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History of Jangid Brahmin Samaj
Our ancient history starts from Brahma. According to Vedas, Shastras and Purans, he was the first human from whom all human force was extended. His second name was Aapav Prajapti. His mouth was the first source of Vedvani. Psyche Son (Manas Putra) of Brahma Brahma was the first man of non-copulation world. His grandson Swayanbhuv Manu enforced the tradition of Manu’s. Beside these, there were seven psyche sons of Brahma, which were called Saptarishi later on. The names of these Saptarishi were Marichi, Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Pulah, Kratu and Vashishtha. All of them were expert in Vedas. These extended the kingdom by exploring Vedas. Present Hindus are descendant of these Saptarishi’s, hence these are also called Sapta Brahmas. To keep memorizing these Rishis, they have been put as stars near the star “Dhruv” and stars named on them. Swayanbhuv Manu He was the grandson of Brahma. He was the first originator of Manvantar and is also called Vairaj Prajapati. There were five more Manus in his dynasty. There was world fame water holocaust at the end of sixth Manu (Chakshush Manu) . Dynasty of Swayanbhuv Manu Majority of Purans says that Swayanbhuv Manu was married with Shatrupa and became father of two sons, Priyavrat & Uttanpad and two daughters, Akuti & Prasuti. Priyavrat was charioteer of whole earth. He was father of seven sons. He distributed seven continents of world to these. Oldest son Agnighra was given Jambudweep (Now Asia) empire. Other six were divided into rest 6 sons. Agnighra distributed his own empire into his sons. He gave Himvarsh state to Nabhi, Rishabhdev was son of Nabhi. Bharat was son of Rishabhdev, on whose name Himvarsh was renamed as Bharatvarsh. The second son Uttanpad was married with Suniti & Suruchi. From Suniti there was son named as Dhurv and son from Suruchi was named as Uttam. When discards by step mother, Dhruv did hard austerity and got the post of Atal. North star “Dhruv” was named after him. Uttam was killed by Yakshas. His son Auttam Manu was called third Manu. The daughter of Swayanbhuv Manu “Akuti” was married with Ruchi Prajapati. From Akuti son Yagya and daughter Dakshina was born. Second daughter of Swayanbhuv Manu “Prasuti” was married with Daksh Prajapati. Prasuti gave birth to eight daughters. These were married with psyche sons of Brahma. Sambhuti with Marichi, Khyati with Bhrigu, Preeti with Pulastya, Smariti with Angira, Kshama with Pulah, Sannati with Kratu, rest two were married with Atri and Vashishtha. Brahmrishi Angira Brahmrishi Angira was one of psyche son of Brahma and hold most important role among others. By hard austerity done by Brahma, his body juice deteriorated. Due to this deterioration of body juice, he was called Angiras. When Brahma made second holocaust, then ember collected together and build human elements. Those elements reconstructed and formed bright mass called Angira. Brahma begged him from Agni Dev, from then Angira and his descendent were called Angiras or Agneya. Atharva Ved was flashed in the heart of Brahmrishi Angira and hence he became the leader in Vedacharyas. These are four Vedas. Rigya Ved is Knowledge (Gyan) literature, Yajurved describes about Yagya, Sam Ved for Worship & Prayer and Atharva Dev is based on Science technology. Knowledge, works, worship and science is proposition of Vedas. Science is target of knowledge, works and worship. Hence, Atharva Ved has more importance than other Vedas. Discovery of fire Angira discovered the fire first of all. At that time, there was only one source of light, “Sun”, hence in such a time the discovery of fire, was a great finding on earth. This was the first victory of human on nature. Extension of Angira dynasty Brahmrishi Angira was married with Daksh Daughter Smriti. From Smriti, there were two sons namely Bharatagni & Kirtiman and four daughters Siniwali, Kuhu, Raka and Anumati. Bharatagni was married with Sanhati daughter of Rishi Pulastya. They gave birth to a child Hiranyaroma Parjanya. Parjanya was married with grand-daughter of Rishi Marichi. In some articles there is described that there were three sons of Bharatagni, which were named as Pavak, Pavman & Suchi. From second son Kirtiman, there were two sons named as Varishtha and Ghatiman. Later on, there were thousands of sons and grandson of these, which were known as Angiras. Bharatagni : The first poet Initially, all the Vedas were in prose. Bharatagni was first poet to Vedas. He did work on Vedas to convert these into metrical form. For the same reason, Bharatagni’s mantras were given first place in Rigya Ved. According to Rigya Ved 9.66.20, Agni is sage as well as priest also. He was leader of all sages. Jangal Estate Hermitages of Brahmrishi Angira and his dynasty Angiras were in the northern side of Saraswati river. Some of these were also on southern side of river. The estate through which Saraswati was flowing , was called Jangal Desh. The estate was expanded from Yamuna to Sutlej and in west till