The Secret of Pandora : THE LOCATION OF HEAVEN as in the Abrahamic Texts

In this particular blog, we will try to analyze the Abrahamic texts such as the Jewish Torah , the New Testament or the Christian Bible and the Islamic Quran. We will try to identify the location mentioned as Heaven in these 3 Abrahamic texts. Here at the outset , I do inform that we will need to closely understand how the current mis-interpretation of the Abrahamic texts have resulted in a Special Place called Heaven somewhere in the skies . In reality however the texts are pointing all of us to a secret location on this Planet itself. Don't they say that "Heaven is a Place on Earth ". What if the Abrahamic texts are actually pointing us to this specific place , right here on Planet Earth . Let us begin on this new Journey as we try to locate the secret place on Earth , where this Abrahamic Heaven is located . 

The Biblical Texts : 

In the Jewish Torah , also in the Christian Bible as well the Islamic Quran, we are informed that at the beginning there were Adam & Eve. We will not get into the creation part of the story as shared in the Genesis account. We however will take note of the fact that , Adam & Eve are said to have lived in the Garden of Eden . There is no denying that all the 3 Abrahamic texts say so. In the Genesis account we are also informed that , 4 Rivers flowed in and out of the Garden of Eden . The 4 Rivers as mentioned in the Genesis account are as per Genesis Chapter 2 verses 10-14 : Pishon , Gihon , Chidekel ( many say the river Tigris ) and Phirat ( many say the river Euphrates )

Further , we also need to note that , in the Garden of Eden , a sin was committed by Eve, the first woman on Earth , who was made out of the rib bone of Adam himself by God , for whetever reasons . Anyways , The Abrahamic texts reveal that Adam was breathed life by God out of dust . However when it came to Eve , God for some odd reasons , decided to remove a rib bone out of Adam and create Eve , when God already had the option of creating Eve as well out of dust . But then , Our God works in mysterious ways , doesn't he ? 

Now coming back to the sin committed by Eve . The Genesis account informs us that Eve ate an Apple from The Tree of Knowledge because of a Talking Snake , you read it right , because a Talking Snake lured Eve into doing so ? God for reasons had warned Adam that nobody should eat from the Tree of Knowledge . Knowledge is very dangerous a thing. Ignorance creates more bonding with God , because ignornace and darkness are the reasons that support superstition, and without superstition , even God cannot exist . 

However , let us now reflect back to the texts itself. So far we know that :

1) Adam & Eve lived in the Garden of Eden , a Paradise on Earth.

2) 4 Rivers flowed in and out of the Garden of Eden:  Pishon , Gihon , Chidekel ( many say the river Tigris ) and Phirat ( many say the river Euphrates )

3) This particular place called Garden of Eden had Apple Trees .

Which location is the Genesis talking to us about ? We need to understand a massive point here . Apple Trees never grow in Sandy soil and requires a temperate climate . Apple trees don't grow in the deserts of Arabia or even in Egypt, known in the ancient world as Ajipati. Aji meaning Serpent . Aji comes from the Sanskrit word " Ahi " meaning Serpent . 

Now that we have found out that there is a lacuna when it comes to the Biblical texts in informing us where the Garden of Eden could be, we can atleast be sure that , This particular place is definitely not in Arabia or Egypt . Then where is THE GARDEN OF EDEN located ? 

The Swastika : 

More or less the entire world has heard if not seen The Symbol of the Swastika. While the Swastika has become a symbol associated with the Nazis , because Hitler used the symbol for his own genocidic adventure during his annihilation of the Jews of Europe . The Swastika symbol's origins are in Hinduism. 

Most Hindus including Jains and Buddhists revere the symbol of Swatika as a symbol of Good Luck and Good fortune . But the reality of the truth is entirely different . The Symbol of Swastika is actually a Geographical Location of a secret place on Earth . The Swastika is the ancient geographic map of the Place which people of the Abrahamic faiths call as " Heaven ". But where could this location be ? 

The Decent of Ganga from Heaven to her People : King Bhageeratha story

Here , first we will try to understand the Mythological part of the Hindu text, after understanding the mythological story , we will further conduct scientific analysis to understand , what this Hindu mythological account is actually trying to tell us . First the mythology . Keep in mind we are all searching for a location called Heaven and we will not quit , until we find the Location of the Swatika. 

Bhageeratha was the king of Kosala, a kingdom in ancient India. He was a descendent of the great king Sagara of the Suryavamsa, or Sun Dynasty. He was one of the forefathers of Lord Rama, of the Ramayana, the epic in which Bhageeratha’s tale is primarily recounted.

He lost his father when he was just a child, and was raised by his mother. Bhageeratha was very intelligent, virtuous and kind hearted. When he came of age, Bhageeratha ascended to the throne of the kingdom of Kosala, today located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. He was a pious, benevolent ruler who adhered to his duties as a king as prescribed by dharma.

Kapila’s Curse: 

When king Sagara chose to perform the Ashwamedha yagna, his royal agents lost track of the sacrificial horse. Sagara ordered his sixty thousand sons by Sumati to track down the horse. The proud and mercurial princes raged across Bharat, burning down forests and uprooting life and property to find the horse. They finally arrived at a quiet spot where the Sage Kapila was sitting in meditation. Besides him was tied the white horse. The enraged princes condemned Kapila as a thief and attacked him. Using his terrible mystic power, Kapila instantly turned the princes into ashes.

