Where did the word mummy come from?

Sham S. Misri

King Tut’s mummy was discovered in Egypt nearly a century ago. The word mummy that we use in science comes from an old Turkish term that refers to a rock. It’s is the process of making somebody like a rock. Being mummified looks a lot like being turned into a stone. [The term] was picked up 800 years ago in Old English. When you look at a mummy in a museum case, it does still have flesh on it. But the flesh has been changed. It’s been dried out in a special way and treated by experts. So it doesn’t feel like flesh. It feels like beef jerky.

 In Ancient Egypt, there was an industry to create cat mummies that would be buried with people. There is an archeological site where a million cat mummies were created for sale. If you look closely at some of those that turn up in Egyptian tombs, [you’ll see] they’re fakes. Someone was trying to pass off a cat mummy when there were only sticks and stones inside. We know that because we have a technology to look inside the mummy.

[Source: Time for kids]

Born out of ant-hills (Valmiki)

Sham S.Misri

There is an interesting story about Valmiki. The Uttara Khanda tells the story of Valmiki's early life, a highway robber named Valya Koli who used to rob people after killing them. Once, the robber tried to rob the divine sage Narada for the benefit of his family. Narada asked him if his family would share the sin he was incurring due to the robbery. The robber replied positively, but Narada told him to confirm this with his family. The robber asked his family, but none agreed to bear the burden of sin. Dejected, the robber finally understood the truth of life and asked for Narad’s forgiveness. Narada taught the robber to worship God. The robber meditated for many years, so much so that ant-hills grew around his body. Finally, a divine voice declared his penance successful, bestowing him with the name Valmiki, "one born out of ant-hills."

Hands tell a story

Sham S. Misri

1. Adolf Hitler had a habit of standing with his hands clasped in front of his genitals. This is a defensive posture and it’s commonly used by people who feel socially or sexually insecure. In Hitler’s case it prompted the joke at the time that he was ‘hiding the last unemployed member of the Third Reich.’

2. Whenever we think of Napoleon Bonaparte, it’s said that his trademark tell was his habit of walking with his hands clasped behind his back, a practice that made him instantly recognizable to his troops, even at a great distance.

King Pratapaditya of Kashmir was comparable to Indra

Sham S. Misri
King Pratapaditya of Kashmir also known as (Durlabhaka) 637-687 A.D. The virtuous Durlabhaka was comparable to Indra. He ruled for fifty years. 
An Anecdote
The king had a rich minister who built a village for the" habitation of the Brahmans. This powerful king built a beautiful town named Pratapapura where merchants from many places came and settled. Among them was Nona who built Nonamatha for the habitation of the Brahmans. The king was pleased with him, and invited him; and. the merchant passed with him a day and a night amidst entertainments befitting a king. In the morning the king asked how he was, the merchant complained of headache on account of the smoke of the lamp that was burning in his room. Afterwards, the king was invited by the merchant. The king saw that a rich stone, instead, of a lamp, lighted his room. Astonished at the luxury and riches of the merchant, and being well entertained by his host, the king stayed there for two or three days.
During this period the king saw the beautiful wife of the merchant. She being alone in the house, the king felt a desire for her. On the other hand the lady's female attendant pointed out the king to her, and she also became hooked of the king. This mutual love might have sprung up as a consequence of the love that existed between them in their previous birth. He hid for a short time behind a pillar, she gazed on the king, and as she went away she frequently looked behind on him. The king returned to his capital, but his constant and anxious thoughts of her made him lean. Though he often rebuked himself, and reasoned with himself, it was all of no avail. The king thought in the heart of hearts, “what a sinful affection has grown up in my heart! How powerful is love, that it overcomes reason, and reigns in the heart alone! As a king, I should be afraid of bad deeds, but what sinful temptations have come across me! If the king robs another man’s wife, who shall punish the guilty?" Thus reasoning he could neither leave the path of virtue, nor forget the lady. The king's health gave way, and he was on the point of death. When the merchant heard from the people the cause of the king's ill health, he privately advised his ruler. Now that he was reduced to that state, virtue should no longer oppose his will, for when life is in danger; there is nothing that should not be done. In such a state even learned men, whose opinion is authority, have yielded. Life should not be forsaken for reputation, for when a man dies, fame is at an end, “king," continued the merchant, " you need not respect me, for your benefit I can give up my life, why not then, an object of pleasure? If' even now you refuse, to accept the offer, I shall send her as a dancing girl, for she dances well, and then you can accept her." Thus urged by the merchant and by his own affection, the king, much abashed, accepted the lady.

