Shatapatha Brahmana Puns

Understanding the Ashwamedha Yajna

This is probably a relevant topic to discuss as polemicists of the Hindu tradition have begun taking one of the controversial aspects of the Ashwamedha sacrifice as a tool to denigrate and disparage the Hindu tradition. But what is the traditional narrative regarding the Aswamedha yajna and what relevance does it have in contemporary Hindu society? Let us investigate .

The historical and theological context

The earlier corpus of Vedic literature(the Samhitas,brahmanas) dealing with ritual sacrifice falls into the category of karmakanda (which places greater emphasis on the mode of action as a means to salvation), while the later texts such as the Aranyakas and Upanishads constitute the jnanakanda (which emphasises esoteric understanding).

Vedic society, during the age in which karmakanda was prominent, centred around a ritual known as Yajna.

The rites in the karmakandha are followed to produce specific temporal rewards which are materialistic in nature. Since they are temporary rewards, they represent a lower mode of worship than the jnanakanda. This mode of ritual is done via appeasement or propitiation of limited beings known devas and is not to be equated with the Bhakti directed towards the Eternal Brahman as found in the jnanakanda. In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:-

3.8.10. “He, O Gārgī, who in this world, without knowing this Immutable Being, offers oblations in the fire, performs sacrifices and undergoes austerities even for many thousand years, finds all such acts but perishable; he, O Gārgī, who departs from this world without knowing this Immutable, is miserable. But he, O Gārgī, who departs from this world after knowing this Immutable, is a knower of Brahman.”

There are three types of ritual practices which are described in the Vedas:- the Nitya karmas (necessary rites), the Naimitika karmas (the occasional rites) and the Kamya karmas (desire oriented rites).

1. The Nitya karmas are to be followed on a daily basis to produce the necessary results required for expiating sin. According to Vedanta, the Nitya karmas are to be performed without desiring the outcome of the ritual-such a process is known as karma yoga. These rites are also known as nishkamya karmas as they are done without any objective in mind. The non performance of the Nitya karmas invites sin on the individual. ex:- Agnihotra.

2. The Naimitika karmas are occasional rites -examples include the Upanayana for the initiation of Vedic educ

A brief walkthrough of Indian political history, focusing on the actually important things rather than just the stuff there are more tertiary sources on/that historians care more about.

Table of Contents

1. Prologue: the thousand-year recession
2. Early Iron Age (1200 BC – 750 BC)
3. Middle Iron Age (750 BC – 493 BC)
4. Late Iron Age (492 BC – 323 BC)
5. Classical Age: First Golden Age (322 BC – 269 BC)
6. Classical Age: Civil War period (268 BC – 181 BC)
7. Classical Age: Invasions period (180 BC – 249 AD)
8. Classical Age: Second Golden Age (250 – 543)
9. Classical Age: Intermediary period (544 – 749)
10. Classical Age: Third Golden Age (750 – 1194)
11. Dark Ages: Muslim period (1195 – 1669)
12. Dark Ages: Reconquest period (1670 – 1756)

Prologue: the thousand-year recession

The political system of Bronze Age India was probably a plutocracy.

https://preview.redd.it/41jg05m5tlv71.png?width=584&format=png&auto=webp&s=a93ff76ffbcb4b05bb2a7d676c794e3ba6e82793

In its peak, the Indus Valley civilization was the source of various technological innovations particularly in the fields of agriculture, water management, infrastructure and measurement. As the Indus Valley script remains undeciphered and very little of its writing remains, it is harder to comment on its academic achievements, most of these are first known from Mesopotamia (Egypt is a somewhat overrated Bronze Age civilization – it showed very little urbanization and was also a late adopter of the wheel; it just has an impressive archaeological record because of its palace economy).

In 1900 BC, a global depression struck. Indian cities crumbled; Near Eastern cities turned into stagnant palace economies; almost no inventions date to this period.

And then in 1200 BC, civilization collapsed.

It was the most mysterious event: Cities throughout the world burned and perished, literacy vanished, disease and local violence became widespread – civilization, from Greece to Gujarat, just collapsed.

