SamvitKnowledge beyond time ... www.amrita.edu/association/samskriti/ September BI-ANNUAL CULTURAL MAGAZINE samvit(Only for internal circulation) Issue 12 2017 EDITORIAL This is a time of great changes. CONTENTS From this issue onward, SAMVIT will be a bi-annual cultural magazine published by Amrita Darshanam – International 08 The Maritime Glory of Early India - Centre for Spiritual Studies at Amrita University, Amritapuri Campus. TEACHING OF MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI DEVI Part 1: Indus Valley 04 BHARAT AWAKENS… There was a time when India was considered the most developed country in the world – the seat of a civilization renowned for its THE NEW 14 Jainism and Architecture- Jaisalmer Jain Temples material prosperity, and intellectual and spiritual excellence. INDIAN RUPEE In this issue, we are going to bring to you to a mosaic of articles showcasing India’s creativity and greatness in diverse disciplines 15 Seventy Years since 1947… such as handicraft in “Blue Pottery”, architecture in “Jainism Is India Truly Independent … ??? and Architecture – Jaisalmer Jain Temples”, evaluation of British administration in “Seventy Years Since 1947 … Is India Truly Independent?”, art of illusion in “Indian Magic”, martial art in “Kalarippayattu – The Mother of All Martial Arts”, healing 18 Indian Magic 06 science in “The Iatrochemical Period in Indian History” and “Eating Twice a Day for Good Health: Ancient Ayurvedic Wisdom Rediscovered”, philosophy of Indian arts in “The 20 Kalarippayattu - The Mother of All Martial Arts Philosophical Framework of Indian Arts”, dance in “Folk Dances BLUE POTTERY of Manipur”, urban planning in “Town Planning in Arthasastra; The Infrastructural Sagacity of Kautilya”, and measurement 23 The Iatrochemical Period in Indian History system in “Linear Measurement in Ancient India”. Along with these, we have two new article series – “The Maritime Glory of Early India” and “The Wonder That Is Sanskrit”, as well 25 The Philosophical Framework of Indian Arts as Amma’s message in “Teaching of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi - Bharat Awakens …” for deeper understanding of the rich 12 legacy of ancient India. 29 Folk Dances of Manipur We also explore major social issues of modern India in “The New Indian Rupee”, “The Plight of Indian Farmers”, and the Chief Advisor insightful interview with Renu D Singh, lawyer, social activist Lt. Col. K. Krishnan Nair (Retd) (CIR) 32 The Plight of Indian Farmers and the founding president of the NGO “Samadhan” in “The Pheonix”, which bring us the new light on revitalizing and Editorial Advisors transforming our nation together. Mrs.Gayathri N (Dept. of ECE) Br. Sivanandan (Amrita Darshanam, ICSS) 34 Linear Measurement in Ancient India As like a tree needs strong roots to grow high, it is always the past which forms the foundation for the present, and the better Managing Editor future ahead. Br. Prasanth (Amrita Darshanam, ICSS) 26 “THE WONDER THAT IS SANSKRIT 40 Eating Twice a Day for Good Health: By reconnecting with the roots of our Motherland through Layout Designing Ancient Ayurvedic Wisdom Rediscovered higher values, traditions, cultures and knowledge, and Jagadeesh Thulasi (Graphics, ICTS) addressing modern-day issues by applying eternal wisdom garnered down the ages by our sages and ancestors, may we join together to make India shine forth in unity and strength again. 43 Town Planning in Arthasastra; We hope you enjoy reading this issue, as much as we enjoyed The Infrastructural Sagacity of Kautilya producing it for you. Please send your comments and suggestions to From the Editor’s desk [email protected] 25th August 2017 36 THE PHOENIX SAMVIT : Bi-annual cultural magazine 3 us to progress further. What fulfils any of the poor condition of these villagers. action is divine grace. In order to gain Hence, it is crucial that we find more that grace, one must have faith in the people to work in villages. With help infinite spiritual power. from those who have the resources, we must lend them a hand and pay them a In Sanatana Dharma, the Creator and monthly stipend. By helping the needy, the creation are not two. The creation we are not only doing God’s work, but is the manifest form of the Creator. increasing the number of good deeds Just as there is no difference between in our book of “Life”, which is written the ocean and its waves (because of by God. But, we may also remember their same medium: water), there is no that though the people in the villages difference between the Creator, God, lack material comforts they are rich in and the world. Lord Krishna is the best terms of values. In this regard, we have role model in karma that the world has a lot to learn from them too. seen so far. His life and actions were detached, like ‘butter in water’. A boat It is said that