Re: REQUEST : MUKTAPHALA SIGNIFICANCE

Posted By Santanu Mitra (tonu@gate.net)
Mon, 17 Mar 1997 01:46:34 +0800

Stephen R. Berlant wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> i was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the origins and/or
> significance of objects called MUKTAPHALA, such as those sculpted at the
> Temple of Somanathpur in Mysore.
>
> My thanks in advance.
>
> Stephen R. Berlant
>
> --
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Mail posts to: ghen@netcom.com : http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/

Hi Stephen,

Believe some claim muktaphala to be an imaginary fruit/grain in
Sanskrit, as depicted in the temple carvings, while there are others who
think it represents a food grain such as maize.

Recently there has been quite an energetic debate between
paleoanthropologists on this very issue. Maize is supposed to have
originated in the Americas. If the temple carving is indeed maize, then
that could prove existence of trade between Asia and the Americas in
pre-columbian era, raising another angle on who might have discovered
the Americas.

I guess someone will eventually search out for datable fossilised grains
or pollen or something like that in India and provide us with either
scientific proof or absence of proof on this issue.

Is that why you asked the question ?

Tony Mitra
Advertise with us!
This site is part of Dharma Universe LLC websites.
Copyrighted 2009-2015, Dharma Universe.