IVC The single mountain symbol indicates the mountain god Enlil.

April 28, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

IVC – The single mountain symbol indicates the mountain god Enlil or Varuna.

Generally, the ideas of IVC are followed by Tamil Nadu Graffiti markings. However, there are some distinctive features between these two civilisations. The mountain symbol is one such example. The IVC priests used a single mountain to indicate god Varuna or Enlil, whereas the Tamil Nadu funeral priests used a double mountain symbol for the same purpose. They may convey the same meaning, or there could be subtle differences. The Tamil Nadu priest could have indicated the Egyptian god “Geb” by his double mountain symbol. I have written a separate article about the double mountain symbol. Read that article for more information.

The inscriptions in this seal show a man and his legs tied to a chevron symbol. This figure likely indicates the mountain god; the chevron symbol attached to his leg suggests that both these symbols should be read together, and the conclusion is that it is the mountain god. The bow-like symbol could indicate a type of Yajna, where this semicircle indicates the Yajna pit used in the ritual. The comb symbol indicates the word offering.

Picture courtesy – Wikipedia (1) Note the semi-circle in the Yajnasala map shown on the side. It indicates the Dakshinagni fire pit, not Rudra’s bow symbol.

Frequency analysis of the data of Iravatham Mahadevan (2)

Symbols -pairs	Frequency of occurrence	Meaning of the symbols
	7 times	Mountain god and his stick (Varuna)
	4 Times	The half stick symbol could have indicated the determinative idea of the ancient hieroglyphic or Yajna symbol.
Triplets (Symbols)
	3 times	Varuna Yajna – Garhapatya Yajna, the Wheel symbol indicates Garhapatya Yajna.
	2 times	Varuna and his stick, followed by the caduceus symbol indicating eternal life, to Pithru.

Analysis of the above-given data shows that the mountain and stick symbol is in harmony with the idea of the mountain god Varuna. It should be noted that the God Varuna was originally a sky god, but was later delegated to the watery realm, after the ascendancy of Indra. (Or) The mountain symbol could have indicated the Sumerian god Enlil.

In addition to the above mountain symbol, these symbols could also indicate the phrase “Mountain Sastha”.

The table below shows the variants of the single mountain symbol.

	The chevron symbol in this seal inscription may indicate the mountain god. The comb symbol means offering. The last symbol indicates the word Yajna(fire-sticks).
	The third symbol may be another variant of the mountain symbol. (read from right to left) The two fish symbols indicate the pithrus in heaven.
	In this seal inscription, the mountain symbol follows the god symbol. The stick symbol indicates the stick of Varuna. The caduceus symbol suggests the word “Eternity”. Here, most probably Varuna is giving eternal life to the deceased person.
	(Read from right to left) The mountain symbol and the Sastha symbol follow the dangerous symbol. It reads as the dangerous god Varuna Sastha.
	Varuna is the God with the chevron symbol on his leg, and the fork symbol could be a modified form of the Sastha symbol.

General article – Amulets used by ancient Egyptians and Indus Valley People.

April 27, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

General article – use of amulets in ancient Egyptian society and the Indus Valley civilisation.

It is surprising to note that ancient Egyptians used a large number of amulets to protect the various body parts of a Mummy. A similar situation might have been the case with a living person. He could have also used multiple amulets and talismans to protect him in this world. It is likely that ancient IVC people also could have used similar talismans in their daily life and funeral rituals. The Indus seals found were likely used as amulets for dead people for protection.

The relevance of discussing this issue of amulets is that the Indus Valley people also used many amulets similar to those of the Egyptians, which shows the influence of ancient Egyptian civilisation on the Indus Valley civilisation. It is hard to understand the purpose and use of these amulets. These amulets were used separately for separate body parts and would have been accompanied by a ritual on that day and a bull sacrifice to feed people and priests. The mummification required 40 days for the body to dry thoroughly. Hence, there would have been periodic sacrifices to keep momentum and people together. I have reproduced below a photo from Wikipedia, showing some of the amulets used by the Egyptians.

