On a Harappa tablet Mohini serves nectar to Agni

Number 1

These are two sides of a tablet found in Harappa, an archaeological site in Pakistan.
"The city is believed to have had as many as 23,500 residents and occupied about
150 hectares with clay sculptured houses at its greatest extent during the Mature
Harappan phase (26001900 BC), which is considered large for its time."
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harappa

The small scenes as well as the characters depicted on these two sides may indicate
the activities of Mohini, Shiva and Parvati in spring, summer and autumn.
To recognize Mohini we first have to look at the next bronze statuette found in
Mohenjo-daro.

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 Number 1

In my previous paper I argued that this statuette depicts Mohini the female avatar of
Vishnu. She may be depicted on the tablet too.
See: https://www.academia.edu/8072527/The_so_called_Indus_Dancing_Girl_represents_Mohini_the_female_avatar_of_Vishnu

I think that the person standing on the left looks similar

to the statuette: they both hold their right hand on their hip and they both hold a ladle
in their left hand.
In the myth "The Churning of the ocean for Nectar" Mohini acquires the pot of
Amrita from thieving asuras, and gives it back to the devas, helping them retain their
immortality:"
"Mohini is the only female avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. She is portrayed as an
enchantress, who maddens lovers, sometimes leading them to their doom. Mohini is
introduced into the Hindu mythology in the narrative epic of the Mahabharata. Here, she
appears as a form of Vishnu, acquires the pot of Amrita (an elixir of immortality) from
thieving asuras (demons), and gives it back to the devas (gods), helping them retain their
immortality."
Published: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohini

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 In front of Mohini sits the fire-god Agni whose hair is flame:
1 "The pleasant Priest is come into the synod, true, skilled in sacrifice, most wise, Ordainer.
Agni, the Son of Strength, whose car is lightning, whose hair is flame, hath shown on earth
his lustre."
Rig Veda hymn number 3-14, called Agni.

He is lacking in lustre, his form being adversely affected by wind and dust:
36. "The fire-god is lacking in lustre, his form being adversely affected by wind and dust.
The spaces of quarters are not bright and the sky is not clear."
Brahmanda Purana Maha-Shasta part 4
Manifestation of Mohini chapter 10 p. 1067
Translated and annotated by Dr. G.V. Tagare

But by means of her ladle Mohini serves the nectar to

him:
18. "In her beautiful left hand that resembled a lotus, the pot of nectar shone brilliantly. At
the outset, she served the nectar in the row of the Devas by means of her ladle."
Brahmanda Purana Maha-Shasta part 4
Manifestation of Mohini chapter 10 p. 1067
Translated and annotated by Dr. G.V. Tagare

This nectar may be similar to Bhang, an edible preparation of cannabis.

Bhang is harvested and prepared in March or in April:
"The traditional harvest and preparation of bhang occurs during the celebrations of Holi
in March and Vaisakhi in April, hence associated with Lord Shiva. It has now become
synonymous with Holi, to the point where consuming bhang at that time is standard
practice."
Bhang, Frederic P. Miller, Agnes F. Vandome, McBrewster John

It is distributed during some Hindu festivals like Holi, Janmashtami, Shivratri:

"Bhang is an edible preparation of cannabis. Traditionally it has been used in food and
drink for centuries dating far back as 2000 BCE in the Indian subcontinent. Bhang in India
and Nepal is distributed during some Hindu festivals like Holi, Janmashtami, Shivratri,
and consuming bhang at such occasions is common."
Published: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhang

Mohini may serve the nectar in the row of the Devas in the same periods.

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After Vishnu deceives the demons by his maya female form, Shiva wishes to see the
bewildering Mohini again. When Vishnu agrees and reveals his Mohini form, Shiva
runs crazily behind Mohini, "bereft of shame and robbed by her of good sense," Shiva
is overcome by love:
"In the Bhagavata Purana, after Vishnu deceives the demons by his maya female form,
Shiva wishes to see the bewildering Mohini again. When Vishnu agrees and reveals his
Mohini form, Shiva runs crazily behind Mohini, "bereft of shame and robbed by her of
good sense," while the abandoned wife Parvati (Uma) looks on. Shiva is overcome by
Kma (love and desire or Kamadeva, the god of love and desire).
Published: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohini#Relationship_with_Shiva

