India's Cultural Influence

Date- 26th July 2012

The ancient language of Sanskrit is regarded as the mother of all European languages. Etymologists (people who study languages) point to similarities between vocabularies of various languages such as Latin and Greek which are ancestors of all modern European languages including English.

The language was transported by the emigrating tribes from India, westward into Europe where it mixed with local languages and dialects giving rise to the predecessors of modern western languages. This connection can be easily identified by simple analysis of common words. Languages in Europe and some languages in the Far-East have Indian influence, either in script (Tibetan and Old Mongol script written in 2nd Century AD Brahmi script from North India and is the predecessor to Korean Hangeul Script) or language [Some words in Chinese, Thai and Khmer are Sanskrit in Origin eg. “Zen” = through Japanese 禅 and Chinese 禪 Chán ultimately from Pali झन jhāna and Sanskrit

न dhyana, which means "a meditation"]

This link was first identified by Florentine merchant Filippo Sassetti (1540 - 1588) who during his voyages to India wrote privately to fellow Florentine Bernardo Davanzati in 1585, about some word similarities between Sanskrit and Italian such as: deva/dio 'God', sarpa/serpe 'snake',sapta/sette 'seven', ashta/otto 'eight', nava/nove 'nine'. It wasn’t until the 18th Century when Englishman Sir William Jones, a judge in Calcutta, looked deeper into the relations of the various languages.

Some common words with Sanskrit origin: 

भ्रात ृ (bhrātṛ) / भ्राता (bhrātā) –> Bruder (German) ->



स्वस ृ

Brother (English)

(swasar) –> swestēr (German) -> Sister (English) (pitr) -> πατήρ (patēr) [Greek] -> pater (Latin) -> Vater (German) -> fæder (Old English) ->



fader (Middle English) -> Father (English) 



दहु ित ृ

(duhitṛ) -> θσγάτηρ (thugatēr) *Ancient Greek+ -> Tochter (German) -> dōhtor (Old English) -> doughter (Middle English) –> Daughter (English)

मात ृ (mātṛ) -> μήτηρ (mētēr) [Ancient Greek] -> māter (Latin) -> Mutter (German) -> Moder (Middle English) - ---> Mother (English)

 

Tri (three) + kon (angle) + miti (parametre) = Trikonmiti (Measuring the Triangle) -> trigōnon (triangle) + metria (measure) (Greek) -> Trigonometry (English)

Date- 26th July 2012   gya (earth) + miti (parameter) = gyaamiti (measuring the earth) -> => γῆ (gē, “earth, land, country”) + μετρέω (metréō, “to measure, to count”) or μετρία (metria, “measurement”) = γεωμετρία (geometría, “geometry, land-survey”) -> Geometry (English) 

nāus (ship) +

(agati)[to drive, propel] = Navgati (to go by boat) -> Navigatus (Latin) -> Navigate

(English) 

मत ृ

(mṛtá) (to die) -> μροτός (mrotos) [Ancient Greek] -> Mortalis (Latin) -> Muerta (Spanish) ->

Mortal (English)



(deva) (diety/demigod) -> Daevas (Avestan/Old Persian) (A being of shining light) -> Deiwos (God of Daylight and Sky) -> Dyàuṣ -> Dies (day), Divus (divine), Deus (god) [Latin] -> Δεύς (Zeus) (Greek) -> Dio (God) [Italian] -> Dios (Spanish) -> Dieu (French) -> Tiwaz (German) -> Deity, Divine (English) *also note Tuesday, like all other days of the week were named after Norse Gods of German origin. This connection is visible in TUESDAY or “Tiwaz” Day (Tiwaz’s Day)



Dyàuṣ +

(pitr) = Dyàuṣpítr (Sky Father) -> Zeu pater [Sky Father] (Greek) -> Deus pater (Latin) -

> Iūpiter (Jupiter) [Latin]

India not only influenced Western languages, but also Eastern languages: 

Siddham (Sanskrit

 

Used for writing Sanskrit during the period 600-1200 CE Descended from the Brahmi script via the “Gupta script”, which also gave rise to the Devanāgarī, Tibetan and several other Asian scripts.

