Krishna is missing in Dasavatara, replaced by Buddha!

Krishna is missing in Dasavatara, replaced by Buddha!

Recently, one of my friends who has been a stamp collector pointed out that in the Dasavatara stamps issued, Krishna is missing. Then when I checked up with newspapers, there have been reports appearing.

Commemorative stamp on Jayadev released[1] : With the Department of Posts releasing the commemorative stamps on Orissa’s 12th century saint-poet Jayadev and his Geet Govind in Orissa, the controversy over the poet’s birth place was laid to rest. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik felt this while addressing the release ceremony at Jayadev Bhawan here on Monday (03-08-2009). The postal department released 11 stamps — one on Jayadev and the rest on the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu (the dasavatara) as described in the Geet Govind. Each stamp worth Rs.5. The event, hosted in Orissa’s State capital, assumes much significance since West Bengal was claimed as the poet’s birth place for long. Researchers in Orissa have already proved that the poet was born here.

SPECIAL OCCASION: Post Master General Yasodhara Menon (left) and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the release of the saint poet Jayadev and Geet Govind memorial postage stamps in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

Sacred service:  The department performed a sacred service to the nation by bringing out stamps on the life and works of one of India’s greatest poets who has major influence on Indian culture, opined Chief Post Master General of Orissa Circle Yasodhara Menon. Among others Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy, Development Commissioner Tarunkanti Mishra, parliamentarian Prasanna Kumar Patsani, Information and Public Relations Minister Prafulla Samal, legislator for Jayadev constituency Arabinda Dhali and I&PR Commissioner R.N.Dash were present on the occasion. An exhibition of photographs of the patta paintings and palm leaf engravings on Geet Govind belonging to 19th century was mounted at the venue by the Orissa State Museum while the State-owned Odissi Research Centre staged an Odissi dance recital on Geet Govind.

Controversy over the birth place of Jayadeva? Adding more fuel to a controversy over Jayadev’s birthplace, the central department of posts today released a commemorative stamp on the 12th Century poet in Bhubaneswar[2]. The origin of the poet has remained controversial with both Orissa and Bengal staking a claim on the man. Oriya scholars claim that Jayadev’s compositions were penned in Puri and that archaeological discoveries establish his extended presence in Orissa. In addition, at Kenduli Sasan village of Orissa Jayadev is worshiped. Meanwhile, Bengali scholars believe that Kendubilva village in Birbhum is the original Kenduli village (where he was born) mentioned by Jayadev. “Today is a proud day for Orissa. The stamp is a clear acknowledgement by the Centre that Jayadev was an Orissa citizen,’’ said chief secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy at the stamp release. In 2007, the Orissa government had sought a stamp on Jayadev to the department of posts, a proposal that took two years to get fulfiled, said a trustee of the Jayadev Foundation, Pradulla Tripathy. Chief post master-general of Orissa Circle Indira Krishnakumar had sent the proposal in January 2007, after successfully releasing a special cover on the poet.

The released stamps have been as follows:

Up to this, the order is OK.

Here, instead of Krishna, Buddha is there.

Of course, Buddha has been there very much in Jayadeva Astapati.

But missing of Krishna is questionable.

Moreover the depiction of Buddha in negative portrayal raises my friend’s doubt of manipulsation.

Here, Buddha is in preahing posture. Two persons with bent-swords ready to cut a goat standing there. One of them has been with tuft pointing that he is Brahmin. Sacred fire is also there, thus, implying for yagnas, goats are sacrificed. This is really miscevous. One of the main reason for its disappearance has been that the Buddhists followed violent methods including eating non-vegetarian food. This only, exposed their preaching of non-violence.

Jayadeva is known for his Krishna bakti and his Astapati has been famous, as it has sung by M. S. Subbulakshmi, Gantashala and others. However, the missing of Krishnavatara has been intriguing. When eleven stamps could be issued including the poet, Jayadeva, one more could have been added for Krishna. But the conspicuous absence proves the role played by the persons behind. My friend points out that the designers have been Marxist oriented and they try to secularize the Indian tradition etc. He pointed out that earlier, Kabirdas stamp was issued with peacock feather adoring his head and a namam on his forehead. But in the later stamp issued, both have been missing. Thus, he says that “Krishnavatara” has been purposely removed.

Moreover, he points out that the “Dasavarata” order has not been followed: Macha-Kurma-Varaha-Narasimha-Vamana-Parasurama-Rama-Balarama-Krishna-Kalki: both in the miniature form and strip form.

Vedaprakash

07-08-2009

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[1] The Hindu, July 28, 2009. For details, see at: http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/28/stories/2009072852830300.htm

[2] The Telegraph, Calcutta dated 28-07-2009: for details, see at:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090728/jsp/nation/story_11288775.jsp