The above picture is from Wikipedia and gives a general idea about the variety of amulets used by ancient Egyptians. (1) (2)

This picture in Bristol City Museum shows a mummy figure on which various amulets were used. This gives a general idea of how many amulets were used on multiple body parts and the idea behind the use of amulets. (1)

Amulets are objects believed to provide the wearer protection, health, and good luck. Both the living and the dead used them. Ancient Egyptian art, produced from the 6th millennium BC to the 4th century AD, frequently incorporated amulets, highlighting their significance in ensuring well-being.

They are also known as good luck charms. The purpose of amulets was to help the wearer in life. This practice reflects a belief in the power of objects to

influence circumstances and offer a sense of security. (4)

Ancient Egyptians used numerous amulets to protect and ensure a positive afterlife.

These small charms, often worn or placed on the body, were believed to possess magical powers and were used by both the living and the dead to invoke aspects of deities and animals for well-being and safety. (4)

I have already discussed various amulets in separate articles. Hence, I have not given details about individual amulets here. It is only a general article. Read the separate articles for more information.

References

Wikipedia(Plummet-amulet). [Online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plummet_amulet.
Mogadir. [Online] By Mogadir – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29394851.
Bristol City Museum. [Online] https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71671235.
Wikipedia(Amulet). [Online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amulet.

IVC Ankh symbol means life

April 23, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

IVC – “Ankh” symbol means “life”

Abstract

Many important symbols of IVC are derived from ancient Egyptian civilisation. Hence, I naturally expected the important ankh symbol to be in modified form in the Indus script. The Ankh symbol is present in IVC, but in a confusing form.

Figure 1Arrow symbol variants as per Mahadevan

The arrow symbol variants are as per Mahadevan. He grouped only two symbols under this category, whereas the classification of Mohenjo-daro.com groups many symbols under this category. These variants are as listed in the Indus script fonts file. Details are given below. These variants are from the book by Asko Parpola. (1)

Figure 2Arrow symbol variants as per Mohenjo-Daro.com.

The Ankh symbol represents life (immortality) and death. It can also represent zest, joy of life, and energy. The ancient Egyptians used the ankh to stand for a word that meant life. It is also called crux ansata, Latin for cross-with-a-handle. Like most religious or spiritual symbols, the Ankh Cross has no single, simple meaning.

The seal inscription beside it shows an ankh-like symbol that means life. The three symbols are read as follows: Kedaga (protection of life), Life (ankh symbol), ritual on Astaka day (Eighth day). One crucial point to be noted here is that the ankh symbol looks like a cross, not an arrow, whereas Mahadevan classifies everything into an arrow symbol. This classification of Mahadevan is leading to confusion.

The seal inscription reads like this: (Read from right to left.) It is the same message as in the earlier seal. Kedaga – Ankh (Life) – ritual on Astaka day. There is no god mentioned. Just “life” is mentioned.

The first two symbols read as follows(Read from left to right): Life (Ankh) – Sastha (Branch symbol). Only one god could give life in IVC: god “Heh”, the seventh day god. He is called “Ayyappan” in South India at present.

Mahadevan’s data mentions the seventh day god only once in a triplet. Data analysis shows that no specific god is aligned with this life-giving ankh symbol. The significant pairing frequency occurs with the Astaka symbol (Ritual on the eighth day). Details are given in the table below.

This symbol pair occurs 19 times.

An arrow symbol follows this Astaka symbol. This Astaka symbol is also an arrow. However, there is a difference in the way it is drawn. It is more stylistic and ritualistic; it means the eighth day ritual.

However, the second arrow is thin. The symbol provided by Mahadevan does not distinguish the ankh symbols shown in seals. The symbols provided by the National Fund for Mohenjo-Daro differentiate variants of this arrow symbol. (see the variants supplied at the top of this article). This data from Mahadevan is not reliable. It does not explain the symbol’s meaning properly.