Another version has it that the horse was stolen by a jealous Indra who did not want the yagna to succeed, and hid it in cave where sage Kapila was meditating in order to escape being accused of the stealth.

One version has it that Kapila told the prince Anshuman, Sagara’s grandson(Son of Asamanjan, other son of Sagara who was thrown out of kingdom by him) who had come looking both for the horse and his brothers, that the only way for the souls of the dead princes could rise to heaven would be through the offering of niravapanjali with the water of the sacred Ganga river, which was flowing only in Swarga ( Heaven ).

Other version has it that Anshuman was told about the fate of his 60,000 uncles and about relief from Kapila’s curse(by Ganga waters) by Garuda(who is maternal uncle of Asamanjan).

Bringing Ganga back to Earth was a near impossible task and required many years to be spent in tapasya and prayer. The Kosala kings of successive generations could not do this while managing their duties as kings. As a result, the sins of the thousand princes multiplied in their destructive energy, and began resulting in natural disasters. The kingdom began to lose its peace and prosperity, and by the time Bhageeratha ascended the throne, he found it impossible to attempt to govern in this situation, that had only one solution.

Bhageeratha’s Tapasya:

Turning over the kingdom to trusted ministers, Bhageeratha set off to the Himalayas to perform an arduous tapasya in the extreme climate. For one thousand years, he performed an excruciatingly harsh penance to please Lord Brahma. At the end of the thousand years, Brahma came to him and told him to ask for anything. Bhageeratha asked Brahma to bring down the river Ganga to earth so that he may perform the ceremony for his ancestors.

Brahma asked Bhageeratha to propitiate Lord Shiva, for only He would be able to break the Ganga’s fall. It was the largest river, and it would be impossible for anyone save Him to contain the destructive impact of this event.

Bhageeratha performed a tapasya for Lord Shiva, living only on air. The compassionate Shiva appeared only after a year’s penance, and told Bhageeratha he should not have to perform tapasya to accomplish a noble goal such as this. He assured Bhageeratha that he would break Ganga’s fall.

Ganga’s Fall :

After eons of being flattered and praised by the Devas, Ganga had become vain. She scoffed at Brahma when He asked her to flow down to earth, but could not disobey him as he was her father.

But Ganga was sure, as much as Bhageeratha was afraid that no one could stop her fall, which would devastate the earth for a long time. As she cascaded across and down from Swarga, Bhageeratha and celestial observers were terrified of the roar and volume of water coming down. But Lord Shiva appeared from out of nowhere and captured all of Ganga just as she launched herself onto earth, in His jata.

Ganga struggled to set herself free, but Shiva could not be budged. Bhageeratha worshipped Shiva, who let Ganga free after crushing her vanity. She flowed, and is still believed to flow, from Shiva’s jata down to earth at a gentler pace.

Establishment Of The River:

King Bhageeratha led the way for Ganga on his chariot, and she followed him across the north and east of Bharat and finally merging with the ocean. In her course she washed the ashes of Sagara’s sixty thousand sons, who ascended to heaven while praising and blessing Bhageeratha.

FOR ITS DESCENT TO EARTH BEING OWED TO BHAGEERATHA’S EFFORTS, GANGA IS ALSO KNOWN AS BHAGEERATHI (DAUGHTER OF BHAGEERATHA) AS PROCLAIMED BY LORD BRAHMA.

Bhageeratha’s own great effort was praised by all the Gods and his ancestors, and is known as a Bhageeratha Prayatna, as proclaimed by Lord Brahma. It is a great inspiration to any man who seeks to do something noble despite facing overwhelming odds.

The Scientific analogy of the Hindu texts : 

So far , we have realized that The Genesis account is pointing us towards a Place where Apple trees grows naturally . We need to understand that the Genesis account tells us the very beginning of Life on this Planet as per the Abrahamic texts , which consider that this Planet is only 6000 years old and that Adam & Eve were the first people on Earth. 

However , such is not the case with Hinduism. For Hindus , the concept of Yugas is an ongoing creation & destruction event that has been happening for millions of years , something which science totally agrees to . 

Further as we have noted that The Location of Heaven is what the Swastika stands for , we will now use scientific data mining to identify the location of Heaven. 

Mount Kailash : 

Mount Kailash is the first Man Made pyramid on Planet Earth . The Hindu texts reveal that The Supreme Lord of Engineering & Architecture , Vishwakarma himself designed and built Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas as a permanent residence for Rudra & his Wife Sati . I will not dwelf into the mysteriousness of Mt.Kailash on this blog , because otherwise ending this blog would become an impossible task . 

I am hereby showing you satellite images of the terrain in and around Mt. Kailash . As you can see , the Location of Mt.Kailash and is surroundings is so mysterious that it practically is a sealed complex . 

Evidently 4 rivers do originate from Mt.Kailash , they are  the Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and Karnali also known as Ghaghara (the Largest tributary of the Ganges) in India. This becomes important from two perspectives , first for a Kin like Bhageeratha to release Ganga to his people in Kosala means he had to break some parts of this Zig Saw terrain around Mt.Kailash to bring Ganga to his people via Nepal . With the river Ghaghara , the river Ganga would not support the thirst of Millions of people as she does even today. 

