Before Noah: Possible Relics of the Flood-Myth in Proto-Indo-Iranian and Earlier

The Evolution of Yama According to the Classical Religious Texts

Journal of Modern Education Review, 2019

The Evolution of Yama According to the Classical Religious Texts, explores the role of Yama, as the god-king-hero with roots in Indo-European mythology, with a shared belief in the origin and the fate of humankind. Contextualizing and comparing overlapping features of Indian, Iranian, and Near Eastern mythology testify to the existence of a much earlier myth, affirming the ancient Yama as an important figure in the myth’s overall cross-cultural universality. In India, Yama is the king of the Golden Age during the first age of the creation, as both the spiritual and material leader. In Iran, he is the first king, founder of civilization, and educator of all people. He is referred to as the descendant of the first man. Similar to the biblical story of Adam, he is the progenitor of the human race, and his death marks the origin of death. He is referred to as a god, an immortal who is the first to die, the father of the human race, and the king of the dead. Taking these texts as a starting point, the commonalities among Yama and his ancient Near Eastern counterparts are brought to light.

A note on Professor Dandekar's interpretation of the Yama Mythology

Dandekar starts his essay Yama in the Veda by acknowledging that “the picture of Yama –his personality and functions- as reconstructed from the ṚV references is characterised by considerable inconsistency, discrepancy, and vagueness”. In order to solve these problems he proposes an approach “from the standpoint of ‘evolutionay’ mythology” with the view “to restate the whole Yama-mythology as a reasonably homogeneous and consistent whole” . The elements that presumably are thought to be included in the class of inconsistencies, discrepancies and vagueness related to the Yama-mythology may be grouped for the sake of the exposition in ten characteristic elements.

The Yamas and Niyamas: Part 2 - Medieval and Modern Views

Yoga Scotland Magazine, 2016

This article examines how the Yamas and Niyamas have been interpreted in texts of various medieval and modern traditions. In some cases, these behavioural guidelines were adapted for different audiences and, in other cases, they were reinterpreted according to the doctrinal views of a tradition. We shall also consider why some systems of yoga, such as Śaivism’s Ṣaḍaṅgayoga and early types of Haṭhayoga, omitted the Yamas and Niyamas. Finally, we will discuss the ongoing influence of the Pātañjalayogaśāstra in medieval India and examine specific examples of how Ahiṃsā, Brahmacarya and Tapas have been reinterpreted. IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY READING THE TEXT ON YOUR WEB BROWSER, PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE PDF AND VIEW ON YOUR COMPUTER.

1 Yamuna: A Goddess in Distress

The Yamuna is considered one of the holiest rivers in the Indian subcontinent. The river is a part of India's history, dating back to the Mahabharata era (1450 BC), the Indus valley civilization, and the Mughal era of the 17 th century. The river has been a symbol of spirituality and nobility. However, the river has been facing severe environmental degradation since the past century. The country's rapid development and industrial revolution have exerted tremendous pressure on the river basin, with the river's 22 km stretch through the National Capital Territory of Delhi being heavily polluted. The disposal of untreated or partly treated industrial and sewage effluents, the inefficiency of the sewage treatment plants, agricultural activities, canalization, and diversion of water to meet the growing population's needs in the lower segments has led to the present devastating state of the river. Although the upper segments are comparatively cleaner and healthier, overgrazing and urbanization threaten the basin's biodiversity. Even when the Yamuna is a center of attraction for spiritual activities, the river is exploited with devotees disposing of offerings, dead bodies, mass bathings, and over-tourism. Such activities have degraded the riverine biodiversity, especially in the plains, with many species endangered or extinct. Steps to ensure the protection of riverine ecosystems like Ramsar sites, biodiversity parks, and natural sewage treatment plants to improve the river's biotic features are positive signs. Various NGOs and religious groups do their part by spreading awareness through festivals and rituals, educating the public to reduce plastics and non-biodegradable materials harmful to aquatic life.

Healing and Salt Waters: The Bifurcated Cosmos of Mazdaean Religion

Zoroastrian cosmology posits a bifurcation in all material creation, resulting from primordial events when Ahriman's assault introduced corrupting substances into the things Ohrmazd established as ideal and perfect (salt into water, smoke into fire, e.g.). Traces of this ideology are recognized in Herodotean accounts of the Achaemenids and the Magi, including their ideas concerning noxious animals (1.140) and the inscription Darius raised for the river Tearus in Thrace, celebrating its remarkably pure healing waters (4.90-91).

“Asking Questions of the Divine Announcements in the Flood Stories from Ancient Mesopotamia and Israel.”

Gilgames̆ and the World of Assyria: …, 2007

“Asking Questions of the Divine Announcements in the Flood Stories from Ancient Mesopotamia and Israel.” In: Joseph Azize and Noel Weeks (eds.). Gilgameš and the World of Assyria. Proceedings of the Conference held at Mandelbaum House, The University of Sydney, 21-23 July 2004. Ancient Near Eastern Studies Supplement Series 21. Leuven, Paris, Dudley MA: Peeters 2007, 147-172. E-mail: r.toddstanton@gmail.com

The Historical and Philosophical Exegesis on Yagya in Ancient India

Interdisciplinary Journal of Yagya Research

Yagya or sacrifice has been an integral part of Indian history and culture. More particularly in ancient India, Yagya appears as the backbone of entire social and political structure. Thus, most of the Vedic literature revolves around the sacrificial ritual in different forms for numerous purposes. In contemporary world, when the scientific temperament dominates almost all spheres of life, masses seek to comprehend everything pertaining to human lives in a rational way. However, the recognized truth is that human society exists in a dilemmatic situation where on one hand they are not ready to discard their cultural heritage, customs and traditions and on the other hand they aspire to abide with scientific logic and reason. Therefore, it is essential to trace the philosophy and common logic of one of the most consistent sacrificial practice of Indian culture, i.e. Yagya. And since the Yagya tradition traces its antiquity from the ancient India, there is a requirement to illustrate t...