--lists Eight Nidhi of Padmini with presiding divinity Lakṣmī (Ch. 68)
As i have endeavoured to trace the nava-nidhi and Padmini, 'eight treasures or magical arts' in ancient