The Hindu text is revealing to us that King Bhageeratha broke open one part of the Jataka ( Shiva's Locks ) to release Ganga from Heaven and flow towards mankind and civilization downwards into Kosala . Satellite images show us , what These Shiva's locks mentioned in the Hindu texts exactly looks like and here we see them . You also can definitely use Google Earth for the same . 

The Swastika has revealed its location of Heaven . And to further convince us that we are exactly at the right place and not pondering onto some other part of the Planet , Mt.Kailash itself reveals the Cross of the Swastika , as seen in this image . 

Now that , we have been able to locate The Location of Heaven , our job does not end. We now need to search for the location of Garden of Eden . Where on Earth is the Garden of Eden ? 

KASHMIR : 

Kashmir has been known as the Land where Apple trees have been known to grow naturally . Infact the entire Himalayan range from Kashmir to Uttarakhand in India , has massive plantations of Apple farming even today . Amazingly the Ramayana informs us that Kusha , the second son of Rama reigned towards the Western part of Extended India . Considering this revelation , Kashmir which gets its name from one of the Saptarishis ( 7 Great Sages ) of the Vedas - Rishi Kashyapa , it is apparent for us to understand that the reigns of Kashmir and beyond on the western frontier of erstwhile India would have been known as the Land of Kusha . 

Here even the Genesis account supports the Hindu texts . The Genesis account points to the Land of Cush . Modern historians argue that the Land of Cush mentioned in the Torah or the New Testament is the Country of Ethiopia . 

We need to understand here that , migration , immigration or emigration is not a new phenomenon . Life on this Planet has been present for more years than at least 6000 years. And to add, we need to understand that in Christianity our God was born 365 years after Alexander the Great . Alexander had already invaded Bactria ( Afghanistan ) and entered Western current day Pakistan , before He was routed to leave India by King Porus , that too before this God of ours in Christianity was born . 

To add , Chandragupta Maurya had already established a Massive Indian Empire before Jesus was born . Our God was born too late . 

The Garden of Eden is nothing else but Kashmir . THE HEAVEN ON EARTH . And that is the reason why people even today say " Heaven is a Place on Earth ". 

THE NOSTRADAMUS PROPHECY : THE RISE OF THE NAGAS

In this article , we will be concentrating on a massive prophecy that links up to one of the greatest revelations which is also foretold in the Indian Sanskrit texts . We will try to understand , if the Nostradamus prophecies do link up to the same Hindu Prophecy of the Return of Kalki after Kaliyuga .

At the outset, we need to understand that the Book of Prophecies written in verses by Nostradamus , clearly mentions that though the book has 10 Centuries covered , the verses are not in fact in reality connected to that particular century only . Anybody who picks up the Book of Prophecies written by Nostradamus will witness , his visions were primarily based on the astronomical positions of all heavenly celestial bodies like the position of the Sun, Moon , The Planets etc . The principle which Nostradamus used is the same principle , Vedic Astrologers use to predict the Future. 

It is agreed by most scholars that many of the prophecies by Nostradamus have already come true . However , what I will try to cover in my article is The Prophecy which directly connects the Nostradamus prophecies with the Hindu Vedic prophecy as mentioned during the arrival of the Kalki Avatar . Keep a close watch on the verses which I will be sharing from his book of Prophecies . 

Let is now begin trying to explore , THE WORLD OF NOSTRADAMUS as he saw would be the future of the World . 

I quote the First Verse : 

Nostradamus makes it pretty clear that , all the prophecies he has written down on his Book of Prophecies would only start to happen from this definite period of time as mentioned in the prophecy itself . Now , we know Nostradamus or Michel de Nostredame (depending on the source, 14 or 21 December 1503 – 2 July 1566), usually Latinised as Nostradamus, was a French physician and reputed seer, who is best known for his book Les Propheties, a collection of 942 poetic quatrains allegedly predicting future events. The book was first published in 1555 and has rarely been out of print since his death. So , we know to which century Nostradamus more or less was born. So this particular verse written , much like Sanskrit slokas has to be taken with seriousness. We need to also keep in mind that, Sanskrit was the first original writing technique where texts were as Slokas or Verses. Keeping this in mind , Nostradamus and his technique of writing his prophecies in the form of Crypted Verses reveals his understanding of Vedic Astrology . 

Let us now move further and I share this particular verse : 

Nostradamus here is definitely talking about the 21st Century. The verses are very clear in stating that , he is foretelling of some kind of a war. The verse cannot be equated with World War I or World War II , for two reasons . He has specifically foretold that the World has now shrunk and has become smaller ( Technology connecting people with people from around the Globe ). This event has to be anything but after the arrival of the www.com or the World Wide Web event. This event cannot be the First World War or Second World War . Having said that , Which War is Nostradamus talking about ? Is it the 3rd World War ? 

Ofcourse not , He is also mentioning the same War which the Vedic texts mention . The War of Kaliyuga . We will understand about this particular war from his other verses . Let us proceed . 

Now , I share the 3rd Verse that catches my interest as a student of Vedas myself . And here is the verse : 

This particular verse will not make much sense in isolation. Many people would equate this particular verse with the eradication of Christianity and being replaced by Islam in the same lands and many would support it by stating that the crusades were a result of the same . Not exactly . 

