Notes - Grandma O, Woody and The Grandview Inn / pride / Grandma 13 completed

         Mid-morning. You had breakfast and read the paper not looking forward to sometime next month when the Cincinnati Enquirer will be cut and spliced into a tabloid like the Columbus "Star" when you were growing up.

         Grandma Orndorff used to read the "Star" religiously because she was into the horses, trotters in particular and into the national entertainers who would dot the area periodically. She especially liked the singers and jazz artists because she became personally acquainted with many who graced The Grandview Inn in the fifties and sixties. Mike Fleish ran the restaurant and Wilhelmina (Bookman) Orndorff was head chef. The Grandview Inn was well known for its entertainment and steaks, which were as good as any that I have tasted in my life. They were lean but juicier and with more fat flavor in those days. The green beans and corn, etc. were served with real butter. The drinks were never watered down. If they had had slot machines one would think sheorhe might be in Vegas in those days.

         This was memory tribute to Grandma Orndorff and her professional life. Rather out of the blue, don't you think? - Amorella

         It is a memory of how it was on the upper southwest side of old Columbus in those days. I am glad I was a part of it. I'm sure Woody Hayes would remember those Saturday nights. There was more to the world than the Saturday afternoon Big Ten Conference football game. I saw my share of those also.  These days I like to reflect on the joy of early growth. Why look back on anything else?

         Post. - Amorella

         When Carol arrived home you were doing your exercises, which you just completed. You also did the exercises yesterday but forgot to post. It makes you feel better when you have a record of it. - Amorella

          No doubt I have an obsessive-compulsive disorder along with a smattering of other disorders. I remember Dr. Paul Payne telling me that there is a broad range of normal among human beings, but many of those who needed to see a psychologist or psychiatrist never show up. I have never really bothered much about normalcy ever since. People might say, "Get a life, orndorff" but I have one and am presently enjoying it very much.

         Today we will complete Grandma 13 and move on. - Amorella

         Not right this minute though, I'm ready for a quick nap. Carol left the car out which means there are things to get done today. It is dreary out and damp. I don't know which is worse. Dampness is not a good well card to send to arthritic joints though, that I know positively well. I think we are about to leave for the grocery. I need to change from my sweats. (1103)

         1110 hours. This shows my ability to forecast the future. Carol decided to read the morning paper first (and wait on the mail in case there are bills to pay) before we head off for an errand or two. I changed anyway. And, I need to check my email for the first time today.

         Relax with a Sanskrit chant. One of the reasons you enjoy them is that the language is as ancient as it is. You bond with the human voice no matter what age the score was created in. It is the same with listening to Gaelic and Latin voices in music. I am not in any way offended by your humanity. In the back of your mind while viewing Hindu chants you are concerned with the concept of G---D. In these books and blog perfection is not expected or desired, boy. This is a given many choose to ignore or to glamorize and take advantage of. Self-love and pride, boy. Nothing has changed on that score.  Post. - Amorella

         1147 hours. I am having troubles posting this, Amorella.

         I am not chastising. Besides, your having troubles posting, accurately describes what I am talking about. -- See, that brought a smile. Post. - Amorella

        You had a good extra long lunch at Panera/Chipotle, talking partly about your trip West in April. You and Carol did have a 'rest' before lunch and she began reading the April, Consumer's Report automobile issue before you could get your hands on it. Also, while 'nap/resting' you listened to the Sanskrit chants and the 'swaying only happened a couple of times and not long enough for the 'experience'.

        

         1441 hours. I am finding that if the chant is actually sung, that is, there is a word story to the chant the lower eye muscle 'swaying' happens, but if it is the "Om" chanted no 'swaying', but it is relaxing in its pace. Yesterday as I listened to the chants I watched the video presentations also. Interesting the visual images would flood my mind's eye during some later chanting. -- I want to be 'in the spirit' of the Sanskrit chant when I complete the rest of Grandma 13. I really feel I was 'into it' when writing the 365 word draft. I am glad for that personal authenticity (subjective but meaningful to myself)

         You are thinking, "Ten Thousand Names for God" and wonder how your GemNest of Ten fits in this particular spiritual dimension. - Amorella

         I am but I didn't want to bring it up because it makes me feel uncomfortable.

