence of any age of the women in society which left incredible imprint on the readers like us.

References

1. /ab Bain Virginia; Clements Patricia Grunfy :Isobel(1990) The Feminist Companion to Literature in English Women Writers from the Middle Ages to the Present. New Haven: Yale University press pp. Vii ISBN78 0-300-04854-4.
2. Asnani Shyam M. Portrayal of Man-Woman Relationship in the Novels of Nayantara Sahgal. Kakatiya Journal of English Studies 3-1(1978) ;151-160-priat
3. Sue Dickman, “In Conversation: Sue Dickman With Indian Woman Writers”; The Book Review, Vo 19,No.4April (1995), p. 32
4. “New Light on Women in English, Vol iv, p. 8

© Dr. Rashi Sinha 

Nawada, Bihar

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Mr Ashish Kumar

(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing.  He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized.  I am sure you will be also amazed.  We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book  “Samudramanthanam” .  According to Mr Ashish  “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and take references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.”  Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)    

Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam 

☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 13 – Sharanga ☆ 

Churning of ‘Kshirasāgara’ was continue from long time. Naga Vasuki is feeling tired now. Now his body movement was losing synchronization with efforts and directions of Sura and Asura.

At the other end mount Mandara was also feeling pain in its body some creaks also start appeared over its skin.

A sound of something like big rock break come and a part which is large in length side started separating from mount Mandara vertically.

At the very same time Naga Vasuki started losing its upper body skin called exuviae (it is very special property of snakes and some other insects).

The breaking part of mount Mandara and Vasuki’s upper skin combined and took a shape of bow. Yes, the mount Mandara sharp long slightly bent in between making its limbs and skin of Vasuki Naga made its bow string. That biggest bow of the world started falling in ‘Kshirasāgara’. All Sura and Asura started running here and there to save themselves from that falling bow.

The Bow fall over ‘Kshirasāgara’ with high sound and from that force, liquid splash from ‘Kshirasāgara’ raise above and fall over northeast and southeast part of earth and created north and south poles.

Now situation was difficult, all Sura and Asura combined together and started thinking that how to remove this biggest bow from ‘Kshirasāgara’? So that churning can be started again.

First, many Suras tried to hold that but no one got success. Then king of Sura ‘Indira’ come to pick that bow. He tried with his whole strength but was unable to move that from its position.

Then Bali come to join Indra but they didn’t got success. At the end all Sura and Asura combined together to pick and throw that bow away but all efforts were waste.

© Ashish Kumar

New Delhi

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Mr Ashish Kumar

(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing.  He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized.  I am sure you will be also amazed.  We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book  “Samudramanthanam” .  According to Mr Ashish  “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and take references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.”  Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)    

Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam 

☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 12 – Airavata ☆ 

Another round of churning started. This time both teams Suras and Asuras were doing it with calm mind. Bali the king of Asura thought in his mind “I am satisfied with what I have means kingdom of underworld but my other Asura friends and our guru ‘Sukrachrya’ are not satisfied. Sukra says we need to increase our power so that we can permanently dominate over heaven and Sura”

In other hand Sura king ‘Indra’ is thinking “as Lord Vishnu given us surety that liquid of immortality comes as an end product of this churning which will make all Suras Immortal. But when amrita comes from ocean; will we be able to drink it alone? We have to be careful about it”

Soon sound of trumpet come and mount Mandara start tilt in left side. All were worried. Four elephants in four direction started to come down from space and start raining from their tusk.

Then suddenly mount Mandara fall one side in ocean and a huge elephant started to come up in the upper layer of ‘Kshirasāgara’.  O! it is ‘Airavata’ who once taken ocean support due to anger and disappointment when sage ‘Durvasa’ given crush to ‘Indra’.

Yes, Airavata who was once Indra mount emerge from ocean with very large body and having seven trunks. Indra in wonder because before his ‘Airavata’ go to ocean he contains only single trunk.

Indra said, “O! Gajaraja, king of elephants welcome back I was like lifeless without you, come again and be my mount.