Number 2

On the other side of this tablet two tigers stand face to face, rearing on their hind
legs.
On several Indus seals Mohini is represented by a tiger, so here one of the two tigers
may represent her as well. Shiva, completely under the influence of the god of Love,
may imitate her and may look like a tiger too.
Shaking him off repeatedly, Mohini too ran far away;
73." Shiva caught her somehow and embraced her frequently. Shaking him off repeatedly,
she too ran far away.
74. Seizing her once again, Isha who was completely under the influence of the god of
Love embraced her impetuously and his semen dropped down then.
75. Mahashasta, the lord of great strength, was born therefrom. He was capable of
dispelling the arrogance of many crores of leading Daityas.
76. Due to the contact with the drops of that semen, O suppressor of Vindhya mountain, the
earth assumed the colour of silver and gold instantly at different places."
Brahmanda Purana Maha-Shasta part 4
Manifestation of Mohini chapter 10 p. 1067
Translated and annotated by Dr. G.V. Tagare

"Shiva embraced Mohini impetuously and his semen dropped down then."

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 This dropping of the semen is symbolized by this figure carrying two water-
skins: his opened water-skin draw him downwards, saturate both the earth and
Heaven with fatness:
"Thunder and roar: the germ of life deposit. Fly round us on thy chariot water
laden. Thine opened water-skin draw with thee downward, and let the
hollows and the heights be level. Lift up the mighty vessel, pour down water,
and let the liberated streams rush forward. Saturate both the earth and
Heaven with fatness,"
Rig Veda hymn 5-83; Parjanya

Shiva is associated with the rainy season:

"Shiva is also associated with the rainy season, as the monsoon rains transform the ground
from dessert into fertile valley."
Published: http://www.thebuddhagarden.com/shiva-hindu-god-destruction.html

http://en.allmetsat.com/climate/pakistan-afghanistan.php?code=41624

And this table shows that in places like Dera Ismail Khan a significant amount of rain
falls in March whereas the heavy monsoon rains fall in July and August.

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 Together Mohini and Agni indicate Krittika. Agni is
the deity of this nakshtra and the sun (Mohini) is its ruling planet. At the time this
tablet was made the sun passed Krittika in the beginning of March:
Krittika the Star of Fire.
Range: 2640' Aries 1000' Taurus
Symbol: axe, razor, blade, knife, flame, peacock
Deity: Karttikeya, Agni (God of fire)
Mode of Functioning: Active
Caste: priestly or brahminical
Gender: Female
Body parts: hips, loins and the crown of the head
Humor (Ayurvedic Constitution): Kapha
Direction: the arc covering the directions from east, south-east to south
Guna (Essence): Rajas
Tattwa (Element): Earth
Gana (Type): Rakshasa (demonic)
Orientation: Downward
Disposition: Mixed (alternates between sharp and soft)
Ruling Planet: Sun
Sounds: A, Ee, Oo, Ay
Animal symbol: Sheep or Goat
Primary Motivation: Kama
Enemy: Vishakha
Published: en.vedicencyclopedia.org/wiki/Nakshatra

For further understanding of this tablet we just have to know that in Sanskrit Sirius is
known as Mrgavyadha "deer hunter", representing Rudra (Shiva):
"In Sanskrit it is known as Mrgavyadha "deer hunter", or Lubdhaka "hunter". As
Mrgavyadha, the star represents Rudra (Shiva)."
Published: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius

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 In the beginning of March Sirius is the evening star and that is why "Shiva
(Sirius) runs crazily behind Mohini (the sun)" and he does not inseminate Mohini
very well but his semen dropped down then and the earth assumed the colour of silver
and gold instantly at different places."
73." Shiva caught her somehow and embraced her frequently. Shaking him off repeatedly,
she too ran far away.
74. Seizing her once again, Isha who was completely under the influence of the god of Love
embraced her impetuously and his semen dropped down then.
75. Mahashasta, the lord of great strength, was born therefrom. He was capable of
dispelling the arrogance of many crores of leading Daityas.
76. Due to the contact with the drops of that semen, O suppressor of Vindhya mountain, the
earth assumed the colour of silver and gold instantly at different places."
Brahmanda Purana Maha-Shasta part 4
Manifestation of Mohini chapter 10 p. 1067
Translated and annotated by Dr. G.V. Tagare

At the end of March Mohini passed Rohini.

