Vana-Nara- Matangs, Matang Rishi and Matangi MahaVidya
Some time back, I was reading an article on Captain AV's blog about Lord Hanuman being a VANA-NARA ( = denizen of the forest ) rather than a VANAR ( = monkey ) as is generally made out.
Also, he had stated in his blog that Lord Hanumana had a Vimana. That... this Vimana was used by Lord Hanumana to gut in fire Rakshasa King Ravana's Lanka.
This idea that Lord Bajranga Bali is a VANA-NARA made GREATER sense to me; rather than Lord Hanumana being a mere VANAR.
So, whilst doing some online web searches on this subject. I got a few bare minimum insights. Sharing those here... NOT sure where these stand.
...
According to Jain Ramayana -
Hanuman, Vali, Sugreev, Jambvant, Nal, Neel were all Matangs.
Matangs originally belong to Nag-vansh, an ancient race/ tribe of Bharat Varsha.
In fact Matangs were known as VIDYADHARS. Proficient in various arcane vidyas i.e. human beings having advanced knowledge of technology.
All of them were noble and handsome personalities, and not some lowly VANARs.
In Jain literature, they are known as Matangs as well as Vidyadhars.
Matangs originally belong to Nagvansh, an ancient race of India. This race later on became staunch follower of Shramanic religions like Jainism and Buddhism. One can trace the origin of Matangs even during the Indus valley civilization.
There ought to be a definitive theory and apt reasons as to why the Matang race left behind the Sanatana Dharma and moved on to Shramanic religions like- Jainism and Buddhism.
One of the prime reasons could be - their depiction as a VANAR ( rather than VAN-NARA ) in the Valmiki Ramayan. i.e. depicting + treating them in a derogatory manner in the epic texts as also the society.
...
...
...
References to Matangs can be found in ancient Jain literature.
According to Jain literature, Vinami, the great grandson of Rikhab/ Rishabh the first Teerthankar of Jainism, was the founder of Matang race.
Suparshvanath, the 7th Teerthankar of Jainism himself was a Matang. His Yaksha ( attendant God ) was also a Matang.
The Yaksha of Lord Mahaveer the 24th Teerthankar was also a Matang.
Matang Yaksha is Jain God of Prosperity. ( See Matang yaksha sitting on elephant sculpture at Ellora cave no. 32 )
Matangs have ancient history.
One can find references about them in ancient Jain Literture.
According to Jain Literature : -
- Vinami, was the great grandson of Rikhab/ Rishabh the first Teerthankar of Jainism.
- Vinami's son Matang was the founder of Matang Race.
- Suparshvanath, the 7th Teerthankar of Jainism himself was a Matang.
His Yaksha ( attendant god ) was also a Matang.
- The Yaksha of Mahavir the 24th Teerthankar was also a Matang.
- Matang Yaksha is Jain God of Prosperity.
- Acharya Harikeshi, Maiterya, Chitta and Sambhuti were some of famous
Jain Ascetics from the Matang Community.
Their bio-graphies and work is given in Uttaradhyayan Sutra, the famous
Prakrit text of Jains.
- We also find mention of layman Matangs of ancient India, who were disciples of Jain Acharyas.
Matangs had enjoyed higher position and status in the Jain Community of ancient India.
...
...
...
Also MUST note -
Rishi Matang or Jambmuni residing on Rishyamukh Parvat in Kishkindha Parvat. ( at present known as - Matanga Parvata ).
Matanga Parvat is located at Hampi, Karnataka.
Rishi Matang ( or Jambmuni ) was the guru of Shabari ( of Valmiki Ramayan ).
...
...
...
According to Jain Ramayan-
all of the VANARs are human beings, that too Vidyadhars i.e. the human beings having advanced knowledge of technology. Further, they are presented as people belonging to Matang race.
All Vidyadhars were noble and handsome personalities.
Hanuman was a brave General as well as a King. Hanuman helped King Ram in his mission, and was a friend of him, not a devotee or Dasa i.e. servant.
Hanuman had EIGHT queens.
As Hanuman was a human being, his face was NOT like a monkey, but like a human being. And, HE had NO tail.
It is NOTABLE that according to Jainism - only human beings can attain liberation ( Moksha ). And Hanuman, Sugreev and others attained liberation with King Ram at Mangi-Tungi, a mountain in Northern Maharashtra.