Gajraja Airavata said, “King, I was not disrepair because of Sage ‘Durvasa’ curse but because of your arrogance.  O! king of Sura and now I can’t live in heaven whose king is “Indra’ better is I’ll live here in this ‘Kshirasāgara’.

Indra replied, “You fool, are you forget that you are talking to king of Swarga, heaven the great ‘Indra’.”

Lord Vishnu appear again and said, “Indra duty of a king is to protect and serve his people and subject not to be served by them. Your arrogance is increasing with flow of everchanging time. The words which were said by Gajraja Airavata are on our instructions, just to check your patience and ego. I am sorry Indra but you lost in this test. Now I have to consult with Brahma, Shiva and other great sage to make someone else like ‘Varuna’ as a king of Heaven”

After listening this a smile emerge on the face of ‘Varuna’.

Indra fall in the feet of Lord Vishnu and said “God please doesn’t do this and keep mercy on me. You can understand my situation. This churning making me restless. In one end waiting for amrita I am losing my senses on other hand we have to do this churning with our born rivals Asura who are already attack over us when we go there to do planning of this churning. Above all this, there is a most important thing of my angriness is on the behavior of ‘Airavata’ himself”

King of Asura Bali said, “Lord of universe I think you are right it is time to change the king of heaven. Now affairs of heaven must be given in to the hands of Asura. I as a king of Asura take vow that I will run worldly affairs which is managed by heaven with whole honesty. Indira said some Asura have attack over them when they are our guest but he hasn’t mention that I as the king of Asura has killed that Asura by my own hands who attacked over our guests. Also till now we didn’t get anything from this churning of ‘Kshirasāgara’, so Gajraja Airavata belongs to Asura”

© Ashish Kumar

New Delhi

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Mr Ashish Kumar

(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing.  He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized.  I am sure you will be also amazed.  We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book  “Samudramanthanam” .  According to Mr Ashish  “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and take references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.”  Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)    

Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam 

 ☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 11 – Shankha ☆ 

This churning was going on and on from many hundreds of years with many repeat cycles of human year ages. Now again in another cycle of time according to human year a day of the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in Shraavana or Bhadrapad (depending on whether the calendar chooses the new moon or full moon day as the last day of the month) come. It is the day on which in Dwapra yuga Lord Krishna was born. Yes, it is day of Krishna Janmasthmi.

Lord Brahma said to Narada muni, “Narada it is not right both of my children Sura and Asura are doing argue and fight on small things. It seems to me like they will end life of each other before completing of ‘Kshirasāgara’ churning and before amrita, liquid of immortality appears from this ocean. Is any way so that the distribution of gems which will emerge from this churning is fair enough without any fight?”

Narada said, “Narayana Narayana Narayana, my father almost all the gods, demigods, sage etc. are participating in this churning directly or indirectly except two, one is teacher of Suras Devguru ‘Brihaspati’ and other is teacher of Asura ‘Sukra’. Sura can’t deny command of ‘Brihaspati’ and Asura of ‘Sukra’”

Brahma said, “Narada muni, what a great idea you have suggested. Thank you. We will our self-go to Brihaspati and Sukra to bring them here”

After many requests of Lord Brahma, ‘Brihaspati’ and ‘Sukra’ finally ready to take charge of mentors of Churning of ocean from Sura and Asura side respectively.

Auspicious day of on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in Shraavana, churning was on its peak around dusk time a sound like rocks collide with each other comes from the base of ‘Kshirasāgara’.

Both Sura and Asura jump from excitement. Some of them exclaimed something big and powerful is about to emerge from ocean.

Suddenly a big ‘Shankha’ conch start seeing over mouth Mandara peak.

© Ashish Kumar

New Delhi

≈  Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Mr Ashish Kumar

(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing.  He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized.  I am sure you will be also amazed.  We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book  “Samudramanthanam” .  According to Mr Ashish  “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and take references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.”  Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)    

Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam 

 ☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 10 – Kaustubha☆ 

Now Sura were doing Churning with confidence and happiness as they got all the apsaras who were emerging from ocean ‘Kshirasāgara’ for their heaven at the other hand Asura are frustrated and now they are applying more force in churning.

