New finds
take archaeologists closer to Krishna
27 Dec 2008, 0330 hrs IST, Bhama Devi Ravi, TNN
(The Times of India)
CHENNAI: The conch and the Sudarshana Chakra are unmistakable.
Although the figures do not match popular images of Kirshna sporting
a peacock feather, archaeologists are convinced that the coins
are of Krishna, revered as an avatar of Vishnu.
"These square coins, dating back to 180- BC, with Krishna
on one side and Balram on the other, were unearthed recently in
Al Khanoun in Afghanistan and are the earliest proof that Krishna
was venerated as a god, and that the worship had spread beyond
the Mathura region," says T K V Rajan, archaeologist and
founder-director, Indian Science Monitor, who is holding a five-day
exhibition, In search of Lord Krishna,' in the city from Saturday.
Having done extensive research in Brindavan, Rajan is convinced
that a lot of the spiritual history of ancient India lies buried.
"Close to 10,000 Greeks, who came in the wake of Alexander
the Great, were Krishna's devotees. There is an inscription by
Heliodorus, the Greek ambassador at Takshila , which reads Deva,
deva, Vasudeva. Krishna is my god and I have installed this Garuda
Pillar at Bes Nagar (now in Bihar),'" says Rajan.
According to him the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has
unearthed many sites that throw fresh light on the era of Krishna.
"ASI is expected to release the full findings next year.
Many of the unearthed artifact have a close resemblance to materials
of what is believed to be the Harappan civilisation. The findings
may show that Krishna's life was the dividing line between India's
spiritual history and the society's gradual shift towards a materialistic
one," says Rajan.
Interestingly, a lot of what has been uncovered closely resemble
the narration in the texts of Mahabharatha and the Bhagavatham,"
he adds. Both the spiritual works are revered by the Hindus as
their holy books.
It has been over five years since the discoveries were made at
Tholavira near Dwaraka, close to Kutch. Much progress has been
made due to the application of thermoluminous study (TL) in ascertaining
the age of artifact. "It is possible to get the diffusion
of atomic particles in the clay pottery unearthed and arrive at
an accurate date," points out Rajan. Tholavira itself is
believed to be the capital city as detailed in the opening chapters
of Bhagavatham. Rajan points to an image of a plough, made of
wood, which is mentioned in the Bhagavatham.
The findings could lay a trail to understanding Krishna's life
(said to be 5,000 years ago) and times, as a historical fact,
says Rajan. The exhibition will be open till December 31 at Sri
Parvathy Gallery, Eldams Road.
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