ACK-094:Pratibhashali Birbal

After a long time a Hindi ACK is being scanned and posted by me to keep this blog alive which is facing trouble due to ego clash between one of its founder member and the revivor of this blog.

I seriously wish that everything settles between them and things are restored peacefully again.

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ACK-093: Madhvacharya

ACK Description:

Madhvacharya taught men to look upon the world of matter and souls as real instead of as illusory and unreal in a philosophical sense. He therefore put forward a fresh ontological classification of reality into two orders, Svatantra and Paratantra - independent and dependent. God alone is the one independent reality. Hence the name Dvaita (dualism) given to his system.

Madhva freed the concept of Bhakti from the clutches of blind faith and placed it in its right perspective as informed faith in, and love of God, both based on a right understanding of his glory. He also rescued it from the pitfalls of sentimentalism, eroticism and other maladies.

Madhva lived a robust life of 79 years. He was a prolific writer in Sanskrit prose and verse. He wrote thirty-nine works which are collectively known as Sarvamula. These include commentaries on Rig Veda, Upanishads, Gita, Brahmasutras, Mahabharata, Bhagawat and critical works on logic and metaphysics, rituals and sadachara (right conduct). He also wrote a number of devotional hymns.

The Chaitanya Sampradaya of Bengal is deeply indebted to Madhva's philosophy in many respects. It includes in its guruparampara Madhva and his successors, Jayatirtha and Vyasatirtha. The followers of Madhva are found on Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra, Maharashtra, Goa and U.P.

Madhva's system has made a massive contribution to Indian philosophy through the writings of great commentators such as Jayatirtha, Vyasatirtha, Raghuthama, Vadiraja and Raghavendra, to mention only a few. The Haridasas of Karnataka, owing allegiance to Madhva philosophy, such as Purandara Dasa, Kanaka Dasa and Jagannatha Dasa have made equally significant contributions to Kannada religious literature.

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Download ACK-093 "Madhvacharya"
(34 pages, 1200 px wide, 9.9 MB)

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Author: Dr BNK Sharma
Illustrator: HS Chavan
Cover: C.M.Vitankar

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Find more related information here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advaita
	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvaita
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhvacharya
	http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/hindu/holymen/3336.htm
http://www.gosai.com/dvaita/madhvacharya.html
	http://www.indiadivine.org/articles/46/1/Great-Teachers-Madhvacharya/Page1.html
http://www.dlshq.org/saints/madhva.htm

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ACK-092: Padmini

Rani Padmini of Chittorgarh

ACK Description:

In the history of India, Padmini of Chittor holds a very prominent position. She was a perfect model of ideal Indian womanhood. When the values cherished by her were threatened by Ala-ud-din Khilji, the mighty Afghan king of Delhi, she faced her problems with exceptional courage. A lesser woman would not have been able to face Ala-ud-din, but Padmini was no ordinary woman. She was a living example of virtuous womanhood.

It was this that inspired many a legend about her. This story of Padmini is based on Padmavat by the famous Sufi poet Malik Muhammed Jayasi and Gora-Badal by the poet Jaymal.

 Download ACK_Padmini

(34 pages, 1200 px wide, 8.45 MB)

Author: Yagya Sharma
Illustrator: Ram Waeerkar

Cover: Ram Waeerkar

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More information on Rani Padmini

