\u0915\u0947\u0936\u0935<\/strong> \u0927\u0943\u0924\u092d\u0943\u0917\u0941\u092a\u0924\u093f\u0930\u0942\u092a<\/strong> \u091c\u092f<\/strong> \u091c\u0917\u0926\u0940\u0936<\/strong> \u0939\u0930\u0947<\/strong>|<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Par\u015bur\u0101ma the Brahmin Warrior is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b. Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b appears as a priest (br\u0101hman) who comes to the world to protect the earthlings from the autocracy of the K\u1e63atriyas.\u00a0 Born to Jamadagni and Renuka, the birth name of Par\u015bur\u0101ma was Bh\u0101rgava R\u0101ma. He had received an ax (Par\u015b\u016b<\/strong>) from Lord \u1e62iva after undertaking terrible reparation. Hence, he came to be known as Par\u015bur\u0101ma.<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b took birth in the Brahmin Family in order to restore peace in the society disturbed due to the injustice and tyranny of the kings. According to the legend, Arjuna Kartav\u012brya- a king of Haihaya Kingdom steals the celestial cow (k\u0101mdhenu<\/strong>) called Surabhi while Par\u015bur\u0101ma is away from the hut beheading Jamadagni in the attempt. When he learns about this crime, Par\u015bur\u0101ma takes an oath to rid the earth from the K\u1e63atriya clan 21 times. Likewise, he challenges the king to battle which ends in the death of the king and his entire clan. After that, he fought 20 wars and defeated several clans of K\u1e63atriyas. Thus, he crushed the arrogance of the K\u1e63atriyas and restored Dharma.<\/p>\n The legends say that Par\u015bur\u0101ma, after the slaughter, traveled to the south to seek penance for his deeds and reached the Western Ghats.[1]<\/a> At that time, the land ended there, and the realm of god Varu\u1e47a – the lord of the oceans – began. Par\u015bur\u0101ma called upon the god and requested him to recede. As the sea god did not agree, annoyed Par\u015bur\u0101ma threatened to render the sea completely dry. As a truce, Varu\u1e47a agreed to recede as far west as Par\u015bur\u0101ma’s arrow would hit the waters from the place he was standing. Par\u015bur\u0101ma shot an arrow from the top of the current day’s Sahyadris (probably from Chiplun) which landed at Bannali – the modern-day Benaulim in Goa reclaiming a belt of land of about 30 miles broad ready for the inhabitation of mankind. This land comprised the regions of Konkan, coastal Karnataka and Kerala and is considered as Par\u015bur\u0101ma K\u1e63etra.[2]<\/a> The inhabitants of the land owe their lineage to Par\u015bur\u0101ma and hence, the symbolic form of the sixth incarnation of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b i.e. the ax which is the weapon of his identity is depicted on the coins of at least two major dynasties of India.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Para\u015b\u016b or the ax appears first on the coins of the Cera Kings of Venad. The legendary hero Par\u015bur\u0101ma is the tutelary deity of Venad Ceras.[3]<\/a> A large number of copper coins were circulated in Venad during the medieval period. One of them generally termed as \u2018Battle Ax (Para\u015b\u016b) kasu\u2019 is the important one. The obverse of the coin depicts a figure sitting on a stool with a battle ax i.e. Para\u015b\u016b <\/strong>on its right which is topped by Tamil Letter ‘Ca<\/strong>‘ which stands for the Dynasty Name \u201cCera<\/strong>\u201d. The reverse of the coin depicts a standing figure flanked by a fire altar on right and \u201cdeepstambha\u201d on left.<\/p>\n The depiction of a battle-ax on the coins of Pe\u015bw\u0101 B\u0101jir\u0101o is a point of debate. When Par\u015bur\u0101ma K\u1e63etra was created, there was a problem of\u00a0the settlers. At that time the bodies of fourteen persons happened to be cast ashore by the sea. These corpses were purified, by burning them on a funeral pyre and were given a second life. Par\u015bur\u0101ma taught them the Br\u0101hmin rituals. \u00a0The Br\u0101hmins, thus, got a second life and were called Citpavan (‘those who have become pure – p\u0101van – by going through the pyre’ i.e. \u201cCita\u201d). The Pe\u015bw\u0101s hail from the Citpavan Br\u0101hmin community and the fact that their origin can be traced back to Par\u015bur\u0101ma may or may not be the reason for the depiction of an ax or Para\u015b\u016b on their coins.