         It is in your present nature to feel the discomfort and you have it for good reason. - Amorella

         I wonder if in the ancient stories the cardinal directions were considered as a personification of a god or goddess that all these manifestations in a variety of world religions, angels for example, are 'splinterings' of G---D at least as far as the books are concerned. Perhaps it really doesn't come up, but it might with "The Brothers" or "Diplomatic Pouch" segments.

         You and Carol are home, the groceries are put away and it's time for personal relaxation. Jadah has made her way up on your lap looking out the bedroom window and having her back and belly scratched from time to time. You both worry about how Jadah and Ellie will be when you are not home for about three weeks.  - Amorella

        

         Carol called you down to watch an older "White Collar" and now she is watching the local news before seeing one of her unwatched programs. As for the personifications and manifestations it is not going to come up, as it would make you too uncomfortable. Besides, we can work around most anything, boy. - Amorella

         1715 hours. I'm glad you didn't say, "We can work around anything."

         Even in a fiction one can't work around everything, it's a known rule. - Amorella

         That has an ominous tone to it.

         1816 hours and I have completed Grandma 13. Yesterday I would not have thought the beginning, nor today would I have thought the ending until now.

         This is an acceptable story, boy. Add and post. - Amorella

         First I need two or four lines of poetry from Grandma. (1822)

         Consider this after supper and some relaxation. Then we will post. - Amorella

         2150 hours. I am not so sure about the last two lines; they are interpretative but seem to fit. The total words are 801.

         The last two lines are ambiguous. Lord Shiva is known for his ambiguity. This will do. Add and post. - Amorella

***

Grandma's Story 13 © 2001-2013 rho, draft

I have a little story for you, noted Grandma. This narrative takes place in a narrow area of India in the sixth century. Thar stands tall along the upper Krishna River in the Maharashtra state in the Western Ghats mountain range. The eight hundred mile river flows east to west across India to the Bay of Bengal. To the far north is the Indian desert of Sahara-like sand dunes. To the Krishna River’s far southwest coast of India in the present day Kerala state are coastal semi-evergreen forests. This limited area of the subcontinent has the Indian Ocean to its west and the high Western Ghats Mountain to its east.

Thin Thar and his still beautiful full-bodied, long black haired partner, Malabar sit eating some fruit on a large ash gray boulder on the south shoreline of the Krishna. Behind them about three hundred feet is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has long been destroyed but it has a near twin still standing and in use in the state of Bihar, the Mundeshwari Devi Temple. Both towered temples were built for the worship of Lord Shiva in the early first century. A younger couple, Goa and Comorin, come out of the entrance to the small temple and see the backs of the older couple lounging on the rock.

An ever so slight wind, a seeming inconsequential breeze with a flit of bliss, accompanies Goa and Comorin on their now judicious walk to see their friends and to innocently ask how it is that Thar and Malabar long ago had come to be married and to live in such peace with one another.

         Thar rose and stood loincloth naked while Malabar sat. In solemn tone he declared as he had many times in the years before, "There will be great floods from these mountains to our north."

         With her feet dangling in the cool water and turning her head slightly to her left and up to see her husband's eyes looking down, Malabar grumbled, “There are always floods, Thar," then with a twinkle in her eye, added, "And droughts too; nevertheless, we cannot wade across the Krishna without getting our feet wet."

         Thar turned his head having observed Goa and Comorin within a few feet of the rock.

         "Hello," said Comorin energetically, "We thought we saw you from the Temple." She paused as Malabar turned their way. "What's wrong," she blurted, "Thar stands while you sit?"

         Malabar did not bother to stand. It was easier to look up at the three of them. "Thar is the problem," she stated matter-of-factly, "He wants to wade across the great Krishna without getting his feet wet."

         "You need a blessing from Lord Shiva," declared Goa earnestly, "to wade the Krishna without getting wet feet."

         Attaching to the immediate humor of the moment, and to the quick twinkling exchange between husband and wife, Thar replied, "What blessing would that be, my young friend Goa, so that I may wade and not have to take a boat across to keep dry?"

         Perplexed by the sudden question Goa ran his mind through the moments of meditation they had just spent in the Temple. Goa lowered his eyes and confessing, "Only as a soul can you be liberated from the physical, Thar; thus being alive you will have to take a boat across the river."