It was considered important to preserve the pronunciation of mantras, for which Chinese characters were unsuitable. This led to the retention of the Siddhaṃ Script in East Asia and survived in East Asia where Tantric Buddhism persisted.

 

, "accomplished" or "perfected")

Kūkai introduced the Siddhaṃ script to Japan when he returned from China in 806, where he studied Sanskrit with Nalanda-trained monks including one known as Prajñā. By the time Kūkai learned this script, the trading and pilgrimage routes over land to India, were closed by the expanding Islamic empire of the Abbasids.



In the middle of the 9th century, China experienced a series of purges of "foreign religions", thus cutting Japan off from the sources of Siddhaṃ texts. In time, other scripts, particularly Devanagari, replaced Siddhaṃ in India, leaving East Asia as the only region where Siddhaṃ is used.



The oldest extant printed book is a Tang Dynasty work of the Sanskrit text “Diamond Sutra” (Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra) and dates back to 868

Date- 26th July 2012 

The forty-seven letters of the Japanese alphabet are said to have been devised after the pattern of the Sanskrit alphabet by the Japanese Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi (774-835 AD). The arrangement of the Japanese syllabary based on the Sanskrit system is also attributed to the influence of Bodhisena (Sanskrit

न Chinese and Japanese 菩提僊那) (704–760) an Indian Buddhist scholar

and monk, known for traveling to Japan and establishing the Kegon school.

The reach of language to other parts of the world also facilitated the transfer of literature from India to all across the old known world. In the east this transfer (mostly of Buddhist scriptures) was immortalized in one of the four greatest Chinese literatures ever written.

“Journey to the West” the fictionalised chronicle of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang’s journey to India to obtain sacred texts. The protagonist is a monkey king named Sun Wukong who bears a striking resemblance to Hanuman, the Monkey God from the epic RAMAYANA. Sun Wukong (孫悟空) is known/pronounced as Suen Ng Hung in Cantonese, Son Oh Gong in Korean, Tôn Ngộ Không in Vietnamese, Son Gokū in Japanese, Sun Go Kong In Indonesian, and Sun' Ukun in Russian.

This character is also well known in popular culture via the Japanese comics (Manga) “Dragonball Series” as the protagonist Son Goku or simply GOKU, who is part monkey and part human with great martial skill.

Date- 26th July 2012 The character Son Goku, or simply GOKU, is a well-known character in popular culture, via the Japanese comics (Manga), as the protagonist of the “Dragonball Series”. He is a Saiyan warrior who appears like a human and is capable of turning into a giant ape. He also possesses great martial skill.

The epic RAMAYANA is popular in South-East Asia as the region was once ruled by Hindu kingdoms. Besides the language similarities with Sanskrit, the dances and folk tales are reminiscent of its Indian connection. In Thailand RAMAYANA (known as Ramakien) and the character Hanuman is especially revered. Like in India, he is the patron of martial arts and combat. The classical dance steps portraying Hanuman were adopted and modified for use in combat. This formed a deadly Thai martial art, incorporating several monkey-like movements and martial dances (RAMAYANA in origin, as the names of those postures are taken from the epic). This martial art is known as Muay Thai. (Note the similarity in poses between the first two and last two images.)

(Left to right: image 1) - Hanuman presents Sita the ring of Rama.

(Image 2) - “Hanuman Thawai Waen” *Hanuman presents the ring+ posture modified for combat.

(Image 3) - “Yo Khao Prasumaru” [Lifting the Sumer Mountain] posture modified for combat.

(Image 4) - “Hanuman Lifting the Sumer Mountain” poster as found in India.

Date- 26th July 2012

 

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The origins of the story probably fall between the 8th and 9th centuries BCE. Earliest parts of the text date to 400 BC and is estimated to have reached its final form by the early th Gupta Period (ca. 4 Century AD).

The title may be translated as "The Great Tale of the Bhārata Dynasty". According to the Mahabharata itself, the tale is an extension from a shorter version of 24,000 verses called simply “Bhārata”.