Nostradamus is very clear in this particular verse that the Barbarian empire would decay . The Barbarian Empire is the Islamic Empire in the Middle East . We all know , there never was a physical country called Israel until 14th May , 1948 . Yes , I do agree that there are Torah and Biblical accounts that there was a Land called Israel in the same place from 720 B.C.E , but it was never a country. The Biblical accounts state it as a land , where the Jews lived much before Christianity or Islam appeared in the realms . Having said that , it was the World Wars and the opportunity which the British grabbed to carve two areas in that particular region near the Jordanian state . The British were the ones , who along the Americans were primary reasons of creating Saudi Arabia and ofcourse Israel as a Country in 1948. The prophecy matches the Era after the creation of this Jewish state of Israel , where more European Jews landed up and started turning it into a Country , all the reasons more because of Hitler and his Nazi rhetorics. We should not forget the Great Holocaust ever. 

Let us move further and here is another verse , that should make us be interested : 

In this particular verse , like many of his other verses , Nostradamus is foretelling the death of The Church . The Whole Book of Prophecies is filled up with verses , where Nostradamus is foretelling that going forward , The Institution called the Church and The Papacy will cease to exist . We already are at a stage , where most Catholics now prefer to call themselves as Atheists rather than a Catholic . We are currently watching possibly the last two generations of Christians . Coming to the serpent and snakes , we need to understand that Nostradamus is also quoting the Moon in this particular verse like most of his other verses . The Vedic Astrologers associate the Serpent or Snake with the Lord of the Moon , Rudra or what most Hindus prefer to call as Shiva. Nostradamus is foretelling that The Nagas , Who are the Most ancient people with the Most Ancient Cult of Serpent Worship would return to invade the lands of the Christians and take them back into Paganism or What Hindu Scholars call as Sanatan Dharma. But now the question is " In Egypt it is now Islam , not Christianity any longer . So how does this verse actually make sense ? " . I do agree that there are Coptic Christians in Egypt , who are still living in Egypt and are now a minority population , having said that Nostradamus left us even more verses which reveals the connect. Let us proceed. 

Now , I bring your focus onto this particular verse : 

You see, the moment we hear this Word called " Holy Empire " our common thinking makes us relate it to the Vatican or the Church. The verse written here is very clear . The Word " Ishmaelites " . The Arab Muslims are the ones who call themselves to be the bloodline of Ishmael or the Son of Hagar and Abraham's maid servant with Abraham . Muslims are after the Jews for this particular unique situation that is revealed in all the 3 Abrahamic texts . Is not it amazing that Germany is today the Country that has become the doorway of Islamic Migrants into Europe . The Holy Empire which Nostradamus is talking about is the taking over of Europe by Islamic followers and Nostradamus predicted that Germany will be the doorway which will allow these Migrants take over Europe. 

Let us further proceed and here I share another verse : 

This particular verse is an amazing verse. Britain today is the largest asylum of Islamic migrants other than Germany . Infact , London today is operated by Islamic Followers and not by Christian British . Secularism is a Good concept , but first the so called Religions should first prove themselves as a religion first . 

The Next verse reveals even more : 

Unbelievable but yes , this verse should wake up every sleeping Brit . Today , The Mayor of London is a Pakistani . There is another ONE that is even bigger a threat and a follower of Islam " Sajid " . The British who are in a deep sleep of Beer and Football will wake up to their nightmare , because the following verses reveals it. 

The next verse that connects something , most people cannot connect : 

Here again we witness , Nostradamus lamenting on the death of the Church . The Whole Book of Prophecies is filled with the prophecy of the Death of Papacy and The Church . And as a 21st century visitor , we can all now relate , why the Vatican and the Church is facing the greatest test of keeping their ship from sinking . The Pope has now become a  victim of his own crime . Pretty unfortunate a situation , nevertheless a Prophecy as mentioned as Nostradamus and also written in the Vedic texts. 

Let us proceed . Here is a Verse from the Chapter Century 10. 

There is only one religion on this planet which has a sea or an ocean named to it. The Hind Mahasagar or Hindu Mahasagar or the Indian Ocean . There is only one Great Sea or Ocean that connects a religion and that religion is Hinduism . Here Nostradamus predicts that This Religion " Hinduism " will destroy the Cults of " A & A " . But what does A & A mean ? Well Adam and Abraham , which directly states that none of the Arahamic faiths will exist in the future in simple . 

Let us proceed further and here is the next verse that should attract your attention if you read the Book Of Prophecies by Nostradamus. 

This verse directly asserts to the Brexit . There is a unity among a Woman and a Man who want the Brexit and turn Britain into an Islamic Republic . We don't need rocket science to understand which Woman and Man is behind the scenes working into turning Great Britain in Great Islamic Republic . Amazingly Hungarians are now absolutely against entertaining any Islamic Migrant into their country , so also is Poland . Hungarian Bloodlines know better somehow , is not it ? Unfortunately , Nostradamus has more prophecies to support , this entire effort is going to go for waste . Let us look at those prophecies as well . 