In Rohini Lord Rudra (Shiva) shoots an arrow through Prajapati (Orion) for
pursuing of his own daughter, the beautiful roe Rohini, our Aldebaran.
"One of the first major Gods of creation is Prajapati, is also the constellation Orion.
Prajapati Brahma felt love towards his own creation daughter Rohini some say the dawn,
having become a stag he approached her in the form of doe. The Gods saw him a deed
unknown Prajapati now does, they sought someone to punish him, they could not find
anyone among them to do this, .They enlisted the God of storms and thunder, so they
brought their most terrible forms together in one being To him (Rudra) the gods said the
Prajapti has done a deed unknown so pierce him.
Lord Rudra, to shoot an arrow thru the stag. Sirius, one of the brightest stars in the sky,
shots the arrow.
Having aim at him he pierced him, being pierced he flew upwards him they call the deer
( mriga), the piercer of the deer is called deer hunter, hunter means a Vyadha in Sanskrit
called Mrigavyadha the female deer is Rohini, the three pointed stars is the constellation of
Orion belt. Rohini is the constellation at the end of Taurus marked by red giant star
Aldebaran
The piercer of the deer ( mrigavyadha) is the Vedic god Rudra, its is the name in Vedic
astronomy for the star Sirius."
Published: http://omthathwamasi.blogspot.nl/p/story-of-star-sirius.html

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 This trident of course represents the three-jointed arrow and it indicates the
shooting of Rudra at the end of March.
"In the Hindu Brahmanas Orion is personified as Praja-pati, [Allen notes: He was also, and
differently, represented in the sky by Hindu astronomers as an immense figure stretching
from Bootes through Virgo, Corvus, and Libra into Scorpio] under the form of a stag,
Mriga, in pursuit of his own daughter, the beautiful roe Rohini, our Aldebaran. In his
unnatural chase he was transfixed by the {Page 310} three-jointed arrow the Belt
stars shot by the avenging Hunter, Sirius, which even now is seen sticking in his body.
This hero was the father of twenty-seven daughters, the wives of King Soma, the Moon, with
whom the latter equally divided his time, thus referring to the nakshatras."
Published: http://www.constellationsofwords.com/Constellations/Orion.html

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 Number 3

Now we are able to understand this seal. Nowadays the zebu is the mount of Shiva,
but in the Indus Culture it represents Shiva himself.
In the beginning of March Shiva/Sirius is the evening star, but from the end of March
Shiva/Sirius and Mohini rise and set at around the same time. This conjunction lasts
until the beginning of June. This appears to be a very important period in the Indus
Culture, just like in Egypt:
Egyptians based their calendar on the heliacal rising of Sirius, namely the day it becomes
visible just before sunrise after moving far enough away from the glare of the Sun. This
occurred just before the annual flooding of the Nile and the summer solstice, after a 70-day
absence from the skies. Sirius was identified with the great goddess Isis, while the 70-day
period symbolized the passing of Isis and Osiris through the duat (Egyptian underworld).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius

The five characters on top indicate Mohini passing five spring nakshatras:
In the beginning of March Mohini passes Krittika, and the man carrying water-
skins depicts Shiva who tries to inseminate Mohini. However in March he still
is the evening star and unfortunately his "germ" falls on the earth.
The first trident indicates Mohini passing Rohini at the end of March. Now
Rohini and Shiva start to move in conjunction through the sky.
The second trident indicates Mohini passing Mrigashrsha in April: Mohini is
in conjunct with Shiva.
The third trident indicates Mohini passing Ardra some later in April: Mohini
still is in conjunct with Shiva.
And the fourth trident indicates Mohini passing Punarvasu in the beginning of
May. For the last time Mohini is in conjunct with Shiva.