Longest Sanskrit epic. Its longest version consists of over 100,000 shloka or over 200,000 individual verse lines (each shloka is a couplet) and long prose passages. About 1.8 million words in total. It’s roughly ten times the length of the Iliad and Odyssey combined, or about four times the length of the Ramayana.

Stories forming the Mahabharata are the Bhagavad Gita, the story of Damayanti, an abbreviated version of the Ramayana, and the Rishyasringa, often considered as works in their own right.

 Consists of 24,000 verses in 7 books (kāndas) and 500 cantos (sargas).  Played a pivotal role in establishing the role of Dhárma as a principle guiding force for a Hindu way of life.  Versions have been adopted as the epics of Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.  In Thailand, RAMAYANA is known as RAMAKIEN.  The character of Hanuman inspired “Sun Wukong” the protagonist in Chinese Classic – “Journey to the West” and is portrayed as a monkey king with great martial skill.

“Sun Wukong” is known as “Son Goku” in Japan and is famous in popular culture as the protagonist in the “Dragonball” anime/manga series who is a human capable of turning into an ape, and possesses great martial skills.

Date- 26th July 2012

India since antiquity has been a secular nation where various religions flourished and grew. 4 of the world’s major religious beliefs originated here: HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, JAINISM and SIKHISM. All the four religions trace their origins to HINDUISM. Over the ages other religious groups settled and made India their home: Jews, Christians, Muslims and Zoroastrians. India’s religious influence stretched from the Gangetic Plains all the way to Japan in the East and Rome in the West.

There previously existed a Tamil Hindu community in Quanzhou (China) who, in the late 13th century, built a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is now in ruins, but over 300 carvings are still within the city. Many are currently on display in the Quanzhou museum, and some have become a part of Buddhist temple—Kaiyuan Temple. Behind its main hall "Mahavira Hall”, there are some columns decorated by some Hindu carvings. The carvings are dispersed across five primary sites in Quanzhou and the neighbouring areas. They were made in the South Indian style, and share close similarities with 13th century temples constructed in the Kaveri Delta region in Tamil Nadu.

Extent of spread of Hinduism in South East Asia.

Kaiyuan Temple.

Mahavir Hall.

Date- 26th July 2012 Several Hindu gods and Goddesses have found their way into Far Eastern culture.

Garuda

Karura 迦楼羅

Yama->Yan (China)->Yemma (Japan) म 閻 閻魔

Brahma म

Bonten 梵天

Saraswati सरस्वती

Benzaiten 弁才天, 弁財天

There are countless deities adopted by the Far East via Buddhist Scriptures. But the East is not the only region that has Indian Mythological influence. The Western world, especially Greek and Roman Myths, have Indian connections e.g. In Roman, Greek and Indian myths the “King of the gods” have the same manifested powers – Indra (Indian), Zeus (Greek) and Jupiter (Roman) are Gods of Thunder, Lightening and Rain.

Some Mythological Parallels:  

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The Great Flood Myth: Common with Hebrew Bible, Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Hindu Myth, Christian Bible and Quran.

Many cultures have stories about divine figures whose death creates an essential part of reality. The Chinese myth of Pangu, the Vedic myth of Purusha, and the Norse myth of Ymir: all tell of a cosmic giant who is killed to create the world.

Many mythologies mention a place that sits at the centre of the world and acts as a point of contact between different levels of the universe. This "axis mundi" is often marked by a sacred tree, mountain peak or man-made objects like Towers (Etamnanki, the fabled tower of Babel) or other mythical object. For example, many myths describe a great tree or pillar joining heaven, earth, and the underworld. Vedic India, ancient China, and the ancient Germans all had myths featuring a "Cosmic Tree" whose branches reach heaven and whose roots reach hell.

High mountain peaks are usually the seat of Gods as in Greek (Mt. Olympus), India (Mt. Kailash and Meru) and Japanese (Mt. Fuji).

