Author: Rekha Rao

Publisher:

Published: 2017-12-26

Total Pages: 629

ISBN-13: 9781549709203

The decipherment of the unique Indus script has remained controversial as there is no uniformity or logic established in its interpretation. The prominence of a mythical one horned bull that never existed does indicate it is beyond what has been understood till date. This research is focused on, (1) Understanding the significance of the bull, the other animal representations, and the symbols of the script that are inscribed, (2) The interpretation of seals depicting human figures in activity, and (3) Demystifying the curiosity in answering prominent questions that arise when one examines the seals with an open mind such as: Why many seals have single horned bull and some have double horned humped bull picture? Why the bulls are not depicted as eating anything from the manger in front? Why the bull in each seal is associated with different symbols and what do these unique symbols indicate? Why the manger has different design patterns and, supported on a slender pedestal? Are these seals a part of a continuum or is it explicit?In an endeavor to find answers to these questions, the research work had to cross several domains until such time the connectivity got established between the three aspects like the bull, the structure of manger, and the different symbols inscribed. The work started with locating which part of Vedas had the maximum reference to a bull. Many hymns of Rigveda have reference to bull addressing it as a priest. The symbols on seals appeared to be totally based on these Vedic contents. While trying to develop a rationale on the Indus seals, and the symbols inscribed, the symbol similar to the bird-altar caught my attention and wondered why a symbol that was almost similar to a bird altar was used in the symbols of the Indus seal? This prompted me into a study about Yajnas. Through a comparative study of seals it got revealed that the significance of the bull in the seal, is well related to the significance of the bull in Vedic Hymns. The inscriptions on Indus seals are symbolic and symbolography is its presentation. Symbolography is the representation of ideas through signs, a movement which guides for a full understanding or discussion about the underlying aspect. As the study progressed, the coded information of the seals and their significance got interpreted, establishing the fact that the interpretation is holistic and well correlated to the Vedas. Based on all the above, the book has been structured into three parts: Section A is the: Ingredients of a Seal. It has information about the various aspects that are involved in a Yajna ritual as without a background of these, the understandings of seals become confusing. It familiarizes the reader with the significance of single horned bull, double horned bull, rhinoceros, the elephant representations in the seals, and the significance of tigers. The symbolic representation of deities and the significance of the designs on the manger like structure are discussed.The Section B is the: The glossary of symbols. This gives the key information about 260 individual symbols. Their vocabulary is explained with definitions along with the picture of the seal from which it has been drawn.Section C is: Analysis of Seals. In this part, over one-hundred and sixty seals are analysed in detail. The symbols as well as the pictorial parts are dealt with an analysis of each seal.The appendix part of this book provides interesting information about topics like (1) The geometry involved in the symbols, (2) The various fire altars depicted in seals, (3) The significance of the designs of the ladles depicted in bottom part of the tail of the animal representations, and (4) The pictures of the Harappan site are proved to the Yajna shala of Soma rituals, which are hitherto believed to be the 'great public bath of Harappa'. The book proves most interesting to unveil all the mystery behind the Indus seals.