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 In April Mohini, in conjunction with Shiva, passes Mrigashrsha. The deity of
this Nakshatra is Parvatu who is represented by this Yoni character which looks like
the next sculpture:

Number 4

"Yoni (IAST: yoni; Sanskrit: "womb", "uterus", "vagina", "vulva", "abode", or "source") is
a stylized representation of female genitalia representing the goddess Shakti in Hinduism.
Within Shaivism, the sect dedicated to the god Shiva, the yoni symbolizes his consort."
Published: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoni

Once again, the sun passed Mrigashrsha in April and the deity of this nakshatra was
Parvati, who was symbolized by the Yoni:
5; 3 Mrigashrsha, Sanskrit Name: Translation of Name: The head of the Deer.
Range: 23 20' Taurus 6 40' Gemini
Symbol: deer, pot full of Soma
Deity: Chandra, Parvati
Mode of Functioning: Passive
Tattwa (Element): Earth
Published: en.vedicencyclopedia.org/wiki/Nakshatra

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 In April Mohini, still in conjunction with Shiva, passed Ardra ("the moist
one.")
This U-character indicates this nakshatra. The element of Andra is water. The small
stripe in the middle symbolizes that Shiva inseminates Ardra and causes the rising of
the water in the rivers in spring.

The U-character is depicted on many seals. It symbolizes insemination in the first

place: the four elements: light, heat, air and water unite with the fifth element: the
womb, the valley or the earth.
The U-sign is more or less similar to the U form of the belt of some goddess
sculptures which emphasizes her womb.
Mohini passed Ardra in April and the element of this nakshatra is water:
6; 4 Ardra "the moist one" "the Star of Sorrow" Betelgeuse
Range: 640' 2000' Gemini
Symbol: Diamond, Teardrop
Deity: Rudra
Mode of Functioning: Balanced
Caste: Butcher
Gender: Female
Body parts: the Eyes and the Back and Front of the Head
Humor (Ayurvedic Constitution): Vata
Direction: southwest, west and north
Guna (Essence): Tamas
Tattwa (Element): Water
Published: en.vedicencyclopedia.org/wiki/Nakshatra

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 In July/August Vishnu passed Uttara Phalgun. This nakshatra was
symbolized by a bed. At that time it indicated the end of June or the beginning of July.
12 Uttara Phalgun
"second reddish one" Denebola
Lord: Surya (Sun)
Symbol: Four legs of bed, hammock
Deity : Aryaman, god of patronage and favours
Indian zodiac: 2640' Simha- 10 Kanya
Western zodiac 2240' Virgo - 6 Libra
Leo constellation map.png
Published: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakshatra

In July and August Shiva/Sirius is the morning star again only rising and setting with
the nakshatra of Parvati and not any longer with the sun god Vishnu/Mohini.
And thus late July to early August a Teey festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati,
commemorating her union with Lord Shiva:
"Teej is celebrated in Nepal It falls on the third day after the new moon of the
Shraawana or Sraawan month of Hindu calendar in late July to early August. Dedicated
to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva, the festival is
celebrated for sexual bliss, well-being of spouse and children and purification of own
body and soul. The festival is a three-day-long celebration that combines sumptuous feasts
as well as rigid fasting Rajasthan
Teej is the festival of swings. It marks the advent of the monsoon month of Shravan
(August). The monsoon rains fall on the parched land and the pleasing scent of the wet soil
rises into the air. Swings are hung from trees and women dressed in green clothes sing
songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess
Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is worshipped by
seekers of conjugal bliss and happiness."
Publised: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teej

Because of the commemorating of the union of Lord Shiva with Parvati heavy
monsoon rains fall down in July and August as shown on a table from Dera Ismail
Khan:

http://en.allmetsat.com/climate/pakistan-afghanistan.php?code=41624

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 This character symbolizes "pregnancy." It is old and widespread symbol
which is found in the Indus valley, in Egypt, the Ancient Near East and in Europe.
(See below.)
It indicates that Parvati is pregnant because of her union with Lord Shiva in
June/July.
Then in August-September she gives birth to Ganesha. Every year his birthday is
remembered by the Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrated in August-September:
"The Ganesh Chaturthi festival remembers Ganesha's birthday, and celebrates him as the
god of good beginnings, prosperity and obstacle remover. It is celebrated in Bhadrapada
(AugustSeptember), 2017 date: Friday, 25 August, 2018 date: Thursday, 13 September."
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesh_Chaturthi

As we saw just now that in March Shiva inseminated Mohini. And

this scene depicts the result: about nine months later Vishnu/Mohini gives birth to a
child when he/she passes the constellation Makara in November.
Being born in Makara this child gets the shape of a crocodile:
Number Sanskrit Name Western/Greek Name Tattva (Element)
10 Makara "sea-monster" Capricorn Prithivi (Earth)
Published: http://dictionnaire.sensagent.leparisien.fr/Zodiacal%20sign/en-en/

All in all we see that the above tablet indicates the activities of Mohini, Shiva and
Parvati when passing spring, summer, and autumn nakshatras and constellations.

