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A falcon and hawk are two different birds and Shyena refers to a falcon Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
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{{Short description|Divine hawk-like creature mentioned in Hindu Mythology}} |
{{Short description|Divine hawk-like creature mentioned in Hindu Mythology}} |
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{{Hinduism}} |
{{Hinduism}} |
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'''Shyena''' ( |
'''Shyena''' ({{Lang-sa|श्येन|translit=Śyena}}) is a divine eagle in [[Hindu mythology]] identified with the fire god [[Agni]], who ascends to heaven for bringing [[soma (drink)|soma]] (nectar) to earth with the intention of rejuvenating and revitalizing of all things that exist on earth. It also refers to the fire-altar constructed with bricks (Agni Chayana) in the shape of a eagle (symbolizing the essence of Agni) in the [[Vedic|Vedic ritual]]. The [[Yajurveda]] prescribes prayers and mantras meant to be recited during the course of the construction of this fire-altar which represents the creator and the created. In the [[Puranas]], Shyena becomes [[Garuda]], the vehicle of [[Vishnu]], which finds mention also in the [[Adi Parva]] of the [[Mahabharata]], and who brought [[amrita]] from heaven at the behest of [[Kadru]], the mother of serpents and a co-wife of the ''[[rishi]]'' (sage) [[Kasyapa|Kashyapa]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Pillar of Celestial Fire|author=Robert Cox|date=November 1997|publisher=1st World Publishing|page=143|isbn=9781887472302|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ykEN2zHvCpQC&dq=shyena+vedas&pg=PA143 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Hinduism|author=Roshan Dalal|date=18 April 2014|publisher=Penguin|page=132|isbn=9788184752779|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&dq=shyena+vedas&pg=PT132 }}</ref> |
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== Literature == |
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Shyena and Suparna, both, refer to the eagle and the falcon, two of the swiftest birds (of prey). In the [[Rig Veda]] [[mantra]] (I.164.20) - द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परि षस्वजाते – there is in fact a reference to these two types of suparnas which are identified as the golden oriole, having beautiful wings, and the eagle. In a mantra addressed to the Vedic god [[Indra]], |
Shyena and Suparna, both, refer to the eagle and the falcon, two of the swiftest birds (of prey). In the [[Rig Veda|Rigveda]] [[mantra]] (I.164.20) - द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परि षस्वजाते – there is in fact a reference to these two types of suparnas which are identified as the golden oriole, having beautiful wings, and the eagle. In a mantra addressed to the Vedic god [[Indra]], |
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:प्र सु ष विभ्यो मरुतो विरस्तु प्र श्येनः श्येनेभ्य आशुपत्वा | |
:प्र सु ष विभ्यो मरुतो विरस्तु प्र श्येनः श्येनेभ्य आशुपत्वा | |
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:अचक्रया यत्स्वधया सुपर्णो हव्यं भरन्मनवे देवजुष्टम् || |
:अचक्रया यत्स्वधया सुपर्णो हव्यं भरन्मनवे देवजुष्टम् || |
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: " Before all birds be ranked this bird, O Maruts; supreme of falcons, be this fleet-winged Shyena, because, strong-pinioned, with no chariot to bear him, he brought to Manu the god-loved oblation (Soma)." – ( |
: " Before all birds be ranked this bird, O Maruts; supreme of falcons, be this fleet-winged Shyena, because, strong-pinioned, with no chariot to bear him, he brought to Manu the god-loved oblation (Soma)." – (Rigveda IV.26.4) |
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Rishi [[Vamadeva]] refers to Shyena as the suparna which brings soma, the favorite oblation of the gods.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Vedas|author=Roshan Dalal|date=15 April 2014|publisher=Penguin|page=511|isbn=9788184757637|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UCEoAwAAQBAJ&dq=shyena+vedas&pg=PT511 }}</ref> In the Rigveda, this term is also used to denote a horse.<ref>{{cite book|author=A. J. Karandikar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JT4eAAAAMAAJ&q=shyena+vedas|title=Vedic Astronomy & Mythology|year = 1978|publisher=Gokul Masik Prakashan|page=101|translator=S. S. Apte}}</ref> |
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Shyena, along with Ketu Agneya and Vatsa, is one of the sons of Agni, who are all rishis.<ref>{{cite book|title=Rishis and Rishikas|author=Shrikant Prasoon|date=3 September 2009|publisher=Pustak Mahal|page=120|isbn=978-8122310726|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=bHIpvQDlazAC&dq=shyena+vedas&pg=PA120 }}</ref> |
Shyena, along with Ketu Agneya and Vatsa, is one of the sons of Agni, who are all rishis.<ref>{{cite book|title=Rishis and Rishikas|author=Shrikant Prasoon|date=3 September 2009|publisher=Pustak Mahal|page=120|isbn=978-8122310726|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=bHIpvQDlazAC&dq=shyena+vedas&pg=PA120 }}</ref> |
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Shyena denotes the [[Atman (Hinduism)|Atman]], to it belongs the power of realizing the Sole Reality.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Hymns of the Sama Veda Sanhita|year=1967|publisher=Dharma Deva Martanda|page=454|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ZQsPAAAAMAAJ&q=shyena+vedas }}</ref> |