The Next verse : 

Here we see that , after opening its doors to Islamic Migrants , Germany would turn into Paganism . Here we need to remember , Sanskrit is available to every German Child today in Germany in School. The Islamic arrival which is a current situation and the Fall of the Church is leading the citizens towards a Spiritual reality. As Sanskrit fourishes in Germany , so shall Paganism or what Hindus call as Sanatan Dharma . Amazingly , Now there is a World Hindu Congress that is making strides in the international lands , which were Vedic but not following it for the last 4,500 years . I might sound like a radical Hindu , I am a Vedic and I understand other Vedics , born into Cults other than Hinduism as well.

Now I take you another interesting verse : 

Now the question is " Which Great Sea is Nostradamus taking about ? " . There is only one Great Sea that has a name associated to a particular religion . This particular Great Sea which Nostradamus has put out is nothing else but the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean was known to the ancients as Hind Mahasagar or Hindu Mahasagar. Mahasagar itself means " Great Sea ". Sagar means Sea in Sanskrit & Pali and Maha means Great. Here is the Great Sea which Nostradamus is referring to . Further , Nostradamus predicted that , Once the Holy Day is considered as Thursday by all men and women of these planet , the Great Sea will freeze. Let us understand what these verses actually mean. We know , Friday is the Holy Sacred day for the Muslims , Saturday is the Holy Sacred day of the Jews and Sunday is the Holy Sacred day of the Christians . The Holy Thursday belongs to the Hindus , where Hindus fast. Nostradamus is predicting that , Hinduism will take over all over this Planet after the demise of all the cults of this planet including Christianity , Judaism , Buddhism , Islam etc . The freezing of the Great Sea indicates that peace and tranquility will return and violence and hatred which erupts like Great Waves in a sea will no longer survive to exist . 

Let us now take another prophecy from the Book of Prophecies by the French Seer Nostradamus : 

Here Nostradamus is predicting the arrival of a Great Hindu who will not only create ripples across the Countries to the East of India , but even in the countries lying on the West of India. He will become a gladiator of among all political leaders of the World and shall bring India to the Greatest superiority among all of the Civilized World. This prophecy absolutely agrees with the Vedic Prophecy of the Arrival of the Kalki Avatar. Any Vedic will realize, how Nostradamus was quoting the same thing, which the Vedic texts also point out to. Cannot be just a co-incidence, if the Vedic astrologers foresaw the same astronomical signals as also witnessed by Nostradamus and predicted in his Book of Prophecies.

Let us look further into his prophecies :

The Word " More / Moor " is a French word indicating the Arab Muslims. To the French , even today people of the Arab Islamic countries are known as Moors . Here in this prophecy , Nostradamus again re-iterates that , Islam as a philosophy will die out. But even interesting is the way Nostradamus has put across this prophecy . Nostradamus here quotes that , Islam's debacle will only happen , when the cult of Sweet Tongue and Seductive will die. Here Nostradamus is talking about the Sweet tongues of the Christian priests , who by their seductive talk of a Heaven and bliss have been marketing and selling their God to simple minded people. Most people today are of the opinion that , The Church has nothing to do with spirituality , but is actually a Profitable Money making institution , infact the Largest Business House on Planet Earth. Nostradamus is predicting that , before the fall of Islam arrives , Christianity will be the first one to die out as a Philosophy. We are already witnessing the signs now , with more and more Christians moving away from the Church and many of them even converting into Atheists. All was predicted both in the Vedic texts and now here in the Book of prophecies by Nostradamus himself. 

Let us now move further , this particular prediction is again very interesting . Let us read the verse first : 

Here we see that Nostradamus is directly informing us that , When the foundation of Christianity would start to fall , first the younger generations of Christians would fall into Atheism. However , this Atheism would also not last long , and thereby the Christians would look for answers into " The Horned Bull ". The Horned Bull is also mentioned in the Jewish Torah as also the Christian New Testament . The Horned Bull is nobody else but " Nandi " the Vehicle of The Hindu God " RUDRA / SHIVA "- The Destroyer among the 3 Hindu Gods of the Trinity . Rudra or Shiva is also the God of the Serpents ( NAGAS ) , Nostradamus hereby is predicting that after the Fall of Christianity , The Christians turned Atheists wil look for the answers of Truth and The Meaning of Life on this Planet to the Most Ancient Cult in the History of this Planet , which is the Cult of Rudra or the Philosophy of Sanatan Dharma ( Ancient Hinduism before the arrival of the Vaishnava philosophy ). Similar situation is also come upon the Muslims who hate Pigs or Pork. Even the Muslims would be left with no choice but to adhere to the Most Ancient Philosophy on this Planet and will have to forego their Barbaric cult forever and re-establish peace in their hearts. 

THE RISE OF THE NAGAS , IS PREDICTED IN THE VEDIC TEXTS . THE KALKI AVATAR MENTIONED IN THE VEDIC PURANAS IS NONE ELSE - BUT THE DESTROYER HIMSELF .

THE MYSTERY OF VEDIC TEMPLES : IS EVERY HINDU TEMPLE VEDIC ?

India is a country , where every 5 minutes walk on any street , road , byelane one takes a stroll will find a Temple . Not just in the villages in the cities too , same is the situation. The Whole country houses hundreds of thousands of temples in small , mid scale and massive sized temples. The size of a temple means little to a Hindu , the sanctity and the deity prayed to in those temples are of importance for the followers of this most ancient philosophy which today is called as a Religion and goes by the name Hinduism. 