This pair occurs 4 times.

This symbol pair reads as “Ankh Sastha”. Ankh Sastha is the god “Heh”. This combination is logical and meaningful.

The second arrow shown by Mahadevan is not correct. The second arrow symbol has a distinct loop on the top of the arrow, like an ankh symbol. Mahadevan has not classified this ankh symbol as a separate symbol. (2) He has omitted the ankh symbol and taken it as an arrow symbol. Hence, the frequency data that Mahadevan provided is unreliable for this ankh symbol. Based on the above discussion, it can be concluded that the Ankh symbol was present in IVC, with the same meaning as that of the Egyptian hieroglyphic meaning. The god who gave everlasting life in IVC was god “Heh”, he is still being worshipped in the name of “Ayyappan” in South India. (3)

References

1. Parpola, Asko (a). Deciphering the Indus script. New York : Cambridge University Press, 2000.

2. RMRL, Mahadevan. [Online] Mahadevan, Iravatham & Roja Muthiah Research Library (2021), The Indus Script Web Application(IM77/IDF80). https://indusscript.in.

3. Jeyakumar(Ayyappan). [Online] 2015. https://www.academia.edu/31640471/Ayyappan_and_Ayyanar_the_difference_is_explained?email_work_card=reading-history.

IVC backbone symbolises the Djed of Egypt Stability and eternity

April 22, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

IVC – Backbone symbolises the Djed column of Egypt – Eternity and stability

The djed column in ancient Egypt symbolises stability and permanence, often associated with the god Osiris, representing his backbone. It played a significant role in rituals and was believed to ensure the well-being of the deceased and their journey to the afterlife. (1)

The djed was often used as an amulet for the living and the dead. It was placed as an amulet near the spines of mummified bodies, which was supposed to ensure the resurrection of the dead, allowing the deceased to live eternally. This belief in the power of the djed to transcend death and ensure the afterlife is a fascinating aspect of ancient Egyptian culture. The Book of the Dead lists a spell which, when spoken over a gold amulet hung around the mummy’s neck, ensures that the mummy would regain use of its spine and be able to sit up. It was also painted onto coffins. (1)

History of Djed

Osiris was originally an agricultural deity from Syria. When his followers immigrated to Egypt, they brought with them their fetish (cult object). Their fetish was the djed, and they named their city after it, “Djedu”. As the popularity of Osiris grew, so did the djed’s appearance in art, especially in tombs. The djed was often painted on the bottom of coffins where the deceased’s backbone would rest. The djed was usually created as an amulet of stability and regenerative power. (2)

The Djed Pillar Festival was a cultic celebration of the symbol and its powers. It was held annually in Egypt and was a tremendous spiritual refreshment for the people. The priests raised the djed pillar on the first day of shemu (the harvest season on the Nile). The people then paid homage to the symbol and conducted a mock battle between good and evil. With its rich symbolism and spiritual significance, this festival was a key event in the ancient Egyptian calendar. (2)

Picture courtesy -Jon Bodsworth (3)

The picture beside shows the raising of the Djed pillar in ancient Egypt.

This picture shows the flag hoisting ceremony in Tamil Nadu temples, which looks very similar to the Djed erection in Egyptian temples. This ceremony of Tamil Nadu temples is identical to the ceremony of Egypt. It is further evidence that the origin of South Indian culture is from ancient Egypt.

Figure 1Picture courtesy Hindu Tamil. in (4)

Usage as amulets

The picture beside shows a djed amulet inscribed with the name Ramesses IX of the Twentieth Dynasty.

