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Sanatkumara Purana
The Kumaras are four sages (''rishis'') from the Puranic texts of Hinduism who roam the universe as children, generally named Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, and Sanatkumara. They are described as the first mind-born creations and sons of the creator-god Brahma. Born from Brahma's mind, the four Kumaras undertook lifelong vows of celibacy (brahmacharya) against the wishes of their father. They are said to wander throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with the purpose of teaching. All four brothers studied Vedas from their childhood, and always travelled together. The ''Bhagavata Purana'' lists the Kumaras among the twelve '' mahajanas'' (great devotees or bhaktas) who although being eternally liberated souls from birth, still became attracted to the devotional service of Vishnu from their already enlightened state. They play a significant role in a number of Hindu spiritual traditions, especially those associated with the worship of Vishnu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ganjifa
Ganjifa, Ganjapa or Gânjaphâ, is a card game and type of playing cards that are most associated with Persia and India. After Ganjifa cards fell out of use in Iran before the twentieth century, India became the last country to produce them.At the start of the 21st Century production in India was still ongoing in the town of Sawantvadi in the west, and Odisha in the east for example. See Abram (2003: 53) and Crestin-Billet (2002: 189). The form prevalent in Odisha is Ganjapa. Description Ganjifa cards are circular or rectangular, and traditionally hand-painted by artisans. The game became popular at the Mughal Empire, Mughal court, and lavish sets were made, from materials such as precious stone-inlaid ivory or tortoise shell (''darbar kalam''). The game later spread to the general public, whereupon cheaper sets (''bazâr kalam'') would be made from materials such as wood, palm tree, palm leaf, stiffened cloth or pasteboard. Typically Ganjifa cards have coloured backgrounds, with ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