Today, in this article , I would like to put the focus onto a special subject . As already mentioned above , we will try to find out whether all of these hundreds of thousands of temples qualify to be called as a Vedic Temple ? 

We will try to find out , What are the factors that make a Temple constructed to qualify as a Vedic Temple and look into ancient texts to find out , what conditions have been layed out before a particular site to be used for Temple Construction can be accepted for the construction of A VEDIC TEMPLE. 

Aspects in Temple Construction:

There are many aspects involved in constructing a temple. Acarya, director for the temple construction and shilpi (sculptor) play major role in the construction of a temple. The temple's acarya is expected to know silpa sastra although not in as much detail as a shilpi. Temple construction begins with search of a proper site. Soil and location are examined by acarya and shilpi. This is called Bhupariksha.

This is followed by nagara/grama nirmana. Here, the layout of town, its size, breadth of different levels of streets, locations and sizes of facilities like water tanks are determined based on the size of town. There are different names for different sizes of towns, like grama, kheta, kharvata, durga, nagara. Then the location of temple (brahma sthana) in the town is decided. Temple is usually in the center of village so that every villager has access to it. The entire arrangement is called grama vinyasa.

Then the size of temple is determined. For this, size of the image of main deity is to be known, since the size of a temple is always a fixed multiple of the size of image of main deity. Then wood/metal/stone is selected for the image. The icon has three parts, main icon (vigraha), pedestal (peetha) and platform (adhisthana or upa peetha). The tests to determine quality of stone are prescribed by the Agamas. There are three kinds of stone, male female and neuter. When hit with an iron rod if the stone produces good sound and spark, it is male and should be used for the main icon. If it produces sound but not spark it is female and should be used for pedestal. If it produces neither, it is neuter and should be used for platform. There are various standards for the relative proportions of image, gopura, prakara etc. and also the relative proportions of various parts of the vigraha. The units for measuring vigraha are tala, angula and yava. Tala is a multiple of angula and angula is a multiple of yava. More than the specific size of each unit, the multiplicity and relative sizes are important. The proportions of Head-Trunk-Arms-Legs of images are specified. The finer specifications like nose, nail, ears and their shapes are also mentioned. Generally the standard is to use dasatala (ten talas) for the height of image of male deity, navatala (nine talas) for His consort and astatala (eight talas) for bhakta.

Duties of temple administration are also specified in the Agamas - organizing festivals, encourage art forms and conduct shows to encourage artists, create accommodation for pilgrims from other towns, run hospitals, regularly conducting religious discourses etc.

Town planning, engineering, architecture, fine arts, civics, and many other subjects are dealt in the agamas, which relate to the various interests of people and involve them at different capacities and also direct their work towards a higher goal.

Steps in Temple Construction:

The procedure for building a temple is extensively discussed, and it could be expressed in short as "Karshanadi Pratisthantam", meaning beginning with "Karshana" and ending with "Pratistha". The details of steps involved vary from one Agama to another, but broadly these are the steps in temple construction:

Bhu pariksha: Examining and choosing location and soil for temple and town. The land should be fertile and soil suitable.

Sila pariksha: Examining and choosing material for image

Karshana: Corn or some other crop is grown in the place first and is fed to cows. Then the location is fit for town/temple construction.

Vastu puja: Ritual to propitiate vastu devata.

Salyodhara: Undesired things like bones are dug out.

Adyestaka: Laying down the first stone

Nirmana: Then foundation is laid and land is purified by sprinkling water. A pit is dug, water mixed with navaratnas, navadhanyas, navakhanijas is then put in and pit is filled. Then the temple is constructed.

Murdhestaka sthapana: Placing the top stone over the prakara, gopura etc. This again involves creating cavities filled with gems minerals seeds etc. and then the pinnacles are placed.

Garbhanyasa: A pot made of five metals (pancaloha kalasa sthapana) is installed at the place of main deity.

Sthapana: Then the main deity is installed.

Pratistha: The main deity is then charged with life/god-ness.

Before the temple is opened for daily worship, there are some preparatory rituals to be done, like:

Anujna: the priest takes permission from devotees and lord Ganesha to begin rituals

Mrit samgrahana: Collecting mud

Ankurarpana: Sowing seeds in pots of mud collected and waiting till they germinate

Rakshabandhana: The priest binds a holy thread on his hand to take up the assignment.

Punyahavacana: Purifying ritual for the place and invoking good omens

Grama santi: Worship for the good of village and to remove subtle undesired elements

Pravesa bali: Propitiation of various gods at different places in the temple, rakshoghna puja (to destroy asuric elements) and of specific gods like Kshetra palaka (devata ruling the town)

Vastu Santi: Pacifying puja for vastu (this happens twice and this is the second time)

Yagasala: Building the stage for homas, along with vedika.

Kalasasthapana: Installing kalasam

Samskara: Purifying the yaga sala

Kalasa puja, yagarambha: Woshipping the kalasa as god and propitiating deities through fire

Nayanonmeelana, Pratimadhivasa: Opening eyes of the god-image, installing it and giving it life.