         Malabar smiled warmly at her two young friends, "That is just what I told him, Goa. Thank you for clarifying this for me." She touched her husband left leg in friendly jest and continued, "See, Thar," she looked knowingly as any woman in her position would, "What would I do if you waded across and I was left here alone?"

         Thar stood tall and scratched his head, he looked seriously at their two young friends and then down at his wife, "Come, Malabar" he said gently, "please stand so we four might stand together as two couples." He paused as he helped her up. The four witnessed a sudden and unannounced meeting of common human spirit.

         Thar immediately realized the four were standing together in the cardinal directions unaware. "We will soon be the North and South winds and in time you two will be the East and West. Lord Shiva speaks in such a heartfelt meeting as ours and as such the four of us beyond ashes and smoke will dance over the Earth and not a one of us will retire with either wet feet or dry soles."

         Old Grandma Earth smiled; nodded her head and quipped, "Not everything in the world is as loose or as tight as it seems." She continued in a calm,

"Transcend, transcend, a beginning, a middle and an end

While talking to a thousand, to a couple, or to a single friend."

***

Notes - passion sublime / how Amorella works / intro to Grandma 13 / research

        Mid-morning. You are ready for a nap due to interrupted sleep last night cause by cat commotions, i.e. playing chase at odd hours . . . on and off the bed during chasing . . . both of them.

         0853 hours. Sometimes we are body warm furniture, other times just furniture. It is a very dreary morning and easy to get in a nap mood anyway. For two nights now I have gone to sleep listening to a locally flavored radio station in Sri Lanka. I like to listen to Sanskrit chants. -- Right now I am listening to Annapoorna Stotram on Youtube:

         You listened to about a half hour of chants, boy and your mind interacted with the artwork and scenery shown. To be without desire is not to be without passion sublime. Post. - Amorella

         1109 hours. I am out of the bath and just performed an experiment. While sitting in the tub up to my neck with warm water I listened (with eyes shut and shades down) first to: 'Annaspoorna Stotram' by Shravan K. Manyam and then to: 'hey govind hey gopal' by Sumit Jain. Within a few seconds of notes of 'hey govind hey gopal' my lower eye muscles, the ones Amorella connect to me without using the washer and string, swayed with the music on their own accord. What an unexpected surprise. This lasted 3 to 5 seconds several times and I tried to focus my mind on a specific image but to no avail; however, when I focused: 'my mind is blank like an erased blackboard' the rhythm returned. I could keep this for up to 5 seconds or so then it would stop because I lost the focus. (1117)

         When we talk . . . 

         The music turned off. I had it on to check the names of the songs. It stopped after "When we talk . . .". A coincidence I am sure, but certainly a timely one because understood (flowing into consciousness) were the words 'turn the music off'.

         This is indeed what you witnessed. This was not a coincidence boy. No need for me, the Amorella, to go on when the words rose up in your head. You would have stopped the music but it suddenly stopped on its own. - Amorella

         Hit Grey's Anatomy so we can take care of this (one more time). - Amorella

        

         It is the extraocular muscle in each eye that loops the eyeball up, down and around, two of the cardinal directions. The muscles develop along the fatty tissue of the eye socket (orbit). The rocking motion (like the light side by side rocking of a canoe) involuntarily began and kept with the rhythm of the music for up to five and perhaps seven seconds then it would involuntarily stop. (1143)

         The 'rocking' motion is used in book two Running Through Chapter Nine, "Pouch Text". this was my reflection after the motion stopped the first time and before it started again. The Soki is speaking: (The reference is in the 'knowing' between good and evil, so it is different in focus but the rocking motion is there.)

** **

The Saki is speaking to the Reader:

Imagine you are on a platform in the middle of a large body of sand. The sand appears to be floating, but that is not the case. You can sense the rocking motion. At least, I the Soki can; a gentle rocking like being rocked in a crib. It is very pleasant is it not? Think of your favorite color. And,

you are stable again. This is the Platform you have to be on to sense this circumstance in your head. The rocking motion is Salt and Pepper, not really, of course, but it will have to do here. Salt represents Good in this story and Pepper represents Evil. This is a marsupialese story not an earthbound one. This is the way they are taught the story when they are young, so I am forwarding it to you in the same manner.