...
...
...
Goddess Matangi ( Mat-angi )-
‘Mata’ means mother but literally in means a thought. 'Mati' is the thinking mind; 'Mata' is thought. Fate can ONLY be overcome by a thinking mind.
Goddess Matangi is often associated with :-
- pollution, inauspiciousness and the periphery of Hindu society.
Which is embodied in her most popular form, known as -
Ucchishta-Chandalini or Ucchishta-Matangini.
- She is described as an outcaste ( Chandalini ) and offered left-over or partially eaten food (Ucchishta).
This is done with unwashed hands or just after taking food.
Both of which are considered to be impure in Sanatan Dharma.
- Matangi is an outcaste goddess presiding over all that is impure, polluted. She is the Goddess of Leftovers and Scraps.
- While Ucchishta-Matangini carries a noose, sword, goad, and club.
Her other well-known form Goddess Raja Matangi, plays the veena.
//
One name of Lord Hanuman is Bajrang Bali.
Bajrang -> Baj-Rang
Rang => In Hindi, means color .
Not sure "what colour" the word "Baj" refers to ? Maybe, knowledgeable people MUST seek out. Speak out and, clarify. This might throw some light.
( I guess - copper colored )
//
At present -
Matang is a caste in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Matangs also inhabit Sri Lanka.
Matangs originally belong to Nagvansh, an ancient race of India. This race was staunch follower of Shramanic religions like- Jainism and Buddhism. One can trace the origin of Matangs in Indus valley civilization.
//
Since, this whole post started with Lord Hanuman. So a few notable points worth considering -
AAA) Lord Hanumana was born in the family of VANA-NARAs who were known as "KAPI" ;
BBB) Pamapa Sarovar or Pampasar is situated in modern day Hospet, Mysuru, Karnataka.
There is a village named Annegundi that is taken as the Kishkindha of the Ramayan times.
RishyaMukh Parvat is at present known as Matanga Parvata.
Lord Hanuman is said to be born in the Ashram of Matang Rishi, which was known as RishyaMukh Parvat during the Ramayana times.
CCC) Lord Hanuman's vimana's name was Pada-Ketu ( read somewhere ).
King Ravan had Pushpak vimana.
DDD) There is a web site - www.setu.asia that claims that Lord Hanuman visits the Matang tribal race of Sri Lanka every 41 years.
So... do we see a Matang association here ?
EEE) As per Parashar Samhita, Lord Hanuman is married.
He is married to Sun God's daughter - SuVarchala.
Btw - Lord Hanuman's Guru is Sun God.
There is a temple in Telangana where both Lord Hanuman and his spouse are worshiped together.
This temple is located- nearly 220 kms from Hyderabad. In the Khammam district of Telangana.
This is FYI.
FFF) Not to forget...
there is also a reference in Ramayana about Lord Hanuman's son - Makara-Dhawaja.
Now, Four Questions -
1) So do we infer that VANAR in the Valmiki Ramayana or VANA-NARA
( denizens of forest ) actually implied... these MATANG people ?
2) Is it possible that Rishi Jambmuni was referred to as Rishi Matang or Matang Muni, for the simple reason that he belonged to the Matang race or tribe ?
3) Is it possible that - Goddess Matangi is the daughter of Rishi Jambmuni or
Matang Rishi or Matang Muni ? ( as I was reading somewhere )
In that case- what might have caused her status elevation to a deity ? A Goddess ? Why is She to be deemed as a Goddess ?
( xCuzi this question pleajjI, Chief. In other words- throw some light pLeajje ! Chief )
4) Is the Goddess Matangi the SAME as one of the Dus MahaVidya Goddesses known to us as - Matangi MahaVidya ?
( I would NOT be surprised if that were so ! )
SOURCES/ REFERENCES -
1) http://jainsamaj.org/magazines/ahimsatimesshow.php?id=211
2) a) Matangs in Jain Literature by Prof. Pradeep Phaltane,
b) Uttaradhyan Sutra,
c) "Matang Samajacha Itihas" by Prof. Pradeep Phaltan
3) http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/10010/9/09_chapter%205.pdf
4) http://madiga-matanga.blogspot.in/p/madara-channayya.html
5) http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/matangi.htm
6) https://www.facebook.com/kurupathattil/posts/433124360083285
7) http://hubpages.com/education/Matangs-in-Jain-Literature-and-History
Some time back, I was reading an article on Captain AV's blog about Lord Hanuman being a VANA-NARA ( = denizen of the forest ) rather than a VANAR ( = monkey ) as is generally made out.