Many cultures have a creation myth in which a group of younger, more civilized gods conquer and/or struggle against a group of older gods who represent the forces of chaos. In the Greek myth of the Titanomachy, the Olympian gods defeat the Titans, an older and more primitive divine race, and establish cosmic order. In Hindu mythology, the devas (gods) battle the asuras (demons). And the Celtic gods of life and light struggle against the Fomorians, ancient gods of death and darkness.

Many cultures believe in a celestial Supreme Being who has cut off contact with humanity. In many myths, the Supreme Being withdraws into the heavens after the creation of the world. Baluba mythology features such a story, in which the supreme God withdraws from the earth, leaving man to search for him. Similarly, the mythology of the Hereros tells of a Sky God who has abandoned mankind to lesser divinities. Vedic Indian mythology speaks of a celestial supreme being: BRAHMAN that cannot be personified and are represented by the deities. In the mythologies of highly complex cultures, the Supreme Being tends to disappear completely, replaced by a strongly polytheistic belief system, as in Hinduism.

Date- 26th July 2012  India has the world’s largest Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Zoroastrian and Baha’i populations.  India has the 3rd largest Muslim population in the world; Largest population for any Non-Muslim country.  Islam is the 2nd most practiced religion in India.  Islam came to India with the Arab merchants and traders on the Western Malabar Coast in the 7th Century and in Northern India in the 12th Century.  The Mustali sect (Ismailite), which originated in Egypt and later moved its religious centre to Yemen, gained a foothold in India through missionaries of 11th Century. These people settled in Western India, where they were called “Bohras”, a reinterpretation of the Gujarati word “vahaurau” which means “To Trade”.

 Christianity is the third most practiced religion in India.  Christianity was introduce by Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD to spread the Gospel to the Jewish community residing in Kerala (South-West India).  Christianity was established in India long before it was established in Europe, making it one of the oldest Christian Communities in Asia, outside the Holy Land.

 Judaism is the first foreign religion to arrive in India in recorded history.  Some of the Jewish Communities arrived in India during the time of the Kingdom of Judah.  Some of the Jewish Communities are thought to be descendants of Israel’s mythical ”;: Lost Tribes”.  Unlike many other parts of the world, Jews have historically lived in India without any instances of anti-Semitism from the majority populace.  Of the total Jewish population in india, about half live in Manipur and Mizoram and a quarter live in the city of Mumbai.  Ohel David Synagogue in Pune is the largest synagogue in Asia outside Israel.  The Cochin Jews arrived in India 2,500 years ago and settled in Kerala as traders.  Bene Israel Jews arrived in Maharashtra 2,100 years ago.  Baghdadi Jews arrived in Mumbai from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and other Arab countries 250 years ago.  Bnei Menashe are tribes from Mizoram and Manipur in Eastern India who claim descent from the tribe of Manasseh.  Bene Ephraim (Telugu Jews) are a small Telugu speaking community whose observance dates to 1981.

 India is predominantly a Hindu nation.  Hinduism can be traced back to 5500 BC making it the oldest system of beliefs in practice.  Hinduism has no founder and is classified as a Philosophy, not a religion.  Hinduism formed when Aryan Invaders entered the Indus Valley and mixed with local beliefs.  Variations of Hindu Mythologies were adopted by various regions in Asia and modified to suit their realities.  “Panchtantra” (5 principles) is a collection of animal fables composed in the 3rd Century BC, to impart knowledge of morals and worldly conduct and is known, in the Western World as “Aesop’s Fables”, which contain many of the same stories as “Panchtantra”.  Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism are all derived from Hinduism.  Hinduism once extended from Afghanistan to Indonesia. The influence can still be seen today in terms of traditions, language and architecture.

Date- 26th July 2012

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“Demos” (People) + “Kratos” (Power) = Democracy (People Power) [Greek] Word coined in Athens (Greece) at around 400BC. Democratic government installed in 508-507 BC in Athens (Greece).

Democracy is the rule of Majority over minority.

Athens is generally regarded as the world’s first democracy.

Cleisthenes is referred to as “The father of Athenian Democracy”.