We are on a Platform continually rocked back and forth in a very gentle manner, that is what the children imagine as they sit rocking back and forth for fun. The teacher then says, ‘you are on the Fulcrum of the Balance of Good and Evil. It is a calming effect. You can almost sense the rippling water nearby as you sit in a quiet boat.’

It is a simple devise, a technique. You can be there in a moment when you want to relax. Now, you have to want to relax in the first place, really relax. Otherwise, you will be caught up in the whirlwinds around you. The reason, according to the marsupial tradition, is because when you get too caught up in something you become out of balance, and you either try too hard to be good or fight being bad to the point you torture your mind with indecision and torment. You can come out of the relaxation with a blink of mind.

            The reason we are on the Platform is to get a closer sense of Salt and Pepper as stabilizers, as the keel of a sailboat if will. Salt and Pepper keep the universe upright and on course to wherever it is heading. Only Godofamily knows where, according to this marsupial narrative. We are the boat with the visible and invisible universes, if you will, and everyone knows we are on the move. This is the marsupial myth.

From: Orndorff, Richard H., Running Through, Chapter 9, "Pouch Text".

** **

         It is as orndorff says. He was tired of the string and washer exercises with the alphabet put in a circle and the string and washer would direct to the individual letter. It was slow and cumbersome so I upped it a notch. He felt more comfortable with the understanding that we could communicate in secret with at least a "Yes", "No"  or "I don't know." In those early days he didn't really believe it nor did he need to. The automaticity kicked in. From there he gained more confidence and the automaticity went to his fingers and the keyboard where it is to this day. Post. - Amorella

         This material on the string and washer can be found in earlier unpublished notes.

         1344 hours. I found more information on the extraocular muscle.

** **

Muscle Description

Muscular tissue is the basic tissue characterized by the ability to contract upon stimulation. Muscular tissues are vascularized tissues chiefly composed of elongated cells that are excitable and contractile, and usually arranged in parallel. In the body, there are three types of muscular tissue: skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle.

Smooth Muscle Description

Smooth muscle is composed of sheets or bundles of relatively short, spindle-shaped cells, in a staggered array. Smooth muscle cells are not striated, and have a single central nucleus. In some smooth muscle, the cells are interconnected by gap junctions.

In cross section, smooth muscle cells are circular. Diameters of cross-sectional profiles differ; the largest profiles display a central nucleus.

Smooth muscle (How it works)

Smooth muscle contraction is involuntary. Physiologically, smooth muscle is often described as being either multi-unit or unitary. In multi-unit smooth muscle, such as the muscles in the iris, the cells are not interconnected by gap junctions. These cells are individually controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

In unitary smooth muscle, the cells are interconnected by gap junctions. Contraction of unitary smooth muscle, for example, in the walls of the intestines, is often described as slow and rhythmic. The rate and force of contraction are modulated by the autonomic nervous system and hormones.

Excitation of smooth muscle cells, either by autonomic nerve fibers or through gap junctions, causes extracellular calcium ions to enter the cytosol. Calmodulin binds calcium ions and activates myosin light-chain kinase, which phosphorylates a myosin light chain, unmasking myosin's actin-binding site.

From: http://wiki.medpedia.com/Muscular_Tissue

** **

        You have more circumstantial evidence how I,  the Amorella, work within your physical system. Good for you. Post.

        You had been working, then napping to more Sanskrit chants, and working again. Now you have 365 words, one for each day of the year. Let's drop it in to show your progress. - Amorella

        

         1629 hours. Within the hour we are, once again on a Wednesday, going to supper at the Brazenhead Pub. I am feeling much better about this attempt at Grandma 13.

***

Grandma 13 (a drafting in progress)

I have a little story for you, noted Grandma. This narrative takes place in a narrow area of India in the sixth century. Thar stands tall along the upper Krishna River in the Maharashtra state in the Western Ghats mountain range. The eight hundred mile river flows east to west across India to the Bay of Bengal. To the far north is the Indian desert of Sahara-like sand dunes. To the Krishna River’s far southwest coast of India in the present day Kerala state are coastal semi-evergreen forests. This limited area of the subcontinent has the Indian Ocean to its west and the high Western Ghats Mountain to its east.

