2018-06-16 Sat

My father is my heaven, my father is my Dharma, he is the ultimate penance of my life. If he is happy, all deities are pleased. - 12 Mahabharata Shanti Parva, Chapter 258 Bhishma's Quote.

We always praise our mothers, but never realises how important our fathers are in our life. They are the support beams on which we live. He scarifies, he supports, he protects without asking anything in return. In Indian literature and philosophy, fathers are given important place, the Adi-Purusha is considered to be the father of all living things and living beings. In Purusha Sukta, the Purusha scarifies himself to create the universe.

  Many Indian dynasties followed patriarchal system, the best example is the Western Kshatrapas - The Kardamaka Kings who gave tribute to their father on their coinage. The-above shown silver coin was issued during the reign of King Rudradaman of Western Kashatrapa. The obverse of this coin depicts the head of king facing right with truncated Greek legend around it.

On the reverse of this coin a Chaitya (three arched hills) with a crescent with the river below and a crescent Moon towards left with the Sun on the right. Brahmi legends are inscribed around in circular format; it reads ‘Rajno Kshatrapasa Jayadamaputrasa Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudradamasa’.

On the reverse of this coin King Rudradaman address himself as the son of Kshatrapasa king Jayadaman. The Indo-Greek king Strato III addressed his father Strato II as a 'Priya Pita' meaning beloved father on his silver coinage.

Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. This year it falls on 17th June. All over the world this day is celebrated with great enthusiasm & love.

Mintage world wishes you all a happy “Father’s Day” in advance...

Image Courtesy: Amit Udeshi