The djed was often used as an amulet for the living and the dead. It was placed as an amulet near the spines of mummified bodies, which was supposed to ensure the resurrection of the dead, allowing the deceased to live eternally. The Book of the Dead lists a spell which, when spoken over a gold amulet hung around the mummy’s neck, ensures that the mummy would regain use of its spine and be able to sit up. It was also painted onto coffins. (1)

Frequency analysis of Mahadevan (5)

Frequency of occurrence	reading	notes
6 times	Read from right to left. Resurrection and stability – on funeral mound building day (Seventh day – god Heh) – and the Double mountain god Geb.	The idea of resurrection and stability for a dead man’s soul was emphasised on the seventh day after death.
6 times	Read from right to left. Resurrection and stability – Prayer to Rudra (Bow and arrow symbol) – Yajna	Rudra is appeased on this day for resurrection and stability.

There is also a possibility that the backbone symbol could have indicated the god Osiris. See the combination with the mountain god Geb. Osiris was the son of Geb and later acquired all the characteristics of Geb. Further to be noted is that the double mountain symbol occurs at large numbers, whereas the backbone symbol occurs at low frequency; maybe Osiris was a later god who arrived at IVC.

References

1. Wikipedia(djed). [Online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djed.

2. Egyptianmyths.net(Djed). [Online] http://www.egyptianmyths.net/djed.htm.

3. Bodsworth, Jon. [Online] By Jon Bodsworth – http://www.egyptarchive.co.uk/html/seti_abydos_16.html, Copyrighted free use, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6311984.

4. Hindutamil.in. [Online] https://www.hindutamil.in/news/tamilnadu/819040-anithirumanjana-flag-hoisting-ceremony-was-held-at-chidambaram-natarajar-temple.html.

5. RMRL, Mahadevan. [Online] Mahadevan, Iravatham & Roja Muthiah Research Library (2021), The Indus Script Web Application(IM77/IDF80). https://indusscript.in.

Another evidence for funeral seal theory – 24 th day

April 15, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

Another evidence for the funeral seals theory is number 24.

The IVC seal indicates many numbers but is restricted to number eight; a few examples of numbers twelve are also seen. I have been telling you for a long time that these seals were prepared during rituals related to death ceremonies. Various dates relate to various ceremonies conducted over 24 days. For more information, read my article, “Indus numerals indicate various gods per calendar days”. Now, I have another evidence to support my theory. See the seal below:

In Hinduism, the mourning period following a death typically lasts 10 to 30 days. While the provided search results do not specifically mention the 24th day, they highlight the significance of rituals and mourning practices during this period. The duration of the mourning period can vary depending on family traditions and beliefs. The 13-day mourning period is calculated from the time of death, suggesting that practices on the 24th would still be within the broader mourning timeline. These days are significant as the family is still grieving and performing rituals for the deceased.

There are 24 strokes in this seal, marking 24 days. This seal was prepared 24 days after a person’s death, marking the end of the mourning period. Generally, the mourning period lasts for 30 days for Hindus. It was the same for IVC people. In ancient Egypt, the mourning period was 40 days because mummification required 40 days; hence, this was lengthy.

This seal conclusively proves that the IVC seals were prepared during various rituals related to death and funeral ceremonies. Many of the decipherers are linking these numbers to trade transactions and measurements. This is the main reason for their failure over a hundred years. This fundamental flaw had to be corrected to decipher IVC seal inscriptions meaningfully.

In Hindu funeral practices, the 24th day is significant as it marks the completion of the initial mourning period and the beginning of a more public remembrance of the deceased. It follows the customary 13-day mourning period, during which the family observes specific rituals and restrictions. After the 24th day, the family may resume regular activities and prepare for longer-term memorials or memorial services.

The 24th day typically signifies the end of the more intense mourning period, where family members may have been fasting, avoiding certain activities, and adhering to stricter rules. While the 13 days are primarily focused on the family’s internal grief and rituals, the

24th day and beyond often involve more public remembrance, such as a memorial service or a larger gathering to celebrate the deceased’s life.

The 24th day and subsequent days allow the family to gradually reintegrate into everyday life while still honouring the memory of the departed. Hindu funeral rituals, including the 24th-day observance, are ultimately designed to facilitate the soul’s journey toward moksha (liberation).