Shyena denotes the [[Atman (Hinduism)|Atman]], to it belongs the power of realizing the [[Para Brahman|Sole Reality]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Hymns of the Sama Veda Sanhita|year=1967|publisher=Dharma Deva Martanda|page=454|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ZQsPAAAAMAAJ&q=shyena+vedas }}</ref> |
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Shyena is referred to as a malevolent sacrifice ([[yajna]]) conducted with the intention of causing harm to others.<ref>{{cite book|title=Classical Indian Philosophy|author=Deepak Sarma|year=2011|publisher=Columbia University Press|page=200|isbn=9780231133999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5TK5I6R9xtkC&dq=shyena+vedas&pg=PA200 }}</ref> |
Shyena is referred to as a malevolent sacrifice ([[yajna]]) conducted with the intention of causing harm to others.<ref>{{cite book|title=Classical Indian Philosophy|author=Deepak Sarma|year=2011|publisher=Columbia University Press|page=200|isbn=9780231133999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5TK5I6R9xtkC&dq=shyena+vedas&pg=PA200 }}</ref> |
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At the commencement of the [[Kurukshetra War]] which lasted for eighteen days, the [[Pandava]]s, |
At the commencement of the [[Kurukshetra War]] which lasted for eighteen days, the [[Pandava]]s, being aware that [[Bhishma]] stood protected by the "makara vyuha" and was ready for battle, they had adopted the invincible "shyena vyuha" with [[Bhima]] leading stationed at the mouth and [[Arjuna]] stationed at the neck of the bird-shaped [[vyuha]], and [[Yudhishthira]] patrolling the rear.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mahabharata Vol.5|date=June 2015|publisher=Penguin U.K.|page=288|isbn=9788184756814|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=3vIT1SLNXdYC&dq=shyena+vyuha&pg=PT288 }}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Latest revision as of 08:18, 19 February 2024
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Shyena (Sanskrit: श्येन, romanized: Śyena) is a divine eagle in Hindu mythology identified with the fire god Agni, who ascends to heaven for bringing soma (nectar) to earth with the intention of rejuvenating and revitalizing of all things that exist on earth. It also refers to the fire-altar constructed with bricks (Agni Chayana) in the shape of a eagle (symbolizing the essence of Agni) in the Vedic ritual. The Yajurveda prescribes prayers and mantras meant to be recited during the course of the construction of this fire-altar which represents the creator and the created. In the Puranas, Shyena becomes Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu, which finds mention also in the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, and who brought amrita from heaven at the behest of Kadru, the mother of serpents and a co-wife of the rishi (sage) Kashyapa.[1][2]
Literature
[edit]Shyena and Suparna, both, refer to the eagle and the falcon, two of the swiftest birds (of prey). In the Rigveda mantra (I.164.20) - द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परि षस्वजाते – there is in fact a reference to these two types of suparnas which are identified as the golden oriole, having beautiful wings, and the eagle. In a mantra addressed to the Vedic god Indra,
- प्र सु ष विभ्यो मरुतो विरस्तु प्र श्येनः श्येनेभ्य आशुपत्वा |
- अचक्रया यत्स्वधया सुपर्णो हव्यं भरन्मनवे देवजुष्टम् ||
- " Before all birds be ranked this bird, O Maruts; supreme of falcons, be this fleet-winged Shyena, because, strong-pinioned, with no chariot to bear him, he brought to Manu the god-loved oblation (Soma)." – (Rigveda IV.26.4)
Rishi Vamadeva refers to Shyena as the suparna which brings soma, the favorite oblation of the gods.[3] In the Rigveda, this term is also used to denote a horse.[4]
Shyena, along with Ketu Agneya and Vatsa, is one of the sons of Agni, who are all rishis.[5]
Shyena denotes the Atman, to it belongs the power of realizing the Sole Reality.[6]
Shyena is referred to as a malevolent sacrifice (yajna) conducted with the intention of causing harm to others.[7]
At the commencement of the Kurukshetra War which lasted for eighteen days, the Pandavas, being aware that Bhishma stood protected by the "makara vyuha" and was ready for battle, they had adopted the invincible "shyena vyuha" with Bhima leading stationed at the mouth and Arjuna stationed at the neck of the bird-shaped vyuha, and Yudhishthira patrolling the rear.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Robert Cox (November 1997). The Pillar of Celestial Fire. 1st World Publishing. p. 143. ISBN 9781887472302.
- ^ Roshan Dalal (18 April 2014). Hinduism. Penguin. p. 132. ISBN 9788184752779.
- ^ Roshan Dalal (15 April 2014). The Vedas. Penguin. p. 511. ISBN 9788184757637.
- ^ A. J. Karandikar (1978). Vedic Astronomy & Mythology. Translated by S. S. Apte. Gokul Masik Prakashan. p. 101.
- ^ Shrikant Prasoon (3 September 2009). Rishis and Rishikas. Pustak Mahal. p. 120. ISBN 978-8122310726.
- ^ The Hymns of the Sama Veda Sanhita. Dharma Deva Martanda. 1967. p. 454.
- ^ Deepak Sarma (2011). Classical Indian Philosophy. Columbia University Press. p. 200. ISBN 9780231133999.
- ^ Mahabharata Vol.5. Penguin U.K. June 2015. p. 288. ISBN 9788184756814.