Many historians posit pseudo-explanations for the Late Bronze Age collapse, like climate change, or “General Systems Collapse”, but none of these “explanations” are really good as scientific theories. Folks of the time were as confused by the event as we are – a letter from the Syrian king Ammurapi to the king of Cyprus reads:

>My father, behold, the enemy's ships came (here); my cities(?) were burned, and they did evil things in my country. Does not my father know that all my troops

Nan Mandol, the lost city reclaimed by nature and once home of a massive creature now living in the Carroña Archipelago.

Monarch Designation: Matsya

Classification: Titanus Matsya

Nature: Bio-Electrical

Body Length: 943ft

Body Height: 292ft

Behavior: Protector

Range: Worldwide

In Hindu Scripture the god Vishnu has a Fish Incarnation called Matsya, one of the Ten Primary Incarnations who saved Manu the first man from the great flood, said to be a massive golden fish with a horn or a human torso with a fish lower body. However in it's earliest depictions from Shatapatha Brahmana the savior fish is not associated to any deity and is it's own entity, it was merged with Brahma in the post-Vedic era and then with Vishnu, meaning it was a myth that has been altered from it's original form. In mostly all myths Matsya starts with the fish as a small creature who Manu protects as it grows into a giant creature and saves it's protector from the deluge, with later myths also adding that it killed a demon who stole the sacred scriptures making it a savior entity. In the first known myth Matsya is a small fish who was in the water Manu was to use for his ablutions and feared being eaten, so it requested Manu to protect him in from a future flood. Manu accepts this and he moves the fish to a water pot where it starts growing, until it is so big Manu must dig a large ditch so it can keep growing, and after some time it is so massive it is safe from all danger and is returned to the ocean. The fish is grateful and tells Manu the exact time of the flood and to build a ship that he can tie to it's horn so it can carry him to safety, some time later on the exact date Manu arrives with his ship and ties it to Matsya's horn as the flood strikes. The fish carries Manu and his ship to the highest elevation through a massive storm, The Himalayas, and Manu is saved and is able to reestablish life on earth. Much of the other myths made later of the fish and Manu are the same, though they have the fish as Vishnu or Brahma, as well as the fish slaying the demon Hayasiraswho had stolen the Vedas, sacred texts, by dragging him onto land to kill and having the fish as a divine figure from the start rather then growing into one. In these other texts Vishnu-Matsya can also shapeshift into other forms like that of a crocodile. In our investigations

The basic ratios adopted in Dholavira’s plan, r = 5/4 or 1.25 (for the castle, the town, and a few other internal proportions) and 7/6 (for the middle town), must have held a special significance in the Harappan mind, most likely an auspicious one. Indeed, it is quite remarkable that these same ratios are commonly prescribed as auspicious proportions for houses in various traditions of Vastu Shilpa.

Varahamihira, for instance, writes in chapter 53 of his Brihat Samhita: “The length of a king’s palace is greater than the breadth by a quarter.... The length of the house of a commander-in-chief exceeds the width by a sixth.”

These two ratios (1 + 1/4 and 1 + 1/6) are better expressed as 5/4 and 7/6 — very precisely Dholavira’s basic proportions! This seems too much of a coincidence: while Vastu Shastra as codified in Varahamihira’s time (or possibly earlier) was clearly not in existence during the mature Harappan phase, it is wholly possible that specific proportions regarded as auspicious in Harappan times were carefully preserved and later integrated in a systematic approach to architecture.

It may be objected that Dholavira’s architects preceded Varahamihira by some three millennia; if a tradition of auspicious ratios was thus preserved, should we not have some trace of it in between? Indeed we do: the Shulba Sutras provide one such missing link. For instance, Baudhayana’s Shulba Sutra (4.3) lists detailed dimensions for the trapezium-shaped sacrificial ground (mahavedi),where the sacred fire altars are to be arranged its longer (western) side must measure 30 prakramas (a unit roughly equal to 54 cm) while its shorter (eastern) side will be 24 prakramas — exactly our ratio r = 5/4. We find r again embedded in Baudhayana’s system of units (spelt out in 1.3):

for instance it is the ratio between the pada (= 15 angulas) and the pradesha (= 12 angulas), and between the purusa (5 aratnis) and the vyayama (4 aratnis). More research is likely to bring out similar examples from the Brahmanas and the Puranas.