<\/p>\n The coin is a Silver rupee issued by the Pe\u015bw\u0101 king B\u0101jir\u0101o in the name of Shah Ali Gauhar (Shah Alam II). The coin is inscribed with Persian legend \u201cSikka Mubarak Badshah Ghazi Shah Ali Gauhar\u201d on the obverse along with the Hijri Year. The Reverse of the coin features Sana Reignal Year of Shah Alam II and inscription \u201cJulus Maimanat Manus\u201d and the most importantly the battle ax symbol in the loop of Persian letter \u201cSeen\u201d of Julus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The legend of Par\u015bur\u0101ma has roots in the ancient conflict between the Brahmin caste with religious duties and the K\u1e63atriyas caste with warrior and enforcement role.[4]<\/a> Parasurama legends are notable for their discussion of violence, the cycles of retaliation, the impulse of krodha (anger), the inappropriateness of \u2018krodha\u2019, and repentance. “Parashurama carries to a mythic extreme an enduring Brahmin conflict: on the one hand, restraint, purity, nonviolence, detachment; on the other, inherent power and the recurring temptation to use it in the violent pursuit of an uncompromising vision”.[5]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n R\u0101ma<\/strong><\/p>\n \u0915\u0947\u0936\u0935<\/strong> \u0927\u0943\u0924\u0930\u0918\u0941\u092a\u0924\u093f\u0935\u0947\u0937<\/strong> \u091c\u092f<\/strong> \u091c\u0917\u0926\u0940\u0936<\/strong> \u0939\u0930\u0947<\/strong>|<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once upon a time, Divine Sage N\u0101rada met Sage V\u0101lm\u012bki. In a dialogue between the two, V\u0101lm\u012bki \u1e5a\u1e63\u012b questions N\u0101radamun\u012b \u201cwho, in this world, is vigorous and valorous one, who speaks nothing but the truth, who is interested in welfare of all beings, who is brilliant yet humble and mighty yet self-composed and has handsome features?\u201d\u00a0 Having listened to these words of V\u0101lm\u012bki, N\u0101rada, the knower of all the three worlds, said \u201cI know a man who possesses all and many more qualities that you mentioned. A King, I have heard of, who was born in the Ik\u1e63v\u0101k\u016b Dynasty and belongs to the clan of Ragh\u016b. He is with a controlled self, highly valorous, resplendent, and steadfast and a controller of his own senses. He is known to be Mary\u0101d\u0101 Pur\u016b\u1e63ottam. He is known to people by the name R\u0101ma \u2013 the eldest and a dear son to Da\u015baratha\u201d.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n R\u0101ma, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b was a personification of righteousness and human values that appeared in Treta Yuga. He is the central figure of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, a text historically popular in the South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures. Rama is especially important to Vaishnavism. The life and story of R\u0101ma is glorified in several art forms in India as well. R\u0101ma, as one of the major deities of India and an ideal king, has also been honored on numerous coins.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This Gold Half Dinar is one of the rarest coins depicting the 7th<\/sup> Avat\u0101ra of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b. Issued by Vigraharaja IV of Chahmanas of Sakambhari, the obverse of the coin depicts Nimbate figure of Rama standing facing holding a bow and an arrow in each hand. Devanagari legend \u1e62r\u012b R\u0101ma is split on either side. Floral border with decorative motifs of lotus flowers and a Hamsa bird are seen around. The reverse is inscribed with Devanagari legend in three lines \u201c\u1e62r\u012b Madvigra\/harajade\/va.