IVC symbols – Snake symbol indicates the God Varuna.

April 4, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

IVC – Snake symbol indicates God Varuna

The snake symbol rarely occurs in IVC seal inscriptions. The seal below shows the caduceus symbol, not even a full snake. Yet, it is essential to know which god this caduceus symbol represents.

The first symbol of the inscription is the caduceus symbol (Read from right to left).

This caduceus symbol indicates that Ea/Hermes was one of the important gods of the Indus people. For more information, read my article, “The goat symbol indicates the Sumerian god Ea, equivalent to Hermes”(article 18).

I have assigned the god Hermes to the caduceus symbol in my book, the Indus Symbols Dictionary. I feel that this interpretation is incorrect because the caduceus symbol associated with Hermes may have arrived in India much later, coinciding with the Greek invasion. These IVC seals are approximately 2000 years older than Greek rule in India.

Hence, we must assign a god other than Hermes. In my opinion, the caduceus symbol (also known as the snake symbol) will be much more suitable for God Vauna.

This above correction leads to one more correction in the article,” Indus numerals indicate various gods as per calendar days.” In this article, I have assigned the fifth day to the goddess Mashkhenet; this needs to be corrected, as the fifth day, Naga Panchami, is assigned to the god Varuna. I have not assigned a specific calendar day to Varuna, but Varuna appears in many IVC seals and must be assigned to a particular day on the calendar. The fifth day of the calendar is an ideal choice for this occasion.

In Hindu mythology, the god Varuna, associated with water and the ocean, is sometimes depicted with snakes, particularly Nagas, who are considered sacred creatures and reside in his realm, representing eternity and divine knowledge. (1)

Varuna’s Realm: Varuna is the god of the waters, including oceans, rivers, and underground waters, and some Nagas, or snakes, are believed to dwell in his kingdom. (1) Snakes as Sacred Creatures: In ancient Indian culture, snakes, or Nagas, are revered as sacred creatures, representing eternity, impermanence, life, death, time, and timelessness. In some depictions, Varuna is shown with a noose in the form of a snake or even traveling on a crocodile, which also has connections to the aquatic realm. [1]

Lord Varuna is a Celestial God in the Vedic texts. He is the God connected with sky, sea, truth, and Rta. We have come to know him through numerous ancient scriptures and religious texts. In Hinduism, he is the God of Oceans. He is omnipresent and is the guardian deity of the Western direction. The name Varuna means “he who covers.”

Lord Varuna is one of the most significant deities in Hinduism. We can find his representation in different forms throughout the decades. He carries a noose as a weapon, which he uses to bind those who sin. He ties people who lied or worked against their words with a rope. He carried the noose with him at all times.

Apart from that, Lord Varuna rides a chariot drawn by seven swans. He holds different items in his hands as well. They include a lotus, a conch, a vessel of gems, and a noose. In some representations, we can find Lord Varuna riding a Makara or a sea monster. In such depictions, the noose is often depicted as a snake. There are other portrayals in Hindu temples and other places where Lord Varuna is shown traveling on a crocodile instead. These are all the different ways in which Lord Varuna is represented. He uses his weapon to capture sinners and deliver them to justice. (1)

References

1. Pujayagna.com. God Varuna. [Online] https://pujayagna.com/blogs/hindu-gods- goddesses/lord-varuna.

Tamil Nadu graffit rope and stick

April 4, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

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.

Tamil Nadu graffiti symbol karikidam

April 2, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

The Tamil Nadu graffiti symbol – the “Karkida” symbol indicates the Pithru rituals in the month of “Karkidam”.

