#6B8E23
The Vedic Roots of Hindu Iconography
Dr. R.Nagaswamy
[A new book with title The Vedic Roots of Hindu Iconography by Dr. R.Nagaswamy has been published in 2012, by Kaveri Books with Bib Details: xxvi+230p, (155) b/w pls, (33) col pls, bib, ind, 26 cm.]
About the book:- The Nature manifests itself in innumerable forms, colours and quality each with a propelling power to bring multitudes of these forms and each form fascinates the poetic mind that creates a lovely imagery in everlasting poetry. The Indian mind living in the midst of nature in days of yore poured forth such immortal poems we call Vedas i.e understand. We hear frequently in the Vedas a phrase “Ya Yevam Veda” i.e one who knows this understands. Behind all these multiple forms are the images with multiple hands, multiple legs, multiple faces and beyond, as Visvarupa with thousand names, Sahasra-naman or even million names laksharccas are in fact many in one, and one in many. So when the Hindus worship many gods they worship the universal power beyond lands, languages, forms, race, colour, sex, or times and that is the concept of Hindu Godhood. It is only ignorant who will call such a concept “immersed in darkness”. The Hindus loudly proclaimed Critical knowledge itself is god Vijnaanam Brahma. And that concept is Brahmam i.e. ever expanding knowledge, Vijnana, different from the Creative power called, Brahmaa, and that was the contribution of the Vedas.
This book explores this expanding knowledge from the Vedic period to recent times in time and space that would dispel many misconceptions. It was Agni, the fire that was the most visible power to which everything was reduced at the ultimate analysis. The first few articles therefore deal with Agni, the fire of Vedas. The Sun, Moon and the fire are the primordial energies. The fire has two inherent powers the consuming heat energy and Illuminating-beneficial energy, which they called on one hand as Rudra and on the other Vishnu. Rudra and Vishnu both inseparably exist in one and the same Fire. So the Harihara emerges as an influential form in the early centuries. Similarly Rudra is like the father and the benevolent energy of the same fire, insuperable, is called Mother Devi Parvati, the male and the female in one and the same form as Ardhanari. Similarly the abode of this inseparable powers called the temple is within man and outside him in the world and both are called the temples “Visvasya Ayatanam”. Most of the important iconographic visualizations arise from such syncretic forms That are dealt with in this volume as for example the concept of linga or Varaha, gives you so many layers that are properly focused that would come as revelations. Bhairava and Krishna are one.. Similarly the creaitive power was also added to Siva and Vishnu who are adored by millions of Hindus as Virinchi Narayana Sankaratmans. At another level some individual manifestations like Andhakasuravadha or Nataraja are rooted in Vedic understanding of darkness and light. The writings of some that there was no worship of feminine power in the Vedic age, is shown in this volume as pedestrian, worthy of outright rejection. Similarly some hold that the Muruga Kartikeya is exclusive and the earliest god of the Tamil is disproved and shown here as a Sanskrit word “Mrgya” in prakrit form and is a pan Indian deity. It is also shown that the concept arise from the sons of Rudra and the River Prishni of Punjab which later merged into a great river lik six bodies of Shanmukha merging into one, later as the son of Rudra and Ganga. The origin of Rama and Krishna and their place in the chronological perspective is detailed with epigraphical evidence and disproved some of the abysmal ignorance of some professorial claimants. Each article in this volume is thought provoking, originl and linked to the factual utterances Vedic Rishis which is absolutely necessary for those who seek proper approach to the subject.