Repblic (from Latin: res publica) means “Public Matter”.

A Republic is similar to a democracy.  REPUBLIC DEMOCRACY  Power of government is limited and  Majority/Government has unlimited constrained by a Constitution. power over minority.  Rights of all people are safeguarded in  Safeguard of minority rights is not the constitution. present.  A republic may or may not be a  A democracy may or may not be a democracy republic.  E.g. India is a democracy and a  E.g. New Zealand, Australia and republic as it is bound by a written Canada are democratic constitutional constitution. monarchies but not republics.  E.g. Ukrainian SSR was a republic with a seat in the UN, but was ultimately controlled by the non-democratic Soviet Union.  Greek accounts indicate that ancient Indian kingdoms followed republican form of governments as early as 700 BC stretching from Indus Valley in the West to Gangaetic Plains in the East.  These kingdoms were called “Janapadas”. Through assimilations and diplomacy some of these kingdoms united to form a Confederacy. These big kingdoms were called “Mahajanapadas”.  The Vajji Confederacy Mahajanapada of Licchavi is one of the world’s first republics. Its capital is the ancient city of Vaishali (In Bihar province, Nothern India)  16 major Mahajanapadas are recorded to have grown across the plains. (see map on page 12).

Date- 26th July 2012

A famous literary work in the field of politics and economics is called ARTHSHASTRA (The Science of Wealth), written by Kautilya [350 – 283 BC] (also known as Chanakya and Vishnugupt) in around the 4th Century BC. A scholar at Takshila, political scientist, tactician, teacher and guardian of Chandragupta Maurya (founder of the Mauryan Empire) he is regarded by scholars as one of the greatest tactician and strategist in human history along with Sun Tzu (China, the author of THE ART OF WAR) and Niccolo Machiavelli (Italy, author of THE PRINCE).

Date- 26th July 2012

The treatise is revered for its dealing with political issues like:            

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When violence is justified.

When assassinating an enemy is useful.

When killing domestic opponents is wise.

How one uses secret agents.

When one needs to sacrifice one's own secret agent.

How the king can use women and children as spies and even assassins.

When a nation should violate a treaty and invade its neighbour.

In what cases must a king spy on his own people?

How should a king test his ministers, even his own family members, to see if they are worthy of trust.

When must a king kill a prince, his own son, who is heir to the throne?

How does one protect a king from poison?

What precautions must a king take against assassination by one's own wife?

When is it appropriate to arrest a troublemaker on suspicion alone?

When is torture justified?

Date- 26th July 2012

List of the 16 major republican kingdoms (mahajanapadas): 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Anga Kosala Kashi Magadha Videha Malla Chedi Vatsa (or Vamsa)

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Kuru Panchala Machcha (or Matsya) Surasena Assaka(or Asmaka) Avanti Gandhara Kamboja

Date- 26th July 2012

This detailed map shows the locations of Kingdoms mentioned in the Indian epics.

Date- 26th July 2012

Ancient Cities of India during the time of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Buddha. LEGEND: yellow: kingdoms; blue: rivers; green: forests; brown: mountains; red: places (cities, towns, villages, mountain peaks, etc.)

Date- 26th July 2012

India is home to some of the oldest fighting systems in the world known as “śastravidyā” or “dhanurvidya”. The former is a compound of the words śastra (weapon) and vidyā (knowledge), meaning "knowledge of the sword" or "knowledge of weaponry". The latter term derives from the words for bow (dhanushya) and knowledge (veda), literally the "science of archery". In Tamil, they are either known under the umbrella term kalarikalai ( ), meaning "art of the battleground", or tarkappukalai (

), meaning "art of self-defence".

Kalaripayattu ([kaɭəɾipːajətː ]) is an Indian martial art from the southern state of Kerala. One of the oldest fighting systems in existence, it is regarded as the mother of all Asian martial arts. The term kalaripayattu is formed from the words “kalari” (Malayalam: ) meaning “school or gymnasium” and “payattu” (Malayalam: ) derived from “payattuka” meaning to "fight/ exercise" or "to put hard work into".