Bikaner. Jangal Estate was famous till Mahabharat period. Kamyak forest where Pandavas passed their exile period, was with in the limit of Jangal Estate. Kurukshetra, which was on the bank of Saraswati river was its central point. Hence, Jangal Estate was also named as Kurujangal. In this Jangal estate, Angira did hard austerity, so he was called Jangid. Brahmrishi Jangid : The world conqueror In the series of descendent of Swayanbhuv Manu, Chakshun was married with Veeran Prajapti daughter Pushkarini and who gave birth to a child named Chaakshun who later on was called Chaakshush Manu, the sixth Manvantar originator. His wife was Nadwala Angiras. Her sons were called Daksh. The name were Uru (Ulmuk), Puru, Shatdhyuman, Satyawak, Kavi, Angishtut, Atiratra, Sudhyuman, and Abhimanyu. Oldest son Uru was married with Agneyi and gave birth to six sons- Ang, Sumana, Khyati, Kratu, Angira and Gay. Ang was strongest Prajapati. In his tenth dynasty, Daksh Prajapati was born. The son of Ulmuk, Angira and brother Abhimanyu both were very glorious. They decided to conquer the earth apart from Bharat. Abhimanyu conquered Iran and established Manyupuri, which was sunk in flood, which was re-established as Shusha Nagari. Archaeologists have been declared it as an oldest city. Angira conquered Shak island, Cronch island and Kush island (Africa), Europe and Africa continents and civilized these. Angara of Turky, Ankara of Russia, Ghana of Africa and Angola are still live example of these victories. Angira after world victory gained the post of Rajrajeshwar Indra. Thus, glorious world winner Angira rishi was famous with Jangid Rishi. Later on, Jangid Rishi descendent were called Jangid Brahmin. Atharva Ved also proves that Angira was Jangid and he guarded all men and animals on earth. Maharishi Angira Maharishi Angira was born in dynasty of Angira (Jangid). He was master / teacher of Varun (Brahma), Lord Shiva and many sages for Vedas. He was also called as Varuni Angira. He was married with two daughters of Prachetas Daksh Prajapati, Sati and Swadha. From Sati Maharishi Atharva and from Swadha Pitragan was born. Brahmrishi Angira was psyche son of Brahma and was discoverer of fire (Agni). Magic Visionary (Mantra Drishta) In ancient history, when there was a luminous of Vedas in heart of four sages, then many eligible persons found these as direct proof using memorizing the magic. These sages were called magic visionary (Mantra Drishta) sages. Maharishi Angira was magic visionary of many mantras of Atharva Ved. These sages expanded the strength of fire, which was discovered by Angira. The Great Archer Maharishi Angira was the great archer as his ancestor. While Lord Shiva was in war with Tripur monsters, Maharishi Angira was left wheel guard and his son was right wheel guard and Brahma was charioteer. Cow Safe-guard Maharishi Angira’s work field was very large. It was from Iran, Kandhar, to Afghanistan, Baluchistan and Sapta Sindhu (Pakistan) and Kuru Jangal estate. Near the beaches of Sindhu, there were many ashrams of Maharishi Angira. He constructed many sheds for thousands of cows and horses. These were also called Ashwastha. He was the first man to start such work of cow and horse culture. When there was war between Aryas and demons, these horses were used. Aryas have horses and demons have oxen. Looking towards horses demons left the war many times. Founder of Jan Parishad The first election process of Jan Parishad in Aryas was done by Maharishi Angira. Jan Parishad was called government body. Leader in demons was called king and Jan Parishad in Aryas. Maharishi Angira was great priest or Pandit of Aryan culture. He looked after and controlled all Janpads at that time. He was care taker of Arya blood and enforced to have clear blood. Besides having minute eagle eye, the impact of demons was spreading over Aryas. Varun and Sauveer told about this to Maharishi Angira. With the advice of Sauveer, Angira banned the election of Indra. Establishment of Taxshila Maharishi Angira established Taxshila University at Upatyaka of Sindh for expansion of Aryan culture and civilization and training of forth coming generation. He leaded the university for 30 years. Later on, Maharishi Atharva was elected vice chancellor of that university. He also started medical science department for providing medical facility and long life to persons. All the students from many regions of world used to came there to get qualitative education. Research on Agriculture land With the help of students Maharishi Angira constructed a plan for grain production after removing forest area from Vitsta (Jhelam) , Drishtwati (Ghagghar) and Saraswati river sides. This was double advantages of foresight of Maharishi Angira. Far area of forest was utilized and became fertile, hence university became self-dependent in grain production, and there was no financial burden on students, students got training of agricultural science. Horses of Maharishi Angira have become famous till now all over the world. Near Kandhar there were hills of salt. In Sanskrit, salt is called