Gangly Thar and his still beautiful full-bodied, long black haired partner, Malabar sit eating some fruit on a large ash gray boulder on the south shoreline of the Krishna. Behind them about three hundred feet is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has long been destroyed but it has a near twin still standing and in use in the state of Bihar, the Mundeshwari Devi Temple. Both towered temples were built for the worship of Lord Shiva in the early first century. A younger couple, Goa and Comorin, come out of the entrance to the small temple and see the backs of the older couple lounging on the rock.

An ever so slight wind, a seeming inconsequential breeze with a flit of bliss, accompanies Goa and Comorin on their now judicious walk to see their friends and to innocently ask how it is that Thar and Malabar long ago had come to be married and to live in such peace with one another.

         Thar rose and stood loincloth naked while Malabar sat. In solemn tone he declared as he had many times in the years before, "There will be great floods from these mountains to our north."

         With her feet dangling in the cool water and turning her head slightly to her left and up to see her husband's eyes looking down, Malabar grumbled, “There are always floods, Thar," then with a twinkle in her eye, added, "And droughts too; nevertheless, we cannot wade across the Krishna without getting our feet wet." - 365 w

***

         I wonder what it is that is going on within heartansoulanmind when the smooth lower extraocular muscle below the eyes slowly sways as it did again while I listened to more Sanskrit Chants on YouTube? They rocked gently to the chant and for longer duration, perhaps up to fifteen or so seconds at a time before ebbing, then after a short time swayed again several more times. The feeling was so refreshingly relaxing that I describe the feeling as the opposite of intense. (1642) - rho

         Later, my young man. Post. - Amorella

         1930 hours. We had a great supper at Brazenhead Irish Pub. We like the food and the pub atmosphere, especially on dreary mid-week evenings.

        

         You asked your friends on Facebook about the Sanskrit chants and the involuntary swaying motion. Most have been fun responses which you more or less expected. - Amorella

         True, but there is always a chance someone else will have this happen too. Why not? Anyway, the only thing to do is ask. They are 'friends' after all.

         Carol is washing her hair because she and her friends have breakfast at First Watch tomorrow. Let's go back to your earlier question:

*** ***

         I wonder what it is that is going on within heartansoulanmind when the smooth lower extraocular muscle below the eyes slowly sways as it did again while I listened to more Sanskrit Chants on YouTube?

*** *** ***

         While settling in on the chant, before you actually began the involuntary movement, there was no empty blackboard thought like earlier when you were attempting to consciously induce the slowly swaying movement. It happened unexpectedly with the movement beginning at bottom center and moving to the left then back to the right. The total muscular distance from left to right and right to left is less than one/eighth (maybe one/sixteenth) of an inch but it feels like about a quarter inch to your conscious self during the full movement from left to right or right to left -- it is as if the top of your brain is a metronome and you have two small pendulums swinging below it. The length of the pendulum 'wires' is about five inches from brain top to the extraocular muscle sensations of movement. These sensations are produces by the oculomotor (superior and inferior branched) nerves within the specific area; at least this is how I read it in 'wiki/Extraocular_muscles'.

         Now, more to the point, what is going on within heartansoulanmind (the part of your brain/mind where the fingertips touch the keyboard) while your extraocular muscles are involuntarily swaying with the chant?

         Note: You think of all this description as a subjective response while I think of it as an objective response. - Amorella

         The rhythm is unconscious but the sensation is as plain as day. The movement causes the sensation of not thinking, thus the brain is relaxed. This is analogous to 'sound masking'.

** **

Sound masking is the addition of natural or artificial sound (such as white noise or pink noise) into an environment to cover up unwanted sound by using auditory masking. This is in contrast to the technique of active noise control. Sound masking reduces or eliminates awareness of pre-existing sounds in a given area and can make a work environment more comfortable, while creating speech privacy so workers can better concentrate and be more productive. Sound masking can also be used in the outdoors to restore a more natural ambient environment.

Sound masking can be explained by analogy with light. Imagine a dark room where someone is turning a flashlight on and off. The light is very obvious and distracting. Now imagine that the room lights are turned on. The flashlight is still being turned on and off, but is no longer noticeable because it has been "masked". Sound masking is a similar process of covering a distracting sound with a more soothing or less intrusive sound.