The month of Karkidam is the time to remember ancestors in Kerala. This ritual is performed throughout India, even though it is known by different names. However, only in Kerala have people retained its original name, “Karkida Vavu”. Initially, it could have been called “Karkida Kavu”; however, because of the abandonment of animal sacrifice, it has become Karkida Vavu. Please refer to my article, “God Rudra was the most important god of the Indus Valley civilisation,” for more details. (1)

Figure 1Karkida symbols with arrows merged. Picture courtesy Rajan. (1)

The picture above shows the karkida symbols with arrow symbols. Karkida means crab. The god of the karkida month is Rudra. Rudra’s arrows cause injury and death. Rudra was the most worshipped god in IVC. Please observe the above symbols keenly. It can be seen that the arrow symbol is merged with the karkida symbol. This is quite logical because Rudra is the god associated with the rituals held in this month. Reference page no. 101, Book of Rajan. (1) The above picture is graffiti from the Hyderabad region.

The picture above shows some of the variants of the Karkida symbol in IVC. The same symbol similarly appears in Tamil Nadu.

The above given karkida symbols are from Kodumanal, Erode district. Note the similarity with the Karkida symbol of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). That indicates the karkida ritual was common to both civilisations. An additional point to note is that the karkida symbol is drawn within the pot symbol. The pot symbol indicates the sacrifice pot, thereby signifying that an animal sacrifice was performed and the blood was offered to the Pithrus on the occasion of that ritual.

The above graffiti is from Kodumanal, as referenced in the book by Gurumurthy. (3) If it is an arrow symbol, it indicates the Hindu god Rudra. If it is considered an inverted branch, then it means Ka (Soul) (Represented by a Hand symbol). Anyhow, the situation remains the same on both interpretations. It is the ritual on karkida day to please the Pithru or god Rudra.

The ligature above is from the book Rajan. (2) This ligature displays the karkida symbol with a star symbol. It shows that karkidam was a star as well as a month. I have been telling you for a long time that there is a karkida star. This graffiti confirms my long-time claim about the Karkida (Crab) constellation and symbol.

$C:\Users\user\Desktop\crab constellation picture.png$

Sky map showing the ‘Crab constellation’: Note that the Crab constellation resembles an inverted branch. One important finding is that even though these symbols [ $C:\Users\user\Desktop\ivc-logos-indus - 3\yajna-3.jpg$ and] indicate the word ‘karkida’, it is surprising to see that the clefted branch symbol [ $C:\Users\user\Desktop\ivc-logos-indus - 3\yajna-3.jpg$ ] indicates ‘karkida sastha’. In contrast, the crab symbol [ ] indicates the month of Karkida. Read my article, “Rudra was the most important god of IVC”, for more information. (1)

References

1. Jeyakumar(Rudra). Rudra was the most important god of Indus Valley Civilization. www.academia.edu. [Online] https://www.academia.edu/43654003/Rudra_was_the_most_important_god_of_Indus_Valley_Civilization.

2. Rajan., K. Thonmai Tamizh Iyal (in Tamil). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies, 2018.

3. Gurumurthy .S. Deciphering the Inus script. Chennai. : University of Madras, Chennai., 1999.

Tamil nadu graffiti arrow symbol indicate god rudra

April 1, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

Tamil Nadu Graffiti – Arrow symbols indicate the god Rudra.

Figure 1Karkida symbols with arrows merged. Picture courtesy Rajan. (1)

The picture above shows the karkida symbols with arrow symbols. Karkida means crab. Karkida month is celebrated as the month of worship of ancestors in Kerala. Read the article for more information. God of karkida month is Rudra. Rudra’s arrows cause injury and death. Rudra was the most worshipped god in IVC. Read the article “Rudra was the most important god of the Indus Valley civilisation” for more information. (2)

Please observe the above symbols keenly. It can be seen that the arrow symbol is merged with the karkida symbol. This is quite logical because Rudra is the god associated with the rituals held in this month. Reference page no. 101, Book of Rajan. (1) The above picture is graffiti from the Hyderabad region.