Saindhav. Sheds of horses were near these hills, hence horses of Angira were also renowned as Saindhav. For the same reason, horse and salt both are called Saindhav in Sanskrit language. Maharishi Atharvangiras (Atharva) Maharishi Atharva was son of Brahmrishi Angira and Daksh daughter Sati. Maharishi Atharva was also a magic visionary sage of Atharva Ved. In absence of his father, Atharva used to taught Vedas to Brahma and other gods. So, he also became famous with the name Angira. According to Vayu Puran, there were three wives of Maharishi Atharva, Kashyap sister Swaroopa (Shubha), Kardam daughter Swarat & Manu daughter Pathya. He had son Brahaspati (from Swaroopa), Utathaya & Gautam (from Swarat), Dhishnu Sanwart (from Pathya). Bhishag was also one of the son of Maharishi Atharva. Bhishag was also magic visionary sage. In Atharva Ved, a number of mantras of Maharishi Atharva can be found. He was renowned all over the world that Atharva Ved was also become popular by his name. Maharishi Atharva did the coronation of Indra after out casting. Devraj Indra did the worship of Atharva and gave boon of being famous with the name Atharvangiras. When Atharva was becoming popular, Agni was afraid of his glory and met with him. Agni told Atharva that he is now losing his power, all the people will assume that you are Agni (fire), and I am becoming demoralized. Then Atharva gave him assurance that you will do your work and adopt me as your first child. Agni Dev was very much pleased with him and adopted him his first child. After long time, Atharva became father of a child “Brahaspati”. Maharishi Atharva discovered the fire from water. Fire produced from water is an electricity. Thus Maharishi Atharva was inventor of electric fire. Brahaspati : Deity Teacher Brahaspati was the son of Maharishi Atharva and Shubha. He became the teacher of all deities. His oldest son was Shanyu Agni. Bhardwaj was the son of Shanyu Agni. Brahaspati was also magic visionary sage. Brahaspati was first sage of starting Vajpey yagya. Vajpey yagya was used to obtain weapon with magic chariot (Divya Rath). There was a competition that anyone who will first touch the branch of Audumbar tree, will become president of deities. Brahaspati was first winner of race. So, he became the Dev Guru and obtained the power of Vajpey yagya. Indra requested with Brahaspati to become a host of Vajpey Yagya. Brahaspati accepted his request and result was that Indra became King of Deities (Dev Raj). Vajpey Yagya is also called as Brahaspatisav. Brahaspati was master of craft. He constructed Trisandhi Vajra. He also built many aero planes. He was commandant of army. In deities –demons war, he was the organizer of war. He was father of army array strategy. He built Croncharun circle / array in deities –demons war. Brahaspati gave education of Agneyashtra to his grandson Bhardwaj. Guru Brahaspati wrote a policy iconography (Neeti Shastra) of one lac sloks. On behalf of it, Ushana had written a small size policy iconography. Brahaspati sent his son Kach for learning the process of Sanjivani lore to demon master Shukracharya. There were a number of son and grandson of Brahaspati. Virat Vishwakarma In Angira family there was Aadi Shilpacharya Vishwakarma. There are many meanings of Vishwakarma in Sanskrit , one is used for the power who constructed the universe, second is used for son of Bhuvan, Vishwakarma and third is used for post. The word “Vishwakarma” was first used in Vishwakarma Sukta of Rigya Ved. The 14 mantras of Sukta 81 & 82 of tenth mandal of Rigya Ved’s is called Vishwakarma Sukta. According to this, Vishwakarma was one to create this universe. According to Shwetashvatropnishad; Vishwakarma always lives in the heart of each person, who one knows this secret become immortal. According to Nirukt written by Yask sage, Vishwakarma is the creator of all materials of available in universe. He described Vishwakarma with thousands of heads, arms, eyes and legs and told that he is long life & shapeless, means have huge size. According to Mool Stambh Puran, Vishwakarma is god who has no start and no end. But no relationship has been found between Shilp Vishwakarma and above said Vishwakarma in history. Only a relation is found that magic visionary Bhuvan Vishwakarma had known the secrets of universe creator Vishwakarma and enforced the operation of the craft science accordingly. Aadi Shilpacharya Bhuvan (Bhovan) Vishwakarma Maharishi Angira was the father of Aptya Rishi. He was father of four sons, Ekat, Dwit, Trit, Bhuvan. All of them were Vedrishi. Vishwakarma was the son of Bhuvan. There is proof of this in Sukta 81 & 82 of tenth mandal of Rigya Ved and mantras from 17 to 32 of chapter no.17 of Yajurved. According to Shatpat Brahmin and Nirukt, Vishwakarma who was son of Bhuvan had hosted “Sarvmegh Yagya” of Brahma. According to Mahabharat, the flag of Arjun was designed by Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma. In Vedas and Brahmin literature, only Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma is mentioned and no other Vishwakarma. Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma Magic visionary (Mantra Drashtha) was the ability of Vishwakarma descent. Brahmrishi Angira, Dwit, Trit etc. were magic visionary. Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma was the person who did direct interaction of craft science and made it possible for utilization. He started craft work initially, so he was called career of craft (Shilp Pravartak). Artha Ved was written by Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma, which is sub set of Atharva Ved. He did the work of describing the Atharva Ved in detail and put into behaviour, so he was also called Aadi Shilpacharya. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati had also commited the proof of this. Highlighting of craft science was done by Artha Ved (Shilp Shastra). Purans are also proof of this. According to Varah Puran, all that is being seen in universe is made by Vishwakarma. Vishwakarma was first inventor of culture. All delicious foods, houses, wearing cloths, speedy vehicles, and many other which facilitate our life easier was crafted by Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma. He established the system of building states. He became a king of empire. He also hosted Sarvmegh Yagya. After becoming a king, he arranged all the facilities to public. He designed arms, aero planes which can propagate through air, water and surface. He conquered all the earth. Later on, he decided to quit the empire and elected Kashyap as king and handed over empire to him. According to Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma, there were to things to improve, talent and soul, which could be developed only by knowledge of Vedas. He believed that as long as these two will develop, human will definitely grow with high skill. So, he quit the empire. Guarding of Nectar Pitcher (Amrit Ghat Raksha) When there was whirling of sea by deities and demons, there were 14 precious elements drawn from sea. In that one of them was nectar pitcher (Amrit Kalash). Both the parties fought for that. Vishwakarma provided many special weapons to deities and they won over demons. One day, Garud attacked on Indra for taking that nectar pitcher. Indra requested Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma to protect that kalash. Vishwakarma built a sun like brightened disc (Chakra) which rotated at a very high speed round the kalash, so that Garud could not enter inside that rotational boundary. Estate/ City construction Vishwakarma was pioneer the field of art, science and craft. He designed wonderful huge pavilion (Mandap) and Yagya altar (Vedi) for Parvati marriage. No one could easily distinguish the water and surface. All the idols were looking beautiful like living bodies. He designed a number of cities (Puri/ Lok) for deities; Alkapuri for Kuber, Shiv Lok, Brahm Lok, Shri Pur, Amrawati, Dwarkapuri, Lankapuri, Garud Bhawan, etc. Design of armaments Vishwakarma designed a number of armaments (Ashtra and Shastra). He designed Kandia for Brahma, Chakra for Vishnu, Trishul for Shiva, Vajra for Indra, Parshu for Agni, Dand for Dharmraj. Design of instruments Telescope : There is detailed information regarding designing of telescope in Shilp Sanhita. There is detailed process of making Toy Mantra, Ghati Mantra, Swayamvah yantra, barometer and many other instruments etc. in this book. Aero Plane : According to Rigya Ved, there were many flying object designed by Vishwakarma in that period. That planes were capable of staying in air, running over water. Garud which is called vehicle of Vishnu, was not a bird but it was a special plane of vulture shape. Pushpak was also designed by Vishwakarma for Brahma which was later on passed to Ravan. Kamang was plane which could run in air, water and hills also. According to Brahmvaivart puran, there was a plane like Rath named as Shatkumbh, which was designed by 100 circles (Chakra). May designed Vehayas named plane which could take off with warfare and could be disappeared. Somewhere in Rigya Ved, there is introduction of submarine, space shuttle etc. The planes were takeoff with the help of electricity, fire, water, air, vapour, oil of panchshikhi, sunlight, magnet, Maniwah etc. Micro instrument was called Mani. All the science was micro system based. Maniwah power was transmitted by both Suryakant and Chandrakant Mani. Marutskha power was combination of all the powers of sky. Vishwakarma did the collection of all the craft and science into books and literatures called Shastra. Shilp Vigyan was divided into 4 divisions and these divisions into 10 shastras/ departments. From production point of view Agriculture, Water and Minerals are 3 departments. From accommodation point of view Vastu, Prakar, and City design are 3 departments. From transportation point of view Rath, Nauka & Plane are 3 departments. For rest instruments there is a mechanical department. Thus all 10 departments has its own literatures. Exploitation less economy Vishwakarma made provision of economic structure in which present three types of economies are