among gifts, the greatest may be in water, but water must never is that of knowledge. We should be enter the boat. In the battlefield, Lord trained enough to give people the Krishna advised Arjuna on how to knowledge of our spiritual culture. perform actions with this attitude. We should be able to guide people in the proper way and instil in them Dharma is the universal law that cannot knowledge about our scriptural texts be changed or revised. No matter and about spirituality. Only then which country, the laws of the land will the situation change. The places will only be effective when the citizens of worship of other religions teach obey them. This applies to Dharma religious texts. They also have schools, also. The Vedas, Upanishads and the colleges and other institutions for this Bhagavad Gita, all expect us to lead a specific purpose. Those who receive glorious and noble life in every way. training there then go out to propagate By honouring dharma, we can awaken the teachings of their religion. In the eternal divine consciousness that contrast, there is nothing like that in is ever shining in us. However, if we our religion. There are many temples work in anticipation of a bright future, that receive a lot of donations. However, all obstacles will disappear of their own they don’t use even the smallest part accord. Bharat will once again regain of their earning to teach or propagate its glory and shine as brightly as the Hindu dharma. We must ensure that a TEACHING OF MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI DEVI sun. part of the temples’ earnings is used for BHARAT AWAKENS… The river does not need drainage water, propagating dharma. whereas the drain needs river water. With the help of philanthropists, we harat is a land well known for its within themselves after intense tapas. with the Motherland because of the Likewise, God needs nothing from must create special courses for teaching Bculture and diversity. It is the holy When we act with faith, this sankalpa, change in lifestyle. However, in the past, us. Those suffering in the world due the Hindu scriptures and imparting land of the universal Guru in which will cause the entire universe to help us scholars from ancient Greece, Egypt to lack of facilities need our help. In spiritual knowledge. We must set up the endless and divine vibration of all. In a recent speech delivered by Sri and China, came to India to acquire this regard, most of them are in our schools and colleges that teach yoga the saints are still alive. This is the Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, AMMA knowledge. All the branches in the field villages. We must spend time with and meditation. Those who are trained sacred land that first gave the world spoke about the awakening of Bharat of education that we see now, had their them and go down to their level to ease in these institutions can then go out to the message of unity through a famous -our Motherland. roots here. The brilliance and clarity in their suffering in whatever ways we teach others and propagate dharma. quote. The noble mantras of our thought that our ancestors possessed can. We should be the ones removing culture have always spread from this There was a time when Bharat was was due to the spiritual knowledge that the darkness from their lives and bring When we talk about Indian culture, holy land. She is the inspiration and considered the most developed country Indians had attained through the tapas about a much needed change in theirs, what we really mean is eternal source of knowledge that can open the in the world. We know that nowadays of our ancient Rishis and sages. Every so that they can lead a peaceful and and moral values. We must create eyes of the world. Bharat has a unique parents send their children abroad for single atom of our country is filled prosperous life. The villages today are opportunities for everyone to learn consciousness, power and charisma higher studies, for the sake of good with pure vibrations. When we try to in the same condition that they were about and understand these values. u that no other country can have. This soil employment. But they don’t know that oppose our culture and the nature of 300 years ago. The status of the villages Ashni, S3 CSE has been blessed with the sankalpa of it is in those foreign countries that their this nation, the response of this action has not changed so far. Because of this, the Rishis, who gained universal power kids tend to lose their cultural bonds will be immediately seen. It won’t allow there are people who take advantages 4 SAMVIT : Bi-annual cultural magazine SAMVIT : Bi-annual cultural magazine 5 alarming but in fact the bitter truth untaxed economy running parallel - THE NEW was that, the government had failed to which funds terrorist activities, aids monitor the same.