\u201d[7]<\/a><\/p>\n The other coin from the Great Aravindu Dynasty of Vijayanagar Empire, depicts not only \u1e62r\u012b R\u0101ma but also his Consort Sit\u0101 and his brother Lak\u1e63ma\u1e47\u0101. This Gold Pagoda depicts R\u0101ma and Sit\u0101 seated with Lak\u1e63ma\u1e47\u0101 standing as an attendant behind on the obverse. The reverse is inscribed with the Devanagari legend \u201cSri Tirumala Raya\u201d. [8]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The whole journey of R\u0101ma\u2019s life is a lesson for mankind about the importance of sticking to principles of righteousness, justice, truth and strength of character. In battle or in peace, Rama never let go of these ideals. That is why he is known as Mary\u0101d\u0101 Pur\u016b\u1e63ottam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a<\/strong><\/p>\n \u0926\u0936\u093e\u0915\u0943\u0924\u093f\u0915\u0943\u0924\u0947<\/strong> \u0915\u0943\u0937\u094d\u0923\u093e\u092f<\/strong> \u0924\u0941\u092d\u094d\u092f\u0902<\/strong> \u0928\u092e\u0903<\/strong>|<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The eighth Avat\u0101ra of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b appeared in Dv\u0101p\u0101ra Yuga as K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. This most powerful incarnation of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b was termed as P\u016br\u1e47a Pur\u016b\u1e63ottama. Of all the Avat\u0101ras of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is the most popular and perhaps the closest to the heart of the masses. Born in a prison to a King and nurtured in by the Gop\u0101las, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s whole life was spent in the destruction of evil. From eradicating evil to protect those who surrender to him, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s life has been in the service of others. The preacher of the world’s biggest doctrine Bhagwat Gita and the Sharathi (charioteer) of the greatest archer of his age, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a was the most popular and attractive god of the sub-continent. He is Megh-Var\u1e47a (with the complexion similar to that of a cloud) Gop\u0101l (the protector of the cows), Murl\u012b Manohar (who can enchant by the melody of his flute) and Madan-Mohan (who can mesmerize K\u0101madev) with his beauty. He was adored in songs, he is worshipped in prayers, and he is venerated in dances. Beyond this, he is also adorned on coins.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The most adorable form of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a i.e. B\u0101\u1e37a Gop\u0101\u1e37a is frequently depicted on the coins. Among the many dynasties, those who have featured the adolescent manifestation, coins of Vijayanagara King K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Dev R\u0101ya\u00a0 are the most beautiful ones. The Obverse of the coin depicts bejeweled B\u0101\u1e37a K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a sitting with one knee bended and the other is raised up to the chest. A lump of butter is seen in the right hand while the left hand is rests on the left knee. He is wearing a crown of peacock feathers and is flanked by conch and discus. The reverse is inscribed with Devan\u0101gari legend \u201c\u1e62ri\/ K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a r\u0101 \/ ya” in three lines.<\/p>\n The silver coin of Ananta M\u0101\u1e47ikya of Tripur\u0101 depicts Krishna playing Flute, Standing on a dais with Female attendants either side holding Flowers and Bangla legend \u201c\u1e62r\u012b \u1e62r\u012b Yu\/ta Ana\/nta M\u0101\u1e47i\/Kya Deva in a square area with arabesques around, within a circle and outer flower border in the reverse.<\/p>\n The other coin is a copper issue of Venkatappa N\u0101yak one of the rulers of Nayaks of Gingee in Tamil Nadu region. The obverse of this copper coin depicts four armed Lord Krishna playing the flute with one bird (peacock) and cow on each side\u2019s, within dotted border. The reverse of this coin depicts a Telugu legend which reads “Ven Ka Ta Pa\u201d within a circular ring and decorative dotted border.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is the symbol of eternal love; his journey to become a man who was worshipped like a god is most enchanting. To understand him you have to understand G\u012bt\u0101, he was attached to the world yet he was so detached from it. He was a warrior but yet he kept war as a last resort. Dharma was his doctrine and Karma was his salvation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Buddha<\/strong><\/p>\n \u0915\u0947\u0936\u0935<\/strong> \u0927\u0943\u0924\u092c\u0941\u0926\u094d\u0927\u0936\u0930\u0940\u0930<\/strong> \u091c\u092f<\/strong> \u091c\u0917\u0926\u0940\u0936<\/strong> \u0939\u0930\u0947<\/strong>|<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The 9th<\/sup> Avat\u0101ra of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b