Rani Padmini was the queen of Chittor and the wife of King Rawal Ratan Singh.
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The Indian Helen, as she is also known, Padmini is considered to be the epitome of Indian woman-hood and a personification of sacrifice and valour. Her story has been immortalized in Padmavat, an epic poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in the Awadhi language in the year 1540 ^[1].
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In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Delhi Sultanate dominated the political milieu of Northern India. The Delhi Sultans made repeated attacks against their Rajput opponents, especially the Sisodias of Mewar, on one pretext or the other. The first sack of Chittor by Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1303 AD is traditionally considered to have been the result of his infatuation with, and lust for, Ratan Singh's wife, Padmini. ^[1]. Ala-ud-Din Khilji received support for his annexation attempts from two of Ratan Singh's own courtiers, namely the brothers, Raghav and Chetan. The duo had initially enjoyed Ratan Singh's highest confidence and had been privy to many State secrets which they then threatened to betray if they were not paid well for their silence. Ratan Singh had recently married the beautiful Padmini, the daughter of King Gandharvasen (also known as Hamir Sank) of Sinhala Dvipa (present-day Sri Lanka) and his wife, Queen Champavati, ^[2] and had received a handsome and generous dowry from her parents. The brothers demanded a large portion of this dowry as payment for their silence. Furious at their exhortation, Ratan Singh had them banished from Chittor, with the understanding that they would be killed if they were ever found on his territory again. In revenge, the brothers went to Delhi and instigated Ala-ud-din Khilji to attack Chittor by inflaming both the Sultan's lust for beautiful women and his uncompromising greed for land and more territory.
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Since Ala-ud-din found that he and his opponent were evenly matched in military capabilities, he decided to resort to treachery and diplomacy to conquer Chittor. He sent word to Ratan Singh that he was willing to offer friendship if he could only behold Padmini's face just once, further claiming that he considered Padmini to be his sister. The unsuspecting Ratan Singh asked Padmini to meet her newfound 'brother', but the Queen, suspecting a trap, refused. Instead, she insisted that her husband only permit the Sultan to look at her reflection in a mirror. Ratan Singh agreed and sent for Ala-ud-din, who arrived to meet the Queen, accompanied by his most trusted generals and soldiers. While Ala-ud-din waited impatiently to meet Padmini, his generals carefully examined the fort's defenses to help them plan their attack of Chittor. Padmini stood by a lotus pool as Ala-ud-din gazed at her reflection in a mirror, stunned by her beauty. When he was further informed that he would not be able to personally meet Padmini, despite his claims of new-found kinship with the couple, the Sultan felt both humiliated and cheated. As Ratan Singh accompanied him out of the fort, as a good host should, his men fell upon the King and took him prisoner to the Sultan's camp.
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Ala-ud-din then sent a note to Padmini that if she wished her husband to be released unharmed, that she should forthwith become his mistress. The Rani responded that she would meet the Sultan the next morning. At the crack of dawn the following day, one hundred and fifty palanquins (covered carriages in which royal ladies were carried about in medieval times) left the fort and made their way towards Ala-ud-din's camps. 150 able-bodied soldiers, led by Padmini's brother, Badal, emerged from these carriages and fell upon the Sultan's unsuspecting men in a sudden and unexpected attack. The Rajputs then returned to the fort, having rescued their King, and temporarily scoring a major victory over the Sultan of Delhi.
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Ala-ud-din responded by laying siege to the fort of Chittor. After a long drawn out campaign, supplies within the fort gradually dwindled. Ratan Singh gave orders for the fort's gates to be flung open and an all-out attack be launched on the would-be invaders as they could not hold out any more. Padmini was aware that her her husband's troops were hopelessly outnumbered and that they would be defeated and dishonored. Rather than be raped and witness the Sultan's army pillaging Chittor, Padmini and her retinue of women decided to commit suicide. The children of the nobility were smuggled out of the fort with trusted aides and attendants in order to save them from the invaders.

Jauhar (Self Immolation)

The Jauhar place of Rani Padmini

At dawn on August 26, 1303, a huge pyre was lit in a room with a single door. The Queen and the noblewomen of her court, the wives, sisters and daughters of ministers and courtiers, bid their young children and menfolk farewell, dressed up in their wedding finery, went into the room with the pyre, locked the door behind them and jumped into the flames en masse. The men donned saffron robes, and threw open the gates of the fort. Almost all of the Rajputs perished in battle that day. The Sultan and his troops entered the fort, eager to rape and pillage, and were sorely disappointed when confronted with the evidence of the mass suicide.

Rani Padmini's life and death has the subject of many legends, ballads and even movies in recent years. Unfortunately, no images of her have been preserved although her courage and sacrifice continue to impress one today as they did during her lifetime more than seven centuries ago.

The above information has been taken from wikipedia source. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_Padmini)

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Answer to Aditya's query.

Aditya (adibud34) left a very good comment on the last post (Vasavadatta) where he enquired about the later life of Udayan and Vasavdatta and response of Pradhyotha (father of Vasavadatta) to their marrying. That sent me in some qustioning myself. Why this tale was named after Vasavadatta, when she apparantly had no greater role in this story. She only appears like just another character in the story among some other equally important characters.

I searched and found some more information about this play and it proved to be a very exciting find and I felt thrilled by knowing the actual (and complete) story. What this ACK presented is only about 20% of the whole play.

The story of Udayan and Vasavadatta was well known and very popular among the general public in ancient India.It was made the subject of many plays and poems of that time. But most notably the great playwrite "Bhasa" compiled it in his greatest classic named "Swapnavasavadatta". Later other writers like Subandhu worked on the same theme and produced their versions of the story. During 5th century C.E., it appeared in Pali and Prakrut languages and it was present in Dhamma-pada-atthakatha. This ACK is based on this last source only.

Dear Aditya, for answer of your question, read the following paragraphs where Bhasa's "Swapnavasavadatta" is presented in condensed form.