Then specific worship is done to deity, as prescribed. For instance in the case of Siva, this is followed by astabandhana and kumbhabhisheka.

Temple Design:

From the proportions of the inner sanctum to the motifs carved into the pillars, the traditional temple takes its first form on the master sthapati's drawing board. The architect initially determines the fundamental unit of measurement using a formula called ayadhi. This formula, which comes from Jyotisha, or Vedic astrology, uses the nakshatra (birth star) of the founder, the nakshatra of the village in which the temple is being erected matching the first syllable of the name of the village with the seed sounds mystically associated with each nakshatra and the nakshatra of the main Deity of the temple. This measurement, called danda, is the dimension of the inside of the sanctum and the distance between the pillars. The whole space of the temple is defined in multiples and fractions of this basic unit.

The Shastras are strict about the use of metals, such as iron in the temple structure because iron is mystically the crudest, most impure of metals. The presence of iron, sthapatis explain, could attract lower, impure forces. Only gold, silver, and copper are used in the structure, so that only the most sublime forces are invoked during the pujas. At especially significant stages in the temple construction (such as ground-breaking and placement of the sanctum door frame), pieces of gold, silver and copper, as well as precious gems, are ceremoniously embedded in small interstices between the stones, adding to the temple's inner-world magnetism. These elements are said to glow in the inner worlds and, like holy ash, are prominently visible to the Gods and Devas.

The ground plan is described as a symbolic, miniature representation of the cosmos. It is based on a strict grid made up of squares and equilateral triangles which are imbued with deep religious significance. To the priest-architect the square was an absolute and mystical form. The grid, usually of 64 or 81 squares, is in fact a mandala, a model of the cosmos, with each square belonging to a deity. The position of the squares is in accordance with the importance attached to each of the deities, with the square in the center representing the temple deity; the outer squares cover the gods of lower rank. Agamas say that the temple architecture is similar to a man sitting - and the idol in garbagriha is exactly the heart-plexus, gopuram as the crown etc.

The construction of the temple follows in three dimensional form exactly the pattern laid out by the mandala. The relationship between the underlying symbolic order and the actual physical appearance of the temple can best be understood by seeing it from above which was of course impossible for humans until quite recently.

Another important aspect of the design of the ground plan is that it is intended to lead from the temporal world to the eternal. The principal shrine should face the rising sun and so should have its entrance to the east. Movement towards the sanctuary, along the east-west axis and through a series of increasingly sacred spaces is of great importance and is reflected in the architecture. A typical temple consists of the following major elements

1) an entrance, often with a porch

2) one or more attached or detached mandapas or halls

3) the inner sanctum called the garbagriha, literally 'womb chamber'

4) the tower build directly above the garbagriha.

Significance of the number eight in temple design:

Vastu Shastra describes the inner sanctum and main tower as a human form, structurally conceived in human proportions based on the mystical number eight. According to Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, Senior Architect at the Vastu Government College of Architecture, the vibration of the space-consciousness, which is called time, is the creative element, since it is this vibratory force that causes the energetic space to turn into spatial forms. Therefore, time is said to be the primordial element for the creation of the entire universe and all its material forms. When these vibrations occur rhythmically, the resultant product will be an orderly spatial form. This rhythm of the time unit is traditionally called talam or layam.

Since every unit of time vibration produces a corresponding unit of space measure, vastu science derives that time is equal to space. This rhythm of time and space vibrations is quantified as eight and multiples of eight, the fundamental and universal unit of measure in the vastu silpa tradition. This theory carries over to the fundamental adi talam (eight beats) of classical Indian music and dance. Applying this in the creation of a human form, it is found that a human form is also composed of rhythmic spatial units. According to the Vastu Shastras, at the subtle level the human form is a structure of eight spatial units devoid of the minor parts like the hair, neck, kneecap and feet, each of which measures one-quarter of the basic measure of the body and, when added on to the body's eight units, increases the height of the total form to nine units. Traditionally these nine units are applied in making sculptures of Gods.

Since the subtle space within our body is part of universal space, it is logical to say that the talam of our inner space should be the same as that of the universe. But in reality, it is very rare to find this consonance between an individual's and the universal rhythm. When this consonance occurs, the person is in harmony with the Universal Being and enjoys spiritual strength, peace and bliss. Therefore, when designing a building according to vastu, the architect aims at creating a space that will elevate the vibration of the individual to resonate with the vibration of the built space, which in turn is in tune with universal space. Vastu architecture transmutes the individual rhythm of the indweller to the rhythm of the Universal Being.

The Vastu-Purusha-Mandala:

The goal of a temple's design is to bring about the descent or manifestation of the unmanifest and unseen. The architect or sthapati begins by drafting a square. The square is considered to be a fundamental form. It presupposes the circle and results from it. Expanding energy shapes the circle from the center; it is established in the shape of the square. The circle and curve belong to life in its growth and movement. The square is the mark of order, the finality to the expanding life, life's form and the perfection beyond life and death. From the square all requisite forms can be derived: the triangle, hexagon, octagon, circle etc. The architect calls this square the vastu-purusha-mandala-vastu, the manifest, purusha, the Cosmic Being, and mandala.