In the meantime, is it not fascinating that proportions deliberately adopted at Dholavira and Lothal should have such a central importance in the Shulba Sutras as well as Vastu Vidya? In itself, the preservation of ratios and units right from Harappan times is nothing to be surprised at: it has long been noted that Harappan units of lengths and weight resurfaced in historical times, and there has been a steadily mounting body of evidence.

the

There are no proper verses or texts in our holy books that forbids the consumption of the animal Cow.

In fact there are several mentions in our holy books where the cow is either sacrificed or consumed. Let's look at a few examples below.

In chapter 88 of Anushasana Parva also called the book of instructions, the thirteenth book in the collection of 18 books Epic Mahabharata written by Ved Vyasa, tells an exchange of conversation between Bhishma and Yudhishthir.

In the conversation, Yudhishthir asks Bhisma how much gratification will our ancestors attain if we offer different animals/plants/objects as sacrifice.

Bhishma replies if fruit/rice/sesame seeds etc are offered your ancestors will attain 2 months of gratification

If flesh of goat is offered, you get 3 months of gratification if flesh of hare is offered, you get 4 months gratification. If flesh of pig you get 6 months gratification If flesh of birds you get 7 months gratification If flesh of buffalo you get 11 months gratification If flesh of cow you get 12 months gratification If flesh of rhinoceros you get 120 months gratification.

In Rig Veda , there is a mention where the female cow were sacrificed and consumed on special occasions.

In the ancient texts called 'Brahmanas' specifies that it is considered Dharma that the cow should be killed and eaten when a guest arrives.

There is a passage in 'Shatapatha Brahmana'(3.1.2.21) where it is mentioned that cow and bull meat is forbidden but was immediately contradicted by sage Yajnavalkya that he eats both cow and bull as long as their meat is tender.

In the story of King Prithu who wanted to punish earth so that it can yield nourishment for his people , earth assumed the form of cow and begged him to spare her life, she then allowed him to milk her for all that the people needed.

This myth imagines a transition from Hunting wild cattle to preserving their lives, domesticating them and breeding them for milk, a transition to agriculture and pastoral life, it visualizes cow as a useful animal that yields food without being killed.

People have been drinking/utilizing cow/buffalo/goat milk from the start of time but never was the goat or buffalo considered as mother or maatha.

Why and when have we started giving such high privilege to cow? Our Rishi muni used to consume cow meat but in present times if you consume cow meat you are considered anti Hindu, isn't this hypocrisy?

In present day cow is a political tool to disenfranchise

I don't want to step on anybody's toes here, but the amount of non-dad jokes here in this subreddit really annoys me. First of all, dad jokes CAN be NSFW, it clearly says so in the sub rules. Secondly, it doesn't automatically make it a dad joke if it's from a conversation between you and your child. Most importantly, the jokes that your CHILDREN tell YOU are not dad jokes. The point of a dad joke is that it's so cheesy only a dad who's trying to be funny would make such a joke. That's it. They are stupid plays on words, lame puns and so on. There has to be a clever pun or wordplay for it to be considered a dad joke.

Again, to all the fellow dads, I apologise if I'm sounding too harsh. But I just needed to get it off my chest.

Do your worst!

I'm surprised it hasn't decade.

For context I'm a Refuse Driver (Garbage man) & today I was on food waste. After I'd tipped I was checking the wagon for any defects when I spotted a lone pea balanced on the lifts.

I said "hey look, an escaPEA"

No one near me but it didn't half make me laugh for a good hour or so!

Edit: I can't believe how much this has blown up. Thank you everyone I've had a blast reading through the replies 😂

It really does, I swear!