Again, these ligatures are from the Hyderabad region, as mentioned in the same reference above. (1) These ligatures feature an arrow within the symbol of the sky, representing heaven. This arrow could have indicated the god Rudra in heaven. At the same time, there is a possibility that this arrow could be a hand symbol indicating Ka (soul), which is reaching heaven.

This ligature requires some more discussion. Gurumurthy says it resembles a face—see page 56 of Gurumurthy’s book. (3) But I beg to differ with his interpretation. In my opinion, it resembles an arrow in the sky. Or soul ascending to heaven. This shows the varied nature of interpretations. The interpretation depends on the idea of individual persons’ minds. However, these graffiti marks should be interpreted in the context of the place where the artifacts were found. These pot graffiti are from funeral pots. Hence, something related to death and heaven is a reasonably expected idea from such markings.

The symbols mentioned above are from the Kodumanal, as referenced from the book of rajan. (1) All these symbols indicate the arrows and bow and arrows. This symbol, featuring a bow and arrow, is the trademark of the god Rudra. This suggests that the ancient Hindu deity Rudra was worshipped in the Hyderabad region in ancient times. Now, we have to verify the status of Rudra in ancient Tamil Nadu.

These arrow symbols are from kodumanal pottery graffiti.

It shows that God Rudra was also present in Kodumanal, Erode district.

The graffiti above is from Kodumanal, as referenced on page 129 of the book by Rajan. The symbol referenced under number 54.1 depicts a sacrificial pot with an arrow inside. It means that the blood sacrifice was done to please the god Rudra. The symbol referenced under number 54.2 depicts an arrow symbol positioned beneath the sky symbol. The sky symbol indicates heaven. This conclusively shows that the god Rudra was also present in ancient Tamil Nadu.

Although the arrow symbols are visible in Kodumanal graffiti, they are not as prevalent as in the IVC symbol. Likely, Rudra was not the top god of the ancient Tamil people; only the mountain god Varuna, associated with Geb, was a significant deity among the Tamil people. It again confirms the limited influence of Vedic ideas in Tamil country.

References

1. Rajan., K. Thonmai Tamizh Iyal (in Tamil). Chennai : International Institute of Tamil Studies., 2018.

2. Jeyakumar(Rudra). Rudra was the most important god of the Indus Valley Civilization. www.academia.edu. [Online] https://www.academia.edu/43654003/Rudra_was_the_most_important_god_of_Indus_Valley_Civilization.

3. Gurumurthy .S. Deciphering the Inus script. Chennai. : University of Madras, Chennai., 1999.

Tamil Nadu graffiti the dog like symbol indicates goddess ammit

April 1, 2025/in INTRODUCTION /by Jeyakumar Ramasami

Tamil Nadu graffiti – Crocodile goddess Ammit/Taweret

The above graffiti symbol from Uraiyur represents the demon goddess Ammit/Taweret. The above graffiti is from Uraiyur, Trichy district. Refer to page 131 of Gurumurthy’s book. The second symbol may represent the “Sa” symbol, a type of talisman that provides protection against evil forces.

The ‘Sa’ symbol in ancient Egypt was associated with the goddess Taweret and represented protection, serving as a symbol of protection. Taweret was associated with childbirth and the facilitation of the rebirth of a soul. One Indus script symbol is similar to this ‘Sa’ symbol in form and meaning. Details are given below. Please refer to Chapter 38 of my book, “Sa – Symbol Means Protection,” for more information. (3)

This dog-like symbol could be Ammit/ Taweret, which ate the dead man’s soul on the occasion of the weighing of the heart. For more information, read my article, “The Crocodile Symbol Indicates the Goddess Ammit and Taweret.” Reference – Article 11 of my book, Indus Symbols Dictionary. Ammit was the Egyptian demoness but was also present in the Indus Valley civilisation. This shows Egypt’s influence on the Indus civilisation as well as in Tamil Nadu. A second possibility is that this symbol may also have indicated the Egyptian goddess Taweret.

The above-given symbols could indicate the crocodile demon Ammit or the demon goddess Taweret.