Vidya Achar

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According to one estimate, 90 percent of Indian recruits were illiterate on joining the forces.
History and Theory (Part III) - Soldiers of Empire
Race hate was war generated
History and Theory (Part III) - Soldiers of Empire
“information” programs to counter Japanese and Indian nationalist propaganda, supplying the discourse of race war.
History and Theory (Part III) - Soldiers of Empire
Before the war, many Indian officers, like other colonized elites, saw Japan as a model to emulate
History and Theory (Part III) - Soldiers of Empire
“We in the West want to fix it if we’re sad,” she said. “We fear sadness. It’s something to get over, medicate. In Bhutan there’s an acceptance. It’s a part of life.”
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
If you know you’ll get another shot at life, you’re less likely to fear the end of this particular one. As Buddhists say, you shouldn’t fear dying any more than you fear discarding old clothes.
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
Ritual provides a container for grief, and in Bhutan that container is large and communal.
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
Think the unthinkable, the thing that scares you to think about several times a day.
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
death is a psychologically threatening fact, but when people contemplate it, apparently the automatic system begins to search for happy thoughts”.
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
In Bhutanese culture, one is expected to think about death five times a day.
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
Gross National Happiness
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
We have to be ready for the moment we cease to exist.”
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
this fear of dying before we have accomplished what we want or seen our children grow. This is what is troubling you.”
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
“You need to think about death for five minutes every day,” Ura replied. “It will cure you.”
Bhutan’s dark secret to happiness
For such military purposes it mattered little that the cultural artifacts and practices in question were constructed, even invented, in the course of the colonial encounter between Britain and India
Colonial Soldiers (Part I) - Soldiers of Empire
The army was imbricated with ethnicity in ways that fostered esprit de corps, but which could also be put to use by Indian soldiers to negotiate conditions of service or organize resistance.
Colonial Soldiers (Part I) - Soldiers of Empire
Sikh soldiers were made to be Sikh-like in certain ways, over and over again, in the school that was the army.
Colonial Soldiers (Part I) - Soldiers of Empire
ALPA's pilots have previously said the current pay rates at U.S. rival Delta Air Lines are up to 45 per cent higher than the Canadian carrier's hourly pay rates.
Air Canada could begin suspending flights next weekend as strike deadline nears | CBC News
Air Canada's pilots have been pushing to close their salary gap with their higher-earning U.S. peers, who achieved lucrative labour deals in 2023 amid pilot shortages and robust travel demand
Air Canada could begin suspending flights next weekend as strike deadline nears | CBC News
The union and the airline had entered into a three-week cooling-off period, which is mandated by Canadian law, on Aug. 27.
Air Canada could begin suspending flights next weekend as strike deadline nears | CBC News
At 98 per cent, the pilots overwhelmingly voted in favour of the job action last month.
Air Canada could begin suspending flights next weekend as strike deadline nears | CBC News
What power is there, O Sanjaya, in our life, when we have caused our father of mighty energy, that foremost of righteous men in the world, to be slain? Like a person desirous of crossing p. 34 the sea when he beholds the boat sunk in fathomless waters, alas, my sons, I ween, are bitterly weeping from grief on Bhishma's death. My heart, O Sanjaya, is surely made of adamant, for it rendeth not even after hearing the death of Bhishma, that tiger among men.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section XIV
O Sanjaya, how could the Pandavas succeed even in p. 33 striking Bhishma who was like Parameshti himself, that Lord and creator of all creatures?
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section XIV
Like unto a mighty cloud of high altitude, having the twang of his bowstring for its roar, his arrows for its rain-drops, and the sound of his bow for its thunder, that hero showering his shafts on Kunti's sons with the Panchalas and the Srinjayas on their side, smote hostile car-warriors like the slayer of Vala smiting the Danavas.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section XIV
When all the Pandavas placing Sikhandin in their van advanced against Bhishma, did not all the Kurus, 1 O Sanjaya, stay by the side of that hero of unfading prowess?
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section XIV
How could Bhishma who was reckoned as an Atiratha and who could not be resisted by the very gods, be slain in battle by Sikhandin, the prince of Panchala?