A (Batah) Hindu holy man

A (Batah) Hindu holy man

There was once a very brave and courageous holy man. He prayed to man for justice. He had a very high opinion of himself to ask for grace also. “Only give me my deserts,” he said, “and I shall fare all right.”

This good man once dined with a friend, and according to custom placed the remainder of his dinner within his wrapping cloth (Tshadar). On the way home it happened that the rice and vegetables were changed into a human head and a knife, both of which were saturated with blood that dropped upon the road as he walked along.

A policeman observed this.  He came closer and enquired about the matter. The policeman told him what was in the wrapping cloth. The holy man without any hesitation opened his wrap, and lo! There was a human head and a knife.

The pious man was immediately caught and sent to police lock up. On the next day the court sent him a notice. The poor pious man was taken to the judge were many had assembled.  There was a lot of excitement.

The case was tried and the whole evidence was against the poor man. The judge considered the case patiently and for long hours. At last finding no way out by which he could possibly acquit the poor prisoner, he was about to pronounce the sentence of death upon him, when there came from the heaven the sound of a voice saying, “The man is not guilty, let him go free.”

Ever afterwards this man asked for grace also, when he prayed.

Batah miskeen, na duniya te nah din.

The poor Hindu has neither the world nor the religion. The Mohammadans quote this saying.

The Batahas of valley would not touch garlic or onion.

Kashmir the Abode of Rishis

Kashmir the Abode of Rishis

Sham S.Misri

Kashmir is known as the abode of Rishis because it has provided a calm and serene shelter to sages and savants for their penance. In the hoary past, it was inhabited by the Nagas as is proved by Nila in his Nilmat Purana and Kalhana in his Rajatarangini. Nila, himself a naga, was the son of the illustrious Rishi, Kashyapa. The penance and the efforts of Kashyapa transformed the vast span of water called the 'Sati Sar' into a fertile valley fit for inhabitation and worship by the austere Rishis. It was he who helped these Rishis to get rid of the demon 'Jalodbhava'. These Rishis, finding the place secure for their 'Tapas', made it their home and gave it the name 'Kashyapa-mar' after the Rishi who founded it. This name, in due course became Kashmir.

These pious and compassionate Rishis did not neglect the nagas and rakshasas who were the original tribesmen living in this land. They made arrangements to satisfy their needs acid requirements from time to time. This gave rise to certain peculiar customs and festivals, not prevalent in any other part of the country. These forest-dwelling tribes would usually demand food items during the winter months. It is because of this that most of these festivals are held in the month of 'Pausha' of the lunar calendar.

Chakrishwar Shrine of Srinagar, Kashmir

Chakrishwar the abode of Maha Shakti (Parvati) on the hill of Sharika Parvat has been a source of inspiration for many scholars, saints and philosophers of Kashmir from ancient times.

Situated in the centre of Srinagar city in Kashmir valley, it has come into existence millions of years ago as per the descriptions in the Neel mat Puran, the oldest script on Kashmir history and religion.

The Puranic description says that the Chakrishwar came into being after the Parvati in the form of a bird lifted a pebble in her beak and dropped it into the centre of Satisar, the present day Kashmir, which was a lake millions of years ago, to kill the demon Jalodbhava who had created terror among the people living on the bank of Satisar. The place, where the Maha shakhti had dropped the pebble developed into a hill which was later named as Hari Parvat, after the water from the Satisar was drained out by Saint Kashyap Rishi through his great meditation. The legend goes that the Shakhti had formed the shape of a bird called Har (Mina), in Kashmiri while dropping the pebble into the Satisar.