SWAPNA VASAVA DATTA" By Bhasa Once upon a time “Vatsa kingdom was ruled by the great king Udhayana. He fell into love with a beautiful and striking young lady Vasavadatta, who is  the daughter of a   prominent King Prodhyatha. Udayana married Vasavadatta and made him his better half.The couple become illustration of made for each other and lead the way as “The greatest couple ”. Once the neighbor King “ Aruni” attacked on  Udayana, in the battle Udayana accepted the defeat. Yougandharayana - The intelligent Prime minister   of Udayana,   thought to regain the territory from the cloches of Aruni. He approached Vasavadatta to sacrifice her life for the sake of his nation. She accepted, The sacrifice is that - she has to sacrifice her husband in account to accept the second marriage for her husband with Padmavathi , sister of the renowned king Dharshaka, a King of Magadha. But people know him as not only loyal to the people but also with Wife. To safeguard the prestige of King ,accomplished Yougandharayana propagate the queen Vasavadatta was no more. After hearing the death of Vasavadatta, King was so anguish and went into agony. Later Proficient prime minister clandestinely appointed Vasavadatta as Chelikatthe namely “ Avanthika” (House maid to Princess padmavathi) at Princess Anthapuram. Later King Udayana got second marriage with Padmavathi. One day the King sees Vasavadatta(Avantika), at the moment she disappears, then the king thought that Vasavadatta came in his dream. Based on this situation, this drama named  as  “ Swapna Vasavadatta”  Later, King Udayana retaliated Aruni with the help of Dharshaka, subsequently Udayana regain his territory. All of a sudden, one fine morning King Pradhyotha sent a big size caricature of  Vasavadatta  to King Udayana as mark of gift. After watching the photograph of vasavadatta, Princess Padmavathi came to know that Vasavadatta alias Avanthika is other way wife of Prince. Then Padmavathi understood the sacrifice of Vasavadatta. Padmavathi realize the sacrifice of Vasavadatta, She invite Vasavadatta  to remain as wife of King Udayana and allow them lead their life as it was earlier.

So this clearly suggests that King Pradyotha had accepted Udayan as his son-in-law. We also get to know the reason why "Vasavadatta" was chosen as title. Really thrilling tale of great sacrifice by her though finally everything settled well.

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ACK-090 and ACK-091 "Battle of Wits" and "Vasavadatta"

We are happy to present a double treat for our readers on the special occasion of Holi. Hope you find these interesting.

ACK-090 "Battle of Wits"

ACK Description:

All living creatures die to be born again, according to Hindu belief. Legend has it that several lifetimes as a Bodhisattva went into the making of the Buddha, the enlightened one.

The Bodhisattva came in many forms - man, monkey, deer, elephantom, lion. Whatever his mortal frame, he spread the message of justice and wisdom, tempered with compassion. This wisdom of right thinking and right living is persevered in the Jataka TAles.

We cannot assign a definite date to the Jataka Tales. Taking into account ardhaelogical and literary evidence, it appears that they were compiled between 300 B.C. and A.D. 500. They give us invaluable information about ancient indian Indian civilization, culture and thought.

According to Maha Ummagga Jataka, the Bodhisattva was once born as Aushadh Kumar, the son of Seth Shrivardhana of Yavamajjhaka. This Chitraa Katha recounts a few tales of the childhood of Aushadha Kumar.

Download ACK-089 "Battle of Wits"

(33 pages, 1200 px wide, 8.9 MB)

Script: Yagya Sharma

Illustrations: Ram Waeerkar

Cover: Ram Waeerkar
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ACK-091 "Vasavadatta"

ACK Description:

King Pradyota wanted to be considered greater than neighboring king Udayana who famous for his ability to cast a spell on elephants in the enemy army. Pradyota plants a white elephant in the forest at the common boundary of their rival kingdoms, tricking Udayana into coming to get it. Pradyota's men waiting inside the fake elephant, capture Udayana.

Chided by Udayana for unbecoming conduct, Pradyota offers to free him if Udayana teaches him how to cast a spell on elephants. Udayana demands homage due to a guru for the instruction. Pradyota considers it demeaning and asks Udayana to teach a hunchback instead. The hunchback is none other than his daughter Vasavadatta who is told that the guru is diseased and so they would be separated by curtains. In the course of this instruction, a verbal tiff between teacher and taught brings them face-to-face and the inevitable happens...

This old story has been narrated in Pali prose and Sanskrit verse and has provided plots for two Sanskrit plays.

Download ACK-091 "Vasavadatta"

 (35 pages, 1200 px wide, 8.85 MB)

Author:Meena Talim

Illustrator: Pratap Mulick 

Cover:  Pratap Mulick

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Wishing all the visitors and readers of this blog a very happy and colorful holi.