About the pregnancy character

This character symbolizes "pregnancy" or to be more precise: "the end of the

pregnancy period." It is old and widespread symbol which is found in the Indus
valley, in Egypt, in the Ancient Near East as well as in Europe.

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 Number 5

In a cave of the Trois Freres (ca. 13,000 BC) in the south of France more than 80
pregnancy characters are depicted on a horse.

Number 6

In The Stone Age Hunters G. Clack gives an overview of signs from French cave
art. These signs are interpreted as female symbols. The pregnancy character is one
of them.

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 Number 7

This is a shen an ancient Egypt symbol. "By its association with the sun it was a
source of life:"
The shen, from the Egyptian word for encircle, go around, referring to the course of the
sun around the world, was a symbol in the form a ring, Sn, dating to the Old Kingdom at
least and stood for protection by encirclement.
Concerning the shen-ring which is his (possibly referring to Geb) symbol of rank
Text from the library of the Sobek Temple at Tebtynis
The ring was made of rope, the ends of which were knotted or tied together, forming a
circle. Circular shapes, being endless, symbolized completeness and infinity in ancient
Egypt. Thus at times the sun was depicted encircled by a shen, probably referring to the
eternity of creation. By its association with the sun it was a source of life
Published: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shen_ring

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 Number 8

On this imprint of a Isin-Larsa cylinder seal a pregnancy character is depicted

between two warriors.

Venus of Monpazier (ca. 30.000 B.C.)

All and all, the so called: ball and rod sceptre is frequently depicted in many caves
and on many seals etc. It looks similar to the Venus of Monpazier and may symbolize
pregnancy.

Tom van Bakel

Sint Pancras
Nederland
Email: tom.vanbakel@xs4all.nl

The Rig Veda hymns are quoted from: "The Hymns of the Rig Veda, Translated by
Ralph T. H. Griffith, 2nd edition, Kotagiri (Nilgiri) 1896"

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Number 1
Tablet number H-180 (649, NMI 32) is in the collection of the National Museum of India. It
was found in Harappa and Marshall published it (I. tab 12, No.12, Fig 111.)
Published: plus.google.com/photos/109878381697929222636/albums/5521654986070004913?
banner=pwa&authkey=CNbI2L_4yMmnXA

Number 2
Dancing Girl is a bronze statuette dating around 2500 BC.
Place of Origin: Mohenjodaro
Materials: Bronze
Dimensions: 10.5 x 5 x 2.5 cm.
Acc. No. 5721/195
The statue is displayed at National Museum, New Delhi
published:http://www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/prodCollections.asp?pid=44&id=1&lk=dp1

Number 3
Indus Script Cipher 3/3
Published: https://sites.google.com/site/kalyan97/epigraphica-sarasvati

Number 4
Yoni
Published: ariesaksono.wordpress.com

Number 5
Painting in a cave of the Trois Freres in the south of France.
Publshed: Alfabet, hieroglief en pictogram page 53 by Andrew Robinson

Number 6
The Stone Age Hunters by G. Clack.
Number 7
This is Egypt Shen Clasp (Tell el-Daba from ca. 16481540 B.C.)
Published; http://metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/100002606?rpp=20&pg=1&ao=on&ft=*&where=Tanis&what=Gold&pos=11 Accession Number: 68.136.23

Number 8
British Museum number: 89826
Description: Dark green serpentine cylinder seal; a kilted priest with cup and pail, the
suppliant goddess and the robed king with one hand raised, face the ascending sun god who
holds his knife vertically and rests his foot on a trapezoidal mountain beneath a crescent
moon. Behind him a small nude figure with a crested cap or hair holds a cup (?) in one
hand below a lion-scimitar; in the field before the goddess are a pot above a ball-and-staff.
Line border round the bottom of the seal; the ends of the perforation are concave.
Culture/period: Isin-Larsa
Materials: serpentine
Technique: perforated
Dimensions: Length: 2.55 centimetres, Diameter: 1.35 centimetres

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