Also, he had stated in his blog that Lord Hanumana had a Vimana. That... this Vimana was used by Lord Hanumana to gut in fire Rakshasa King Ravana's Lanka.
This idea that Lord Bajranga Bali is a VANA-NARA made GREATER sense to me; rather than Lord Hanumana being a mere VANAR.
So, whilst doing some online web searches on this subject. I got a few bare minimum insights. Sharing those here... NOT sure where these stand.
...
According to Jain Ramayana -
Hanuman, Vali, Sugreev, Jambvant, Nal, Neel were all Matangs.
Matangs originally belong to Nag-vansh, an ancient race/ tribe of Bharat Varsha.
In fact Matangs were known as VIDYADHARS. Proficient in various arcane vidyas i.e. human beings having advanced knowledge of technology.
All of them were noble and handsome personalities, and not some lowly VANARs.
In Jain literature, they are known as Matangs as well as Vidyadhars.
Matangs originally belong to Nagvansh, an ancient race of India. This race later on became staunch follower of Shramanic religions like Jainism and Buddhism. One can trace the origin of Matangs even during the Indus valley civilization.
There ought to be a definitive theory and apt reasons as to why the Matang race left behind the Sanatana Dharma and moved on to Shramanic religions like- Jainism and Buddhism.
One of the prime reasons could be - their depiction as a VANAR ( rather than VAN-NARA ) in the Valmiki Ramayan. i.e. depicting + treating them in a derogatory manner in the epic texts as also the society.
...
...
...
References to Matangs can be found in ancient Jain literature.
According to Jain literature, Vinami, the great grandson of Rikhab/ Rishabh the first Teerthankar of Jainism, was the founder of Matang race.
Suparshvanath, the 7th Teerthankar of Jainism himself was a Matang. His Yaksha ( attendant God ) was also a Matang.
The Yaksha of Lord Mahaveer the 24th Teerthankar was also a Matang.
Matang Yaksha is Jain God of Prosperity. ( See Matang yaksha sitting on elephant sculpture at Ellora cave no. 32 )
Matangs have ancient history.
One can find references about them in ancient Jain Literture.
According to Jain Literature : -
- Vinami, was the great grandson of Rikhab/ Rishabh the first Teerthankar of Jainism.
- Vinami's son Matang was the founder of Matang Race.
- Suparshvanath, the 7th Teerthankar of Jainism himself was a Matang.
His Yaksha ( attendant god ) was also a Matang.
- The Yaksha of Mahavir the 24th Teerthankar was also a Matang.
- Matang Yaksha is Jain God of Prosperity.
- Acharya Harikeshi, Maiterya, Chitta and Sambhuti were some of famous
Jain Ascetics from the Matang Community.
Their bio-graphies and work is given in Uttaradhyayan Sutra, the famous
Prakrit text of Jains.
- We also find mention of layman Matangs of ancient India, who were disciples of Jain Acharyas.
Matangs had enjoyed higher position and status in the Jain Community of ancient India.
...
...
...
Also MUST note -
Rishi Matang or Jambmuni residing on Rishyamukh Parvat in Kishkindha Parvat. ( at present known as - Matanga Parvata ).
Matanga Parvat is located at Hampi, Karnataka.
Rishi Matang ( or Jambmuni ) was the guru of Shabari ( of Valmiki Ramayan ).
...
...
...
According to Jain Ramayan-
all of the VANARs are human beings, that too Vidyadhars i.e. the human beings having advanced knowledge of technology. Further, they are presented as people belonging to Matang race.
All Vidyadhars were noble and handsome personalities.
Hanuman was a brave General as well as a King. Hanuman helped King Ram in his mission, and was a friend of him, not a devotee or Dasa i.e. servant.
Hanuman had EIGHT queens.
As Hanuman was a human being, his face was NOT like a monkey, but like a human being. And, HE had NO tail.
It is NOTABLE that according to Jainism - only human beings can attain liberation ( Moksha ). And Hanuman, Sugreev and others attained liberation with King Ram at Mangi-Tungi, a mountain in Northern Maharashtra.
...
...
...