The vastu-purusha-mandala represents the manifest form of the Cosmic Being; upon which the temple is built and in whom the temple rests. The temple is situated in Him, comes from Him, and is a manifestation of Him. The vastu-purusha-mandala is both the body of the Cosmic Being and a bodily device by which those who have the requisite knowledge attain the best results in temple building.

In order to establish the vastu-purusha-mandala on a construction site, it is first drafted on planning sheets and later drawn upon the earth at the actual building site. The drawing of the mandala upon the earth at the commencement of construction is a sacred rite. The rites and execution of the vastu-purusha-mandala sustain the temple in a manner similar to how the physical foundation supports the weight of the building.

Based on astrological calculations the border of the vastu-purusha-mandala is subdivided into thirty-two smaller squares called nakshatras. The number thirty-two geometrically results from a repeated division of the border of the single square. It denotes four times the eight positions in space: north, east, south, west, and their intermediate points. The closed polygon of thirty-two squares symbolizes the recurrent cycles of time as calculated by the movements of the moon. Each of the nakshatras is ruled over by a Deva, which extends its influence to the mandala. Outside the mandala lie the four directions, symbolic of the meeting of heaven and earth and also represent the ecliptic of the sun-east to west and its rotation to the northern and southern hemispheres.

The center of the mandala is called the station of Brahma, the creator of the universe. Surrounding Brahma are the places of twelve other entities known as the sons of Aditi, who assist in the affairs of universal management. The remaining empty squares represent akasha or pure space. The vastu-purusha-mandala forms a diagram of astrological influences that constitute the order of the universe and the destinies of human lives. When placed on the building site, along with astrological calculations, can the auspicious time to begin temple construction be determined.

The ground breaking ceremony :

From the diagram of the vastu-purusha-mandala the architect proceeds to develop the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the temple.

The plotting graphs of the temple are divided into two main sections-the ground plan and the vertical alignment. The square, the rectangle, the octagon and the pentagon are fundamental patterns in the horizontal or ground plan. In the vertical alignment the pyramid, the circle and the curve are most prominent. The subdivisions of the ground plan include the brahmasthana (the main shrine and smaller chapels) and the mandapam (balconies, assembly halls and auditoriums). The vertical plan consists of drawings for the gopuram, entrance ways, the vimana, the structure above the main shrine, and the prakara, walls.

The brahmasthana is the principal location in a temple and is where the seat of the presiding Diety will be placed. At the base of the foundation of the brahmasthana, located at the station of Brahma on the vastu-purusha-mandala, a ritual called the garbhadhana is performed called. The ritual invites the soul of the temple to enter within the buildings confines. During this ritual, a golden box is placed in the earth as part of the ground-breaking ceremony. The interior of the box is divided into smaller units exactly resembling the vastu-purusha-mandala. All the units of the gold box are first partially filled with dirt. In the thirty-two units representing the nakshatras, the units of Brahma, and the twelve sons of Aditi, the priest places an appropriate mantra in written form to invoke the presence of the corresponding Devata.

The sanskrit mantras chanted by the priest are as important as the actual mandala. The mantra infuses the mandala with spiritual powers. The mantras are the subtle form of the mandala and therefore the two are inseparable.

In the unit of Brahma, Ananta, a golden serpent with many raised hoods is placed. It is then surrounded with nine precious jewels or navaratna. Ananta represents the energy of God in which the universe rests in space. The nine jewels invoke the astrological influence of the nine planets and are composed of a diamond, emerald, ruby, pearl, yellow sapphire, blue sapphire, red coral, cats-eye and jade.

A gold lid with the seven continents of the earth engraved on it is placed on top of the box following which the agni-hotra, or sanctification ceremony. During the agni-hotra the priest offers clarified butter, the symbol of religious principles, into the fire, which represents the mouth of the Cosmic Being. Along with the offering of clarified butter five types of grains-rice, wheat, barley, rye and dhal, are also offered with the chanting of mantras.

Use of Cows in identifying the Location for the Primary Deity's Idol : ( Specific to Southern India and Srilanka only ) 

Hindus revere cows as very sacred animals and consider the cow as equivalent to a mother . All ancient texts in Hinduism are replete with mentions of sacred cows . Kamadhenu being one of the most supreme manifestations of A Sacred Holy Mother in the form of a Cow. Multiple other names have also been given to Kamadhenu , such as Surabhi , Nandini etc etc . 

Cows have been used for identifying the sacred spot in a site which is being considered for the Temple construction as the direct indicator of whether a particular site selected is preferable for a Temple construction or not ? 

Hindu priests would pray to the cow , anoint it with flowers , sacred clothes , sandal paste or sindoor paste and pray to the cow to inspect the site and provide her approval or disapproval of the site. 

The Cow is then released onto the site and given time to inspect the site by herself. The Vedic would then inspect the behaviour of the cow. This whole affair happens in the midst of a crowd of people. Hence the cow is always in the eyes of the crowd and similarly the cow understands , it is being hoarded and surrounded by people. Inspite of such a crowd , if the Cow is obeserved to be in a calm and happy behaviour , it is accepted that the Cow approves the site for the Temple Construction. If the cow is observed to be disoriented in her behaviour at the site , then the Whole site is given away and a fresh site for the Temple Construction is sought for. 

So, is the Temple You visited a Vedic Temple or a Hindu Temple is the Question ?