In Tamil, kalari payattu is a compound of (field; may be, battle field) and

(study / learn, as in

- teaching / - he learnt). Its origins are obscure and have traditionally been attirbuted to Hindu Gods. Declined during colonial times, but has now seen a revival in recent popular culture such as Films (Jackie Chan’s THE MYTH) and Japanese manga “Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple.”

Varma Kalai (Tamil: ) is a martial art and esoteric healing art originating from ancient Tamil Nadu in South India. The name literally translate as "The Art of Vital Points". It is an element of the Tamil martial art Kuttu varisai (SILAMBAM).

Legend has it that Lord Siva taught this art form to his son Lord Murugan. Historically, Varma Kalai has been one of the arts taught to those of royal blood. However, even royalty were required to pass the stringent requirements for discipleship. The schools received nivandhanams (donation with high respect) from the Kings of Tamil Kingdom (Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava).

The art was taught only to selected individuals, but due to the strict requirements for new students it never gained large numbers of adherents. Due to its secretive nature, Varma Kalai remained largely unknown even in India until the release of the 1996 movie “HINDUSTANI” (Indian), in which Kamal Haasan played the role of a Varma Kalai expert. The film's popularity generated a resurgence of interest in the art.

Currently Varma Kalai is practised in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, usually as part of Kuttu varisai and Kalari training.

Silambam (Tamil: ) or silambattam (Tamil: ) is a weapon-based Dravidian martial art from Tamil Nadu in south India but also practised by the Tamil community of Sri Lanka and Malaysia (Where it is known as the Stick martial art of SILAT). In Tamil, the word silambam refers to the bamboo staff which is the main weapon used in this style. Unarmed silambam, called kuttu varisai, utilizes stances and routines based on animal movements such as the snake, tiger, elephant and eagle forms. nd Silambam was known to the Romans, Greeks and Egyptians as early as 2 Century AD through their trades with the historical port of Madurai. The bamboo staff was a very popular weapon with the visitors and was in great demand.

It was banned in Colonial times and survived in secrecy, while it grew in the Tamil community in Malaysia and became known as SILAT.

Date- 26th July 2012 There are and have been many dozens of martial arts that have been developed in India since Vedic times such as: North India:  Gatka is a weapon-based style adapted from shastar vidya by the Sikhs of the Panjab.  Mardani khel is an armed method created by the Marathas of Maharashtra.  Musti yuddha is a style of kickboxing, popular in the Middle Ages but now confined to Varanasi.  Pari-khanda is a style of sword and shield fighting from Bihar.  Thang-ta or huyen lalong is an armed system created by the Meitei of Manipur.

South India:  Kalaripayat has its roots in the combat training halls (payattu kalari) of Tamilakam's traditional educational system.  Kathi samu is a primarily sword-based art originating with the kshatriya caste of Andhra Pradesh.  Paika akhada is an armed system formerly practiced by the warriors of Orissa.  Silambam is a weapon-based style from Tamil Nadu which focuses on the bamboo staff.

Wrestling Vajra Mushti (Sanskrit vajramuṣṭi

)

The Agni Purana: The earliest extant manual of dhanurveda (archery) (dated to between the 8th and the 11th century), It divides the art into weapons that are thrown or unthrown. The thrown (mukta) class includes twelve weapons altogether which come under four categories, viz.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Yantra-mukta: Projectile weapons such as the sling or the bow Pāṇi-mukta: Weapons thrown by hand such as the javelin Mukta-sandharita: Weapons that are thrown and drawn back, such as the rope-spear Mantra-mukta: Mythical weapons that are thrown by magic incantations (mantra), numbering 6 types

These were opposed to the much larger unthrown class of three categories.

1. Hasta-śastra or Amukta: Melee weapons that do not leave the hand, numbering twenty types 2. Muktāmukta: weapons that can be thrown or used in-close, numbering 98 varieties 3. Bāhu-Yuddha: nine weapons of the body (hands, feet, knees, elbows and head), i.e. unarmed fighting