suitable. Carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, architects, etc. were not a slave of any others. He was self-employed and part of society. In present scenario, he was own master and own slave. The system always lacked with wording of employer & appointment. The system was very much systematic and people were happy that time. No exploitation in society. There are three basic elements. First is manufacturer (that is labour), second is machine (from which construction is done), last is owner (who invests on machinery). Vishwakarma established these three elements into each and every person from standardized economic point of view. Means that a person is self-manufacturer of his machine, he is owner of machines, and he himself works with these machines. This type of economy cannot be centralized. Hence, fear of exploitation is drawn out. Initially, Vishwakarma did not know the process of building the objects. But, he went to Kashi by the order of his guru and started hard austerity for self-realization of Shilp knowledge. It did not meant that they started Tapsya in forest. But here is the way to tell that he started his hard work to get success in building such instruments. Finally, he got success. Lord Shiva blessed him with all mighty of Shilp and named him “Vishwakarma”. Patriotic Once Guru Brahaspati was regretted by the behavior of Indra, so he quitted and disappeared. In absence of Brahaspati, Indra appointed Vishwaroop (son of Brahaspati) as Devguru. Deities wined many wars with the support of Vishwaroop. Later on, he became more famous and Indra could not see this. One day, Indra killed Vishwaroop in anger and suspense. Indra then hid himself under the water, due to fear from Vishwakarma. Vishwakarma started Yagya for taking revenge from Indra. But, when Vishwakarma thought the result of purpose of yagya, as the king gets died, the country also become weaker, so he took the step back. This shows the country loving spirit of Vishwakarma. He continued his yagya, but the sense was changed by speaking mantras. Vritrasur was a demon who had power of almighty. The end of game of Vritrasur was only possible with the Vajra, which could only be built with the bone of Rishi Dadhichi. Only Vishwakarma was able to build such a weapon from bones of Rishi Dadhichi. Indra requested Vishwakarma to make Vajra. Vishwakarma decided to help Indra by forgetting the death of son. This was unreliable patriotic example of Vishwakarma. Fading the Sun brightness Vishwakarma married his daughter Sangya with Sun. There were three children from Sangya to Sun. She was not able to bear the brightness of Sun, so she came back to his father. Vishwakarma tried to understand her problem and send her back to Sun. But, Sangya did not go back to Sun and went to Kuru Pradesh. Sun knew the fact and went to Vishwakarma. Vishwakarma agreed to dim the brightness of sun with the help of Karad and knife. The material removed from surface of sun was used to build the Chakra, Trishul, Dand, Shakti etc. Magh Shukla Trayodashi is birth day of Vishwakarma. This is mentioned even in Vridha Vashishth Puran, where Lord Shiva had told Parvati that he will born in the month of Magh and Shukla Paksh dated 13 in Punrvasu Nakshat’s 28th part as Vishwakarma. Ancient history tells that there were four Vishwakarmas. First was Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma, second was Vasuputra Vishwakarma, third was Bhraguvanshi Vishwakarma, and forth one was Sundhawa Vishwakarma. If we see from history with period, then Bhuvanputra Vishwakarma was the first one to borne. Vasuputra Vishwakarma In the dynasty of Brahma, there was a sage named as Dharma. Prajapati Daksh married his 10 daughters with Dharma Rishi. Dharma Rishi got 8 Vasu from wife Vasu. Last Vasu was Prabhas. Prabhas was married with Varastri, the sister of Brahaspati. Mahabhag Vishwakarma was his son. He was author of thousands of Shilp. Bhraguvanshi Vishwakarma According to Vayu Puran Chapter 4, Shlok 75 to 77, Shukracharya had 4 sons from Angee which were Varuni, Twashtadhar, Shand, Armak etc. Twashtadhar (Twashta) was father of Vishwakarma and Vishwaroop. Sudhanwa Vishwakarma Maharishi Atharva and his third wife Pathya gave birth to 2 sons, Dhishnu and Sanvart. Sudhanwa was son of Dhishnu. There were three sons of Sudhanwa, Ribhu, Bimba, Baaj. Sudhanwa was one of best Shilp scientist. He was also well known with planes, armament, etc. Saints of Samaj Paramhans 108 Shri Mahatma Shobharam ji Swami Ramsukh Das ji Swami Kalyan Dev ji 1008 Shri Paramhans Rambaksh ji 1008 Shri Govind ram ji Shri 108 Gokulanand ji Saint Shri Dhiraj Ram ji Swami Chetnanand ji Swami Goutamanand ji Saint Shri Jagaram ji Swami AlguRam ji Saint Shri Gamdiram ji Swami Saddaram ji Mahant Shri Bastiram ji Mahatma Kanhiram ji Swami Mukund Das ji Swami Ramanand ji Swami Moti Ram ji Swami Ritmanand Angira ji Swami Bhawanand ji Swami Nityanand ji Brahmarishi Geetanand Saraswati ji Swami Khusiyanand ji Swami Suk Dev ji Swami Nishkulanand ji Swami Onkaranad ji Swami Poornanath ji Acharya Dev vrit ji Swami