Goddess Matangi ( Mat-angi )-
‘Mata’ means mother but literally in means a thought. 'Mati' is the thinking mind; 'Mata' is thought. Fate can ONLY be overcome by a thinking mind.
Goddess Matangi is often associated with :-
- pollution, inauspiciousness and the periphery of Hindu society.
Which is embodied in her most popular form, known as -
Ucchishta-Chandalini or Ucchishta-Matangini.
- She is described as an outcaste ( Chandalini ) and offered left-over or partially eaten food (Ucchishta).
This is done with unwashed hands or just after taking food.
Both of which are considered to be impure in Sanatan Dharma.
- Matangi is an outcaste goddess presiding over all that is impure, polluted. She is the Goddess of Leftovers and Scraps.
- While Ucchishta-Matangini carries a noose, sword, goad, and club.
Her other well-known form Goddess Raja Matangi, plays the veena.
//
One name of Lord Hanuman is Bajrang Bali.
Bajrang -> Baj-Rang
Rang => In Hindi, means color .
Not sure "what colour" the word "Baj" refers to ? Maybe, knowledgeable people MUST seek out. Speak out and, clarify. This might throw some light.
( I guess - copper colored )
//
At present -
Matang is a caste in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Matangs also inhabit Sri Lanka.
Matangs originally belong to Nagvansh, an ancient race of India. This race was staunch follower of Shramanic religions like- Jainism and Buddhism. One can trace the origin of Matangs in Indus valley civilization.
//
Since, this whole post started with Lord Hanuman. So a few notable points worth considering -
AAA) Lord Hanumana was born in the family of VANA-NARAs who were known as "KAPI" ;
BBB) Pamapa Sarovar or Pampasar is situated in modern day Hospet, Mysuru, Karnataka.
There is a village named Annegundi that is taken as the Kishkindha of the Ramayan times.
RishyaMukh Parvat is at present known as Matanga Parvata.
Lord Hanuman is said to be born in the Ashram of Matang Rishi, which was known as RishyaMukh Parvat during the Ramayana times.
CCC) Lord Hanuman's vimana's name was Pada-Ketu ( read somewhere ).
King Ravan had Pushpak vimana.
DDD) There is a web site - www.setu.asia that claims that Lord Hanuman visits the Matang tribal race of Sri Lanka every 41 years.
So... do we see a Matang association here ?
EEE) As per Parashar Samhita, Lord Hanuman is married.
He is married to Sun God's daughter - SuVarchala.
Btw - Lord Hanuman's Guru is Sun God.
There is a temple in Telangana where both Lord Hanuman and his spouse are worshiped together.
This temple is located- nearly 220 kms from Hyderabad. In the Khammam district of Telangana.
This is FYI.
FFF) Not to forget...
there is also a reference in Ramayana about Lord Hanuman's son - Makara-Dhawaja.
Now, Four Questions -
1) So do we infer that VANAR in the Valmiki Ramayana or VANA-NARA
( denizens of forest ) actually implied... these MATANG people ?
2) Is it possible that Rishi Jambmuni was referred to as Rishi Matang or Matang Muni, for the simple reason that he belonged to the Matang race or tribe ?
3) Is it possible that - Goddess Matangi is the daughter of Rishi Jambmuni or
Matang Rishi or Matang Muni ? ( as I was reading somewhere )
In that case- what might have caused her status elevation to a deity ? A Goddess ? Why is She to be deemed as a Goddess ?
( xCuzi this question pleajjI, Chief. In other words- throw some light pLeajje ! Chief )
4) Is the Goddess Matangi the SAME as one of the Dus MahaVidya Goddesses known to us as - Matangi MahaVidya ?
( I would NOT be surprised if that were so ! )
SOURCES/ REFERENCES -
1) http://jainsamaj.org/magazines/ahimsatimesshow.php?id=211
2) a) Matangs in Jain Literature by Prof. Pradeep Phaltane,
b) Uttaradhyan Sutra,
c) "Matang Samajacha Itihas" by Prof. Pradeep Phaltan
3) http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/10010/9/09_chapter%205.pdf
4) http://madiga-matanga.blogspot.in/p/madara-channayya.html
5) http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/matangi.htm
6) https://www.facebook.com/kurupathattil/posts/433124360083285
7) http://hubpages.com/education/Matangs-in-Jain-Literature-and-History
No comments:
Post a Comment