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section XIV
Ganga, incapable of being supported by even the mountains, was held for a hundred thousand years by the bearer of Pinaka p. 15 on his head.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section VI
Men endeavour to ascertain their proportions by exercising their reason. Those matters, however, that are inconceivable, should never be sought to be solved by reason. That which is above (human) nature is an indication of the inconceivable.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section V
'O great king, all things in the universe, in consequence of the presence (in them) of the five elements, have been said to be equal by the wise. These elements, are space, air, fire, water, and earth. Their (respective) attributes are sound, touch, vision, taste, and scent. Every one of these elements possesses (in addition to what is especially its own) the attribute or attributes of that or those coming before it.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section V
The Earth is the stay and refuge of all creatures, and the Earth is eternal. He that hath the Earth, hath the entire universe with its mobile and immobile population. It is for this that longing for (the possession of the) Earth, kings slay one another.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section IV
Tell me all these, O Sanjaya, Many thousands, many millions, many tens of millions, many hundreds of millions, heroic men have come together at Kurujangala. I desire to hear, O Sanjaya, with accurate details, about the situation and dimensions of those countries and cities from which they have come.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section IV
Encyclopaedia Brittanica mentions a state called ‘Covasna’ in Hungary/Romania in olden times and Balikh around 2300 BC in old Mesopotamia. Their similarity to Govasan and Bahlik mentioned in Mahabharath is interesting.
countries in MB
Bhisma died in 2050 B. C
uc davis-kurukshetra
According to our ancient astrologers (as cited by Dr. Mahidhara Nalini Mohan, National Physical Laboratory), Kali Yuga started in 3138 B. C. and the Great Mahabhaarata War was fought in 3102 B. C. This is almost the same as that quoted by Dr. Veda Vyasa, IAS.
uc davis-kurukshetra
The Mahabharata War’s total casualties probably wouldn’t have been surpassed until around 100 A.D. during the Three Kingdoms Era of China. Infighting and rebellion against the Han dynasty is estimated to cause the death of a staggering 10 million people. Later medieval-era revolutions in China also had large death tolls, but all of these conflict occurred over the course of years, while the Mahabharata’s war casualties were all within 18 days!
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
we get our final numbers of fighting men as: 4,674,000 A massive number, not even counting the hundreds of thousands of charioteers, medics, elephant riders, etc!
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
This would made the total fighting men as 3,361,800, nearly three times are much as the Pandava force!
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
On the Pandava side, we found a total of 6 complete akshauhinis. 6 * 218,700 = 1,312,200 fighting soldiers! And 1,574,640 total men, counting charioteers.
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
The Yavanas were the Greeks, and the Shakas were the Scythians of Central Asia.
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
Narayani Sena: Duryodhana and Arjuna both approached Krishna to take their side in the war. Krishna gave the choice of himself as a charioteer or his entire Yadava army. Arjuna chose to have the weaponless Krishna, while Duryodhana chose the Yadava army (known as the Narayani Sena). To lead this army, Duryodhana first approached Balarama, who decided to remain neutral. Thus, he then approached Hardikya Kritavarma, who agreed to lead the army. (Udyoga Parva Chapter 7 and 19)
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
Meanwhile, the Chinas are the tribes from China, most likely Tibet rather than China proper.
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
an akshauhini actually has 262,440 men
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
an akshauhini consists of a total of 218,700 soldiers.
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
During the Mahabharata, the entirety of Bharatvarsha sent its might and men to the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Nearly every kingdom and tribe, from modern-day Iran to Myanmar, participated in the war. Only a few kingdoms stayed neutral and out of the war.
How Many People Fought in the Mahabharata War
Incapable of being restrained, they are, indeed, smiting one another for increasing the population of Yama's domain. Desirous of prosperity connected with the possession p. 11 of earth they are incapable of bearing one another.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section IV
Victory is uncertain. It depends on chance. Even they that become victorious have to sustain loss.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section III
success which is won by negotiation and other means is the very best. That which is achieved by producing disunion (among the foe) is indifferent. While that success, O king, which is won by battle, is the worst.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section III
Beholding soldiers struck with fear and flying, the panic spreads in other directions, and soon, O king, the whole army is broken and flies in all directions. And when an army is routed, even brave leaders, O king, at the head of large divisions consisting of the four kinds of forces, are incapable of rallying them.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section III
Whether the army be small or large, cheerfulness, as an attribute of the combatants, is said to be a certain indication of victory. One soldier, struck with panic, can cause even a large army to take fright and fly.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section III
the indications of future success.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva: Section III