From: Wikipedia - sound masking

** **

         When the swaying stops, instantaneous thought appears to recovers and the brain/mind is again 'busy'. It is always busy because while you are alive that is its primary function, to keep you alive and conscious. This swaying is an involuntary conditional and thus, existential. - Amorella (2011)

*** *** ***

         (2152) Carol wanted to watch a couple of shows, last night's "NCIS" and "Body of Proof". I somewhat forget what we were doing.

         We are done for the night, boy. Post. - Amorella

         This was fun today, more like real research. I am so glad I have kept all my notes -- 25 years worth of notes. Once I complete these three books I can go back and put them all on a disk. That should take me to my inevitable conclusion. Otherwise I have to think of something else to do until then. When older Owen and Brennan can do with the notes what they want. (2200)

Notes - creating the new setting for Grandma 13

Every six months or so

Off to the dentist we go

         0942 hours. Jadah the Cat is sitting on my lap as I type. Her tail is setting on the top of my left hand while she 'kneads the top of my right forearm. What a special cat she is too us. Presently Ellie the Cat is elsewhere. Ellie is special too of course but she is the Paik family cat first. We are concerned on how it will be leaving the two in the house for an extended period of time in April. Tim and Amy I'm sure will be in from time to time and in everyday for a feeding and a cat litter cleaning. We plan to leave a radio on for the human voice. Any human voice will do as will any human feeder and cleaner-upper. We leave shortly.

         Shortly after noon. You were helping Carol with cleaning the living room, moving chairs, etc. She is still at it. - Amorella

         I will dust after she is done. I wanted to work on Grandma 13; the time the temples were built might help. I could put the setting near an old temple. The photos of the area are interesting. Google Earth does only a minimal coverage in that area. Google lists postal points and some small towns. Some were destroyed when a dam rose across the river. It is a local tourist area presently. (1226)

         You found something on Temples. Go ahead and add. It is time for lunch. Later, Dude

** **

Places and temples

The first holy place on the river Krishna is "Dakshin Kashi Wai", known for the Mahaganpati Mandir and Kashivishweshwar temple. It has seven ghats along the river. Temples like Dattadeva temple, which is revered by the people of Maharashtra, is located on the banks of Krishna at Narasoba Waadi and Audumber near Sangli. Also, Sangameshwar Shiva Temple at Haripur and Ramling Temple are located on the banks of river Krishna near Sangli.

Popular pilgrim spots like Audumber and Narsobawadi are located on the banks of river Krishna near Sangli in Maharashtra state. Kudalasangama is located near Bagalkot, in Karnataka which is an Aikya linga of Basaveshwara. Srisailam, one of the twelve jyotirlingas, has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva. Sangameswra Swamy temple (seen only during summer) is situated near Atmakur. . . .

There are many popular temples on Krishna River. Wai is an ancient city located on this holy river. . . . The other places along the banks of this river are Satara City, Karad, Sangli, etc.

Edited from: Wikipedia - Krishna_River #Places_and_temples

** **

Krishna River at Audumber

 Varaha Cave Temple, 7th c.

About Varaha Cave Temple

Varaha Cave Temple is a monolithic rock-cut temple with a mandapam. This cave dates back to 7th century and is constructed on the rocky walls of the granite hill. On the walls of mandapam, Lord Vishnu as Varaha along with the boar, holding Bhudevi, the earth goddess in his arms, is sculptured beautifully.

On the inner wall is the shrine of Goddess Gajalakshmi, seated on a large lotus with elephants showering water on her from both sides. There is another sculpture of Goddess Durga with four arms and Trivikrama overcoming demon king Bali. These artistic Pallava sculptures depict the contrast in mood and style.

From: holidayiq: Varaha - Cave - Temple

** **

         Late afternoon. At Carol's suggestion you had lunch in the heart of Blue Ash along Kenwood Road Marx Bagels. You split two hot bagels, one, with tuna salad (mixed in carrot strips and celery pieces) on wheat, and the other a raisin cinnamon with a generous helping of delicious honey walnut cream cheese plastered between the slices. - Amorella

        

         1633 hours. Good description, Amorella. This is one of our all time favorite Koshered lunches.