They’re on standbi

Pilot on me!!

Nothing, he was gladiator.

Dad jokes are supposed to be jokes you can tell a kid and they will understand it and find it funny.

This sub is mostly just NSFW puns now.

If it needs a NSFW tag it's not a dad joke. There should just be a NSFW puns subreddit for that.

Edit* I'm not replying any longer and turning off notifications but to all those that say "no one cares", there sure are a lot of you arguing about it. Maybe I'm wrong but you people don't need to be rude about it. If you really don't care, don't comment.

When I got home, they were still there.

What did 0 say to 8 ?

" Nice Belt "

So What did 3 say to 8 ?

" Hey, you two stop making out "

I won't be doing that today!

[Removed]

This morning, my 4 year old daughter.

Daughter: I'm hungry

Me: nerves building, smile widening

Me: Hi hungry, I'm dad.

She had no idea what was going on but I finally did it.

Thank you all for listening.

There hasn't been a post all year!

You take away their little brooms

It was about a weak back.

Where ever you left it 🤷‍♀️🤭

Why

It’s pronounced “Noel.”

After all his first name is No-vac

What, then, is Chinese rap?

Edit:

Notable mentions from the comments:

• Spanish/Swedish/Swiss/Serbian hits

• French/Finnish art

• Country/Canadian rap

• Chinese/Country/Canadian rock

• Turkish/Tunisian/Taiwanese rap

There hasn't been a single post this year!

(Happy 2022 from New Zealand)

Nothing, it just waved

Him: I can explain everything!

(It's his best joke yet I think)

There are no proper verses or texts in our holy books that forbids the consumption of the animal Cow.

In fact there are several mentions in our holy books where the cow is either sacrificed or consumed. Let's look at a few examples below.

In chapter 88 of Anushasana Parva also called the book of instructions, the thirteenth book in the collection of 18 books Epic Mahabharata written by Ved Vyasa, tells an exchange of conversation between Bhishma and Yudhishthir.

In the conversation, Yudhishthir asks Bhisma how much gratification will our ancestors attain if we offer different animals/plants/objects as sacrifice.

Bhishma replies if fruit/rice/sesame seeds etc are offered your ancestors will attain 2 months of gratification

If flesh of goat is offered, you get 3 months of gratification if flesh of hare is offered, you get 4 months gratification. If flesh of pig you get 6 months gratification If flesh of birds you get 7 months gratification If flesh of buffalo you get 11 months gratification If flesh of cow you get 12 months gratification If flesh of rhinoceros you get 120 months gratification.

In Rig Veda , there is a mention where the female cow were sacrificed and consumed on special occasions.

In the ancient texts called 'Brahmanas' specifies that it is considered Dharma that the cow should be killed and eaten when a guest arrives.

There is a passage in 'Shatapatha Brahmana'(3.1.2.21) where it is mentioned that cow and bull meat is forbidden but was immediately contradicted by sage Yajnavalkya that he eats both cow and bull as long as their meat is tender.

In the story of King Prithu who wanted to punish earth so that it can yield nourishment for his people , earth assumed the form of cow and begged him to spare her life, she then allowed him to milk her for all that the people needed.

This myth imagines a transition from Hunting wild cattle to preserving their lives, domesticating them and breeding them for milk, a transition to agriculture and pastoral life, it visualizes cow as a useful animal that yields food without being killed.

People have been drinking/utilizing cow/buffalo/goat milk from the start of time but never was the goat or buffalo considered as mother or maatha.

Why and when have we started giving such high privilege to cow? Our Rishi muni used to consume cow meat but in present times if you consume cow meat you are considered anti Hindu, isn't this hypocrisy?

In present day cow is a political tool to disenfranchi

There are no proper verses or texts in our holy books that forbids the consumption of the animal Cow.

In fact there are several mentions in our holy books where the cow is either sacrificed or consumed. Let's look at a few examples below.