It is the day of ‘Naga panchmi’ when many Naga and other creature of similar clan grouping around many places near the churning. They have come to do prayer for their God Naga “Vasuki’ who is doing his duty to help Sura and Asura to make impossible churning of ‘Kshirasāgara’ possible.

Soon Sura and Asura saw that something like millions of suns shining, started shining from the ocean which they were churning. They were unable to look towards that direction and all have to close their eyes.

Other sages and Bahram also wonder about this bright shine. Then soon that shining turned to little smooth so that Sura and Asura can able to look in that direction.

They saw many Nagas coming out of the ocean who hold a big shining stone over their head. Yes, it was the most beautiful gem of world, a gem in front of that all diamond, ruby etc. are nothing but simply stones.

They Naga go up and up in sky and placed that precious gem of universe over the hood head of their god Naga ‘Vasuki’.

Vasuki said, “Thank you for this honor but I doesn’t deserve this because I am the necklace of the neck of a sanyasi. So, I didn’t required this”

Vasuki given a small jerk to his head to keep down that precious stone name ‘Kaustubha’ over ‘Kshirasāgara’.

As ‘Kaustubh’ fall from the head of Vasuki soon king of Sura ‘Indra’ and king of Asura ‘Bali’ fly in the sky and both hold that together in their hands.

‘Indra’ trying to pull that most bright gem ‘Kaustubha’ towards him and other hand ‘Bali’ is trying to pull that towards him.

Bali given a sudden jerk and grip of ‘Indra’ lost and soon ‘Kaustubha’ fall in the hands of ‘Bali’ then Bali said to Indra, “Indra you have got all the apsaras as the wives of many Gandharva. Now this is our turn, this ‘Kaustubha’ will look good only on the crown of Asura king”

© Ashish Kumar

New Delhi

≈  Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Mr Ashish Kumar

(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing.  He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized.  I am sure you will be also amazed.  We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book  “Samudramanthanam” .  According to Mr Ashish  “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and take references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.”  Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)    

Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam 

 ☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 9 – Apsaras ☆ 

 After deadly and poisonous spell of churning of ‘Kshirasāgara’ now Sura and Asura started churning with less interest. They are doing churning with less speed this time.

As they progress, liquid of ‘Kshirasāgara’ started turning to transparent and crystal clear. Soon environment there started to be pleasant and different kinds of smells started appearing from ocean. All sixteen types of sense engaging smells are flowing all around. All Suras and Asura started losing their sense. All of sudden they stop churning and liquid of ‘Kshirasāgara’ rise up in the sky and divided into sixteen direction and start turning into beautiful female sprits. Those all are ‘Apsaras’ means creature of ‘Ap’ or liquid of different types.

King of Sura were looking them without blinking. Those all sixteen apsaras are most beautiful possible females of all sixteen types of liquids. This is the auspicious day of autumn arriving. It is the day of festival ‘Teej’.

It ilooks like nature is dancing with those sixteen apsaras.

Those were Urvasi, Menaka, Rambha, Tilottama, Ghritachi, Manjukesi, Sukesi, Misrakesi, Sulochana, Saudamini, Devadatta, Devasena, Manorama, Sudati, Sundai, Vigagdha. These sixteen main apsaras appear from ‘Kshirasāgara’ and started dancing. Some other apsaras also appear with main apsaras who were secondary of main sixteen apsaras or means generated from the mixture of sixteen main essence in different ratios. These were Vividha,  Budha, Sumala, Santati, Sunanda, Sumukhi, Magadhi, Arjuni, Sarala, Kerala, Dhrti, Nanda, Supuskala, Supuspamala and Kalabha.

The main apsaras Urvasi is actually essence of Rose flower liquid.

Menaka is of Jasmine flower liquid.

Rambha is of Marigold.

Tilottama is of Lavender.

Ghritachi is of Sugarcane.

Manjukesi is of Coconut.

Sukesi is of Betel leaves pan.

Misrakesi is of Kasturi.

Sulochana is of Lemon.

Saudamini is of Basil.

© Ashish Kumar

New Delhi

≈  Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