appeared in Kal\u012byuga \u2013 the most notorious phase of the existence of the universe. When the world had lost real understanding of the scriptures and was stooped in ignorance (practices without the right philosophy), Buddha an enlightened man restated the importance of self-realization and self-effort in realizing oneself. He was responsible for changing the rigidity in the practice of contemporary Hind\u016b Dharma and incorporated \u00a0a philosophy free from the rigidity of scriptures. The adoption of Buddha as one of the Avat\u0101ras of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b under Bhagavatism[9]<\/a> was a catalyzing factor in assimilation during the Gupta period between 330 and 550 CE. By the 8th century CE, the Buddha was declared an avatar of Vishnu in several Pur\u0101\u1e47as.[10]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The iconographic imagery of Gautama Buddha was introduced during the Kushan rule and developed with the Gandhara style of art under this dynasty. The image of Buddha on Kanishka I\u2019s coins is the first ever image of Buddha on coins with all the aesthetic features of Buddha like the head bun, the sanghati (the over cloth), and long ear lobes. Coins of Kanishka depict Buddha in both Gold and Copper Coins.<\/p>\n A Gold Dinar of Kanishka I depicts standing Buddha on the reverse with his right hand hold in abhayamudr\u0101. Bactrian legend \u201cBoddo\u201d appears on the left. The Obverse of the coin portrays the crowned portrait of the king who is shown offering alms in a fire Altar.<\/p>\n Similary the Copper tetradrachm or unit of the king depicts Maitreya Buddha seated facing on a meditation platform along with Bactrian legend \u201cMitrago Boudo\u201d around. The Obverse of the coin portrays the crowned portrait of the king who is shown offering alms in a fire Altar. Metrago Boddo or Maitreya Buddha is the future incarnation of Buddha according to the Mahay\u0101na and Vajray\u0101na Buddhist traditions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kalki<\/strong><\/p>\n \u0915\u0947\u0936\u0935<\/strong> \u0927\u0943\u0924\u0915\u0932\u094d\u0915\u093f\u0936\u0930\u0940\u0930<\/strong> \u091c\u092f<\/strong> \u091c\u0917\u0926\u0940\u0936<\/strong> \u0939\u0930\u0947<\/strong>|<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, the redemption which we as yet await, will be that of Kalki, who will come as a Silver Stallion: all evils and every sort of folly will perish at the coming of this Kalki: true righteousness will be restored, and the minds of men will be made as clear as crystal.\u201d[11]<\/a><\/p>\n The last among “The Depiction of Da\u015b\u0101vat\u0101ra on Indian Coins” is Kalki – the tenth Avt\u0101ra of Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b which is yet to appear. It is believed that the last incarnation will be known by the name Kalki or Kalkin by the end the Kali Yuga, one of the four periods in the endless cycle of existence. Etymologically speaking, the name Kalki is based on the word “karki” (white or from the horse) which morphed into Kalki. [12]<\/a> He is described as the avatar that appears at the end of the Kali Yuga. He ends the darkest, degenerating and chaotic stage of the Kali Yuga to remove adharma and ushers in the Satya Yuga.[13]<\/a> It is described to appear on a white horse and will yield a flaming sword which will be his weapon with which he will strike down all evil. His appearance will also mark the end of Kali Yuga, after which the Krita Yuga will again begin where purity of mind will reign over all else.[14]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unfortunately, Kalki is not yet portrayed on the coins of any dynasty, but India Post, in the year 2008 issued special stamps dedicating to \u201cthe G\u012bta Govinda\u201d of Jaidev. The stamps feature Jaideva writing the beautiful Sanskrit Poem and the Incarnations of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b. The 10th<\/sup> incarnation is depicted as a blue skinned man sitting on a white horse and slaying the evil around him.