Sudhir Das Maharaj Swami Vishwaroopacharya Swami Prithvidharacharya Saint Mumukshuram ji Mahatma Heeranand ji Shri Krishnanand ji Saint Kashipuri Maharaj Swami Bhishm Saint Dula Ram Kulriya Brahmanand Saraswati Shri Bullaram ji Vaidya Swami Lal Baba Shastri Alakh Bai Swami Shukradev Shambhu Nath Shri Arjun Singh ji Shri Gopal Dixit ji Pandit ShriRam Sharma ji Shri Prahlad Sharma ji Vishwakarma Vishwakarma is the mainly used in India for a caste of who has profession related to worship (priest), engineer (construction), architects (design), sculptors (handicraft), temple builders and artists. The caste is mainly divided into five sub-castes; carpenters,blacksmiths, coppersmiths, goldsmiths and sculptors. According to purans, literature and belief, Vishwakarma brahmins are descended from five sons of lord Vishwakarma. They were as follows: 1.Manu 2.Maya 3.Twashtha 4.Shilpi 5.Daivagya Rathkar is used many times in ancient religious books. This name is synonym to Shilpi Brahmin. Handicraft, carpenter, goldsmith, blacksmith etc. works refers to expert Shilpi Brahmins. Rathkar word has been used widely in Skand Puran Nagar Part Chapter 6. According to this, the five sons of Lord Vishwakarma were called Rathkar. Vyakaran Shastra has also shows that Rathkar is Brahmin caste. “Ratham Karoti Iti Rathkaram” means builder of horse cart (Rath) is Rathkar (Vishwakarma Brahmin). The then kings also gave due respect to Vishwakarma Rathkar. Lohar Lohars are also known as Vishwakarma, Sharma, Lohana or Panchals. According to H. A. Rose and Denzil Ibbetson, who were administrators of the British Raj, Lohars have descended from Tarkhan tribals (Iranian warriors) who migrated to India. The term Lohar is a synonym for blacksmith. The Lohar dynasty ruled Kashmir for several centuries. They experienced much internal dissent, violence, attacks from the Mughuls, extremes of taxation and corruption. This Dynasty was able to defend the Loha-Kot fort and thus the empire for several centuries. Lohar is also the name of a city in the Punjab region of Pakistan which was named after the this dynasty. The city Lohar Chak was also named after the Lohar Dynasty in Kashmir. The Lohar are one of the most widespread communities in Uttar Pradesh. The Hindu Lohars are known as Vishvakarmas, and Muslim Lohars are known as Saifis. Most of Lohars are still engaged in their traditional occupation of metal fabrication, but the Lohar of western Uttar Pradesh are cultivators. Some of Gotras /surnames used are as following:
In ancient books Vishwakarma Brahmins were also called Panchal. Generally, Rathkar and Panchal words were used to refer Vishwakarma Brahmin. Work of Yagya and Worship was done by Shilp Worker those were son of Vishwakarma Brahmins. Though the Panchals, held great importance in past, some Brahmins refused to accept Panchals as being Brahmins. This refusal led to a feud between the two groups. During Peshwa Brahminical rule, the Panchals suffered much. The Panchals were not even allowed to tie the dhoti, a mark of Brahminical rank. The Peshwas belonged to the Chitpavan Brahmin caste and were actually late migrants to India, having arrived from the Middle East and Central Asia. The Peshwas competed with Panchals, who saw themselves as being the original Brahmins and first builders of the Aryan Vedic civilization. Nelson Hindu Law, (Page 139-140) states - "The refusal of many castes in ancient times to accept the Brahmins as their pastors and masters would seem to have bred a hereditary feud between castes. The origin and history of the feud at present are wholly unknown but it seem to me to be not improbable that the feud sprang from rivalries and contentions between the supporters and adherents of Brahmins on one hand and those of the goldsmiths and other artificers on the other hand. In south of India the goldsmith’s appear to have strenuously resisted the aggressive supremacy of Brahmans and have, for ages, claimed for themselves the right to be priests and spiritual guides styling themselves as Acharyas (religious teacher) by wearing the sacred thread. Meharban, a British collector, in his book ‘Bombay Gazetteer’ states in Solapur Vol XX page 125: "Panchals are composed of five classes: goldsmiths, bronze smiths, blacksmiths, carpenters and masons. They consider themselves equals, if not superior, to the local Brahmins. Their family priests, who are members of their own community, are held in high respect. They gird their boys with the sacred thread at the age of seven to nine years. A feast called the Brahmins' feast or Brahma Bhojan is held where kith and kin and members of the caste are invited." Dr. Krishna Rao says, "The most highly organized & efficient of the industrial classes was Vir Panchal comprising Goldsmiths, coiner blacksmiths, carpenters and masons. In the finest period of Indian art, particularly between 8th and 9th century, they claimed and enjoyed a social status in the community, equal to Brahmans. The art of engraving & sculpture had attained a high stage of development. It was exclusively cultivated by Panchals