Tamil Nadu graffiti – rope and rod symbol indicates Varuna.

The figure above is from Gurumurthy’s book. (Page no 117). These symbols are from Thirukampuliyur, near Karur, and Kodumanal, near Tiruppur. Gurumurthy defines the above symbol as the chariot. However, my opinion differs. I feel it looks like the noose and rod symbol of Varuna.

The same symbol also appears in IVC symbols; however, the problem persists, and this symbol cannot be adequately defined. I have also suggested that this symbol, as a “double ovary,” thereby represents the goddess Meshkhenet. For more information, read my article, “Two Bricks Symbol Indicates the Egyptian Goddess Meshkhenet” (Reference: Chapter 46 of my book, Indus Symbols Dictionary). (1) However, this interpretation needs correction at this stage.

The graffiti from Thirukampuliyur (near Karur) and Kodumanal (near Tiruppur) depict the rope-and-rod symbol more clearly. Considering both of these figures together, the idea of the god Varuna suits the rod and rope symbols much better.

The above figure illustrates variants of the rod and rope symbol from the book of Gurumurthy, page no. 269.

Two uterus symbols.

The seal beside shows a symbol (marked by an arrow) resembling two bags attached to a pole. Rekha Rao proposes that it could have indicated the offering made to the Vedic god Rudra, which was traditionally hung on a pole. (2) However, I have not found any reference to offering on a pole so far. Hence, it needs verification. It could indicate the two branches of the uterus symbol. Another possibility is that this symbol represents Varuna’s staff and noose.

The possibility that this symbol represents a noose and a stick is strong in this inscription. Read this symbol with other symbols in this seal inscription. This slanting lines symbol means ‘Dangerous’; the epithet of a ‘dangerous’ god is often associated with the gods Varuna and Kali. Additionally, the stick symbol is a sign of Varuna, as well as a symbol of an Agnoukaran ceremony. All these points indicate that the two loops symbol indicate Varuna only.

A variant of two bricks symbol

The above seal inscriptions display a single stroke within the oval circle, marked by the arrow. There is a possibility that it could be a modified version of two brick symbols. Here, only one brick is shown within the uterus symbol. The other possibility is that it could be the ‘noose and stick’ symbol of the god Varuna.

A variant of the two-uterus symbol.

The nearby seal inscription features a new symbol, characterised by a single stroke that separates two oval-shaped circles. This symbol could be a different version of the uterus symbol. (or) The other possibility is that of Vauna’s stick and noose symbol.

Another variant of the noose symbol.

The seal inscription presented nearby shows another type of two-brick symbol. Rekha Rao states it could be the Pinda offering made to Pithrus (Manes/ancestors). (2) I also held a similar view earlier. However, I think the time has come to revise that idea. This symbol requires reconsideration. Pinda is always offered in three lumps, meant for three generations of Pithrus, not in two chunks. Hence, the possibility of this symbol being a Pinda offering is less. It is probably a variation of the Uterus symbol, the two-brick symbol, or Varuna’s noose symbol.

References

1. Jeyakumar(Book). Indus symbols dictionary. s.l. : Pothi Publication -Online, 2022.

2. Rao., Rekha. Symbolography in Indus seals. Symbolography in Indus seals(e-Book). s.l. : https://read.amazon.in/, 2015.