<\/p>\n The description and details of Kalki are inconsistent among the Puranic texts. He is, for example, only an invisible force destroying evil and chaos in some texts, while an actual person who kills those who persecute others and portrayed as someone leading an army of Brahmin warriors in some. His mythology has been compared to the concepts of the Messiah, Apocalypse, Frashokereti, and Maitreya in other religions. Kalki is also found in Buddhist texts[15]<\/a> which describes 25 rulers, each named Kalki who rule from the heavenly Shambhala. The last Kalki of Shambhala destroys a barbarian army, after which Buddhism flourishes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u0935\u0947\u0926\u093e\u0928\u0941\u0926\u094d\u0927\u0930\u0924\u0947<\/strong> \u091c\u0917\u0928\u094d\u0928\u093f\u0935\u0939\u0924\u0947<\/strong> \u092d\u0942\u0917\u094b\u0932\u092e\u0941\u0926\u094d\u092c\u093f\u092d\u094d\u0930\u0924\u0947\u0964<\/strong> \u0926\u0948\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0902<\/strong> \u0926\u093e\u0930\u092f\u0924\u0947<\/strong> \u092c\u0932\u093f\u0902<\/strong> \u091b\u0932\u092f\u0924\u0947<\/strong> \u0915\u094d\u0937\u0924\u094d\u0930\u0915\u094d\u0937\u092f\u0902<\/strong> \u0915\u0941\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0924\u0947\u0964\u0964<\/strong><\/p>\n \u092a\u094c\u0932\u0938\u094d\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0902<\/strong> \u091c\u092f\u0924\u0947<\/strong> \u0939\u0932\u0902<\/strong> \u0915\u0941\u0932\u092f\u0924\u0947\u0964<\/strong> \u0915\u093e\u0930\u0941\u0923\u094d\u092f\u092e\u093e\u0924\u0928\u094d\u0935\u0924\u0947<\/strong> \u092e\u094d\u0932\u0947\u091a\u094d\u091b\u093e\u0928\u094d<\/strong> \u092e\u0942\u0930\u094d\u091a\u094d\u091b\u092f\u0924\u0947\u0964\u0964<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Da\u015b\u0101vat\u0101ra Stotra, carved by Jaideva ends with a concluding verse where he sums up with an endorsement mentioning all the incarnations of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b and offering him an obeisance.<\/p>\n The concept of Da\u015b\u0101vat\u0101ra of Bhagw\u0101na Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b denotes the duties of Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b of as the preserver of the universe. His job is to ensure the sustenance of the universe as well as to perform the cosmic function of cohesion created by Brahma \u2013 the creator. The concept of Da\u015b\u0101vat\u0101ra is not only a mythological subject but up to an extent has scientific and historical support. The Depiction of Da\u015b\u0101vat\u0101ra on Indian coins mirrors the absorption of a belief system in to a society and its continuity through the centuries. Such phenomena are responsible to form a core of an ancient and ongoing thought process such as the Hind\u016b Dharma.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> The Sahy\u0101drikha\u1e47\u1e0da of the Skanda Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Kar\u1e47a Parva of the Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> SSIC, Vol. II, op. cit, p.118<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Constance Jones Encyclopedia of Hinduism<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> David Dean Shulman The King and the Clown in South Indian Myth and Poetry<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> Valmiki Ramayana \u2013 Bala Kanda verses 1 \u2013 20<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> https:\/\/classicalnumismaticgallery.com<\/a><\/p>\n [8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mintageworld.com<\/a><\/p>\n [9]<\/a> The Buddhist Vi\u1e63\u1e47u: Religious Transformation, Politics, and Culture by John Clifford Holt<\/p>\n [10]<\/a> Gitagovinda of Vaishnava poet Jayadeva<\/p>\n [11]<\/a> James Branch Cabell<\/p>\n [12]<\/a> \u00a0the G3.6 manuscript of Mahabharata<\/p>\n [13]<\/a> The Garuda Purana<\/p>\n [14]<\/a> Kalki Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/p>\n [15]<\/a> the Kalachakra-Tantra<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As seen in the previous blog, the concept of Da\u015b\u0101vat\u0101ra or ten incarnation of Vi\u1e63\u1e47\u016b is an all accepted phenomenon in India. The polytheistic Hind\u016b Dharma believes in the presence of one and more deities that will protect them from the occurrences and recurrences of the Evil. The Concept of Da\u015b\u0101vat\u0101ra is a byproduct of … Continue reading Depiction of Da\u015b\u0101vat\u0101ra on Indian Coins II<\/span> ![\"Depiction](\"https:\/\/www.mintageworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n