who wore sacred thread & considered themselves as Vishwakarma Brahmans. The craftsman being deeply versed in national epic literature always figured in the history of India as missionaries of civilization, culture & religion. The intellectual influence being creative & not merely assimilative was at least as great as that of the priest and the author". Panchal are known as the missionaries of civilization, culture & religion because they spread the Hindu religion to the whole world through their art. Ernest B. Havell says, “The northern quarter of Patliputra was assigned to Brahmans & certain of the higher craftsman such as the armorers, ironsmiths & workers in precious stones. The association of skilled craftsmen with the Brahman and the Kshatriya castes is additional evidence that craftsmanship did not hold an inferior status in Indo Aryan society". Panchals catered to the needs of chariots, horse carriages, furniture, home construction and agricultural equipment. They have witnessed the transition from animal driven water lifting wheel to use of diesel engines and electrical water pumps being used now for irrigation. Suthar The meaning of word Suthar in Sanskrit is Sootradhar. According to the Brahma Purana, they are offspring of Vishwakarma. The main occupation of Suthar was wood carpentry. Sootra means formula or mantra, slokas etc. and hence Sootradhar is one that use formula. In past, Sootradhars used to work with sutra for every part of the building. One saying is that, once lord Vishwakarma went to see the work of his pupil on the site, pupil did mistake, he forgot to place the doors & window in nervousness. He placed opening with hand. After seeing this Vishwakarma cursed(shraap) him that "from now on, you will work with hand(manual) only". Ramgarhia Jassa Singh was born in Guga village, near to Amritsar, who was the founder of the Ramgarhia Misl. He was a carpenter.He built a fort that was called Ramgarh.Si, his surname was named Ramgarhia. He was the grandson of Hardas Singh Bhambra, who was initiated into the Khalsa faith by Guru Gobind Singh, from whose hands he took Amrit/pahul (the Sikh Baptismal oath) and whom he served in battle.When Gobind Singh was died, he joined the forces of Banda Bahadur.He took part in almost every religious battle under his flag against the Mughal Empire. He died in a skirmish/fight in 1716 AD. After his death, his son, Bhagwan Singh with 200 followers entered the Imperial Mughal forces under the Governor of Lahore. He became a distinguished officer. He died fighting for his master in 1739 at Lahore, when Nadir Shah invaded India and the Governor resisted him ineffectually. He had five sons, of whom the eldest, Jassa Singh, now became the head of the family. He was appointed asRisaldar by the Governor of Lahore. He was given the following villages: Jagir Valla, Verka, Sultanwind, Tung and Chabba, (which are now the part of Amritsar district). On the death of the Governor of Lahore in 1746, Jassa Singh, together with his followers, joined his Sikh brother at Amritsar. For more detail you can see landmark section in this website. Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya AdiShankaracharya (Adi means Start/ First), meaning “the first Shankara” in his ancestry, reverentially called BhagavatpadaAcharya (Bhagavat- Lord, Pada- Feet, Acharya– Teacher, means the teacher at the feet of Lord) was the most famous Advaita philosopher, who had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism through his non-dualistic (Adwaitwad) philosophy. He encouraged the greatness and importance of the important Hindu scriptures, the Vedas (Upanishads, also known as Vedanta), spoke to a spirituality founded on reason and without dogma or ritualism, and gave new life to Hinduism at a time when Buddhism and Jainism were gaining popularity. Of the major ShankaraMathams active today, the Kanchi, Dwaraka, and Puri ascribe the dates 508–476 B.C.E. to Shankara. The Sringeri Peetham, on the other hand, accepts the 788–820 C.E. dates. Shankara was born in a small village Kalaty (Kalady), in Kerala (India), to Shivaguru and Subhadra. Shankara’s parents had no child for a long time, and prayed for Lord Shiva at Vadakkumnathan temple in Thrissur, Kerala. Lord Shiva was pleased with worship and offered them an extraordinary son who would not live long. The son was named Shankara. Shivaguru died while Shankara was 3 years old. The child became the master of the four Vedas by the age of four. At the age of five, Shankara was bathing in the river, when a crocodile caught him. He asked for his mother’s permission to adopt sannyasa (the ascetic life), and when his mother agreed, the crocodile released him. At the age of eight, Shankara then left Kerala and travelled thoroughout India and promised his mother to be present with her at the time of her death. At the banks of Narmada, he met Govind Bhagavatpada, the disciple of the AdvaitinGaudapada. As his disciple, Shankara was initiated. Shankara travelled extensively, while writing commentaries on the Upanishads, Vishnu sahasranama, and