         You want to create an ancient Hindu temple for the story and adapt the above photos for the setting. You may but I suggest you add one more photo that you saw online during your research. - Amorella

Mundeshwari Devi Temple

The Mundeshwari Devi Temple (also spelled as Mundesvari) is located at Kaura in Kaimur district in the state of Bihar, India on the Mundeshwari Hills. It is an ancient temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Shakti and is considered one of the oldest Hindu temples in Bihar. It is also considered as the 'oldest functional' temple of world.

The inscription of an information plaque erected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the site indicates the dating of the temple to 108 AD. However, there are other versions for the dating stating the Saka era, prior to Gupta dynasty rule (320 AD) in India, and specifically to 105 AD according to the Administrator of the Bihar Religious Trust Board. The temple, a protected monument under ASI since 1915, is substantially damaged and is under restoration.

Architecture

The temple, built of stone, is on an octagonal plan, which is rare. It is the earliest specimen of the Nagara style of temple architecture in Bihar. There are doors or windows on four sides and small niches for the reception of statues in the remaining four walls. The temple shikhara or tower has been destroyed. However, a roof has been built, as part of renovation work. The interior walls have niches and bold mouldings, which are carved with vase and foliage designs. At the entrance to the temple, the doorjambs are seen with carved images of Dvarapaias Ganga, Yamuna and many other idols. The main deities in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple are of the Devi Mundeshwari and Chaturmukh (four faced) Shiva linga. There are also two stone vessels of unusual design. Even though the Shiva linga is installed in the centre of the sanctum, the main presiding deity is Devi Mundeshwari deified inside a niche, which is seen with ten hands holding symbols riding a buffalo, attributed to Mahishasuramardini. The temple also has idols of other popular gods such as Ganesha, Surya and Vishnu. A substantial part of this 7th-century stone structure has been damaged, and many stone fragments are seen strewn around the temple. However, under the jurisdiction of ASI, it has been the subject of archaeological study for quite some time.

Edited from Wikipedia

** **

         Clean this up then post. We will use this temple but not by name and place it on the Krishna River in the seventh century, about the same time as the life of Merlyn. - Amorella

         1716 hours. I am going to take a break for now. Happy to see this is coming along. Today and last night's research has been really interesting. I did not know these places and temples. I remember the translations of the Vedas. I did self-study the Hindu religion early on as I was interested in the early folklore and history and comparative religion in general.

         2114 hours. The last of Alta's turkey soup for supper as we watched last night's "Castle" then on to the recent Valentine-themed "CSI-NY" as well as "NBC News".  It is time for a major re-write of Grandma 13. Lord Shiva also has to have a focus, perhaps a stroke of irony.

** **

Shiva

Etymology and other names

The Sanskrit word Shiva is an adjective meaning "pure and destroyer". As a proper name it means "The Auspicious [successful] One", used as a name for Rudra. In simple English transliteration it is written either as Shiva or Siva. The adjective śiva, meaning "auspicious", is used as an attributive epithet not particularly of Rudra, but of several other Vedic deities.

The Sanskrit word śaiva means "relating to the god Shiva", and this term is the Sanskrit name both for one of the principal sects of Hinduism and for a member of that sect. It is used as an adjective to characterize certain beliefs and practices, such as Shaivism.

Adi Sankara, in his interpretation of the name Shiva, the 27th and 600th name of Vishnu sahasranama, the thousand names of Vishnu interprets Shiva to have multiple meanings: "The Pure One", or "the One who is not affected by three Gunas of Prakiti of (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas)" or "the One who purifies everyone by the very utterance of His name." Swami Chinmayananda, in his translation of Vishnu sahasranama, further elaborates on that verse: Shiva means "the One who is eternally pure" or "the One who can never have any contamination of the imperfection of Rajas and Tamas". Shiva is considered to be the Hindu God who has no Aadi or Anta, i.e. no beginning/end.

[According to Gavin Flood, "Shiva is a god of ambiguity and paradox," whose attributes include opposing themes.]

Edited from Wikipedia

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         We have a story created from the focus above. Tomorrow we will get it written. Post. - Amorella

         2212 hours. This should be fun. For the mindset I should to brush up on the Vedas also.