In chapter 88 of Anushasana Parva also called the book of instructions, the thirteenth book in the collection of 18 books Epic Mahabharata written by Ved Vyasa, tells an exchange of conversation between Bhishma and Yudhishthir.

In the conversation, Yudhishthir asks Bhisma how much gratification will our ancestors attain if we offer different animals/plants/objects as sacrifice.

Bhishma replies if fruit/rice/sesame seeds etc are offered your ancestors will attain 2 months of gratification

If flesh of goat is offered, you get 3 months of gratification if flesh of hare is offered, you get 4 months gratification. If flesh of pig you get 6 months gratification If flesh of birds you get 7 months gratification If flesh of buffalo you get 11 months gratification If flesh of cow you get 12 months gratification If flesh of rhinoceros you get 120 months gratification.

In Rig Veda , there is a mention where the female cow were sacrificed and consumed on special occasions.

In the ancient texts called 'Brahmanas' specifies that it is considered Dharma that the cow should be killed and eaten when a guest arrives.

There is a passage in 'Shatapatha Brahmana'(3.1.2.21) where it is mentioned that cow and bull meat is forbidden but was immediately contradicted by sage Yajnavalkya that he eats both cow and bull as long as their meat is tender.

In the story of King Prithu who wanted to punish earth so that it can yield nourishment for his people , earth assumed the form of cow and begged him to spare her life, she then allowed him to milk her for all that the people needed.

This myth imagines a transition from Hunting wild cattle to preserving their lives, domesticating them and breeding them for milk, a transition to agriculture and pastoral life, it visualizes cow as a useful animal that yields food without being killed.

People have been drinking/utilizing cow/buffalo/goat milk from the start of time but never was the goat or buffalo considered as mother or maatha.

Why and when have we started giving such high privilege to cow? Our Rishi muni used to consume cow meat but in present times if you consume cow meat you are considered anti Hindu, isn't this hypocrisy?

In present day cow is a political tool to disenfranchi

There are no proper verses or texts in our holy books that forbids the consumption of the animal Cow.

In fact there are several mentions in our holy books where the cow is either sacrificed or consumed. Let's look at a few examples below.

In chapter 88 of Anushasana Parva also called the book of instructions, the thirteenth book in the collection of 18 books Epic Mahabharata written by Ved Vyasa, tells an exchange of conversation between Bhishma and Yudhishthir.

In the conversation, Yudhishthir asks Bhisma how much gratification will our ancestors attain if we offer different animals/plants/objects as sacrifice.

Bhishma replies if fruit/rice/sesame seeds etc are offered your ancestors will attain 2 months of gratification

If flesh of goat is offered, you get 3 months of gratification if flesh of hare is offered, you get 4 months gratification. If flesh of pig you get 6 months gratification If flesh of birds you get 7 months gratification If flesh of buffalo you get 11 months gratification If flesh of cow you get 12 months gratification If flesh of rhinoceros you get 120 months gratification.

In Rig Veda , there is a mention where the female cow were sacrificed and consumed on special occasions.

In the ancient texts called 'Brahmanas' specifies that it is considered Dharma that the cow should be killed and eaten when a guest arrives.

There is a passage in 'Shatapatha Brahmana'(3.1.2.21) where it is mentioned that cow and bull meat is forbidden but was immediately contradicted by sage Yajnavalkya that he eats both cow and bull as long as their meat is tender.

In the story of King Prithu who wanted to punish earth so that it can yield nourishment for his people , earth assumed the form of cow and begged him to spare her life, she then allowed him to milk her for all that the people needed.

This myth imagines a transition from Hunting wild cattle to preserving their lives, domesticating them and breeding them for milk, a transition to agriculture and pastoral life, it visualizes cow as a useful animal that yields food without being killed.

People have been drinking/utilizing cow/buffalo/goat milk from the start of time but never was the goat or buffalo considered as mother or maatha.

Why and when have we started giving such high privilege to cow? Our Rishi muni used to consume cow meat but in present times if you consume cow meat you are considered anti Hindu, isn't this hypocrisy?

In present day cow is a political tool to disenfranchise M