the Bhagavad Gita. He engaged in a series of debates with Buddhist scholars, and with scholars of the Purva Mimamsa school, which helped in cementing his spiritual ascendancy. On his way to the Vishwanath temple in Kashi, he came upon a Chandaal (untouchable). When asked to move aside by Shankara’s disciples, Chandaal asked: “Do you wish that I move my soul, the atman and everlasting, or this body made of clay?” Seeing Chandaal as none other than the Lord Shiva, Shankara prostrated before lord, composing five shlokas (ManishaPanchakam). Shankara is believed to have attained the Sarvajnapitha in Kashmir. After a while, he withdrew to Kedarnath and attained samadhi at the age of thirty-two. The Kamakshi Amman temple at Kanchipuram also has a vrindavanam where he is believed to have attained siddhi. At the time of Shankara’s life, Hinduism had lost some of its appeal because of the influence of Buddhism and Jainism. Shankara stressed the importance of the Vedas, and his work helped Hinduism regain strength and popularity. He had travelled on foot to various parts of India to restore the study of the Vedas. Shankara’s theology maintains that spiritual ignorance (avidya) is caused by seeing the self (atman) where self is not. Discrimination needs to be developed in order to distinguish true from false and knowledge (jnana) from ignorance (avidya). Shankara proposed that, while the phenomenal universe, our consciousness and bodily being, are certainly experienced, they are not true reality. He considered that the ultimate truth was Brahma, which is beyond time, space, and causation. Brahma is immanent and transcendent, but not merely a pantheistic concept. Indeed, while Brahma is the efficient and material cause for the cosmos, Brahma itself is not limited by its self-projection, and transcends all binary opposites or dualities, especially such individuated aspects as form and being, since it is incomprehensible by the human mind. We must pierce through a hazy perspectival lens to understand our true being and nature, which is not perennial change and mortality, but unmitigated bliss for eternity. If we are to understand the true motive force behind our actions and thoughts, we must become aware of the fundamental unity of being. How, he asks, can a limited mind comprehend the limitless Self? It cannot, he argues, and therefore we must transcend even the mind and become one with Soul-consciousness. Shankara denounced caste and meaningless ritual as foolish, and in his own charismatic manner exhorted the true devotee to meditate on god’s love and to apprehend truth. His treatises on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Vedanta Sutras are testaments to a keen and intuitive mind that did not want to admit dogma but advocated reason. His greatest lesson was that reason and abstract philosophising alone would not lead to moksha (liberation). It was only through selflessness and love governed by discrimination that a devotee would realise his inner self. Charges that his philosophical views were influenced by Buddhism are unfounded, since Shankara vehemently opposed negation of being, and believed that the un-manifest Brahman manifested itself as Ishwara, the loving, perfect being on high who is seen by many as being Vishnu or Shiva or whatever their hearts dictate. Even though he lived for only thirty-two years, his impact on India and on Hinduism cannot be stressed enough, as he countered the increasing sacerdotalism (the belief that priests can mediate between humans and god) of the masses, and reintroduced a purer form of Vedic thought. He presented a face of Hinduism that could reasonably contend with Buddhist ideas and spread it, as well as reformist measures, across the land, travelling from as far up as Kashmir from areas in the South of India. His Hindu revival movement paved the way for the strict theistic movements of Ramanuja and Madhva, and helped lead to the decline of Buddhism in much of India. Some books written by AdiShankara: The “Crest-Jewel of Discrimination” or VivekaChudamani The commentary Bhasya on the Brahma Sutra The commentary on the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad The commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad The commentary on the Bhagavad Gita The Thousand Teachings or Upadesasahasri A hymn to Krishna as the Herder of Cows, known as BhajaGovindam Benedictory invocation to Shiva and Shakti, namely Sivanandalahari and Saundaryalahari respectively Commentary on Vishnu Sahasranama Monasteries (Mathas) Shankara founded four mathas (monastery). These are following: Sringeri (Karnataka), Dwaraka (Gujarat), Puri (Orissa) and Jyotirmath or Joshimath (Uttaranchal). The matha at Kanchipuram or Kanchi in Tamil Nadu claims that it was also founded by Shankara. According to this matha, it was where he settled in his last days and attained mahaasamaadhi (i.e. left his body), but there are other, equally well-founded accounts which claim that he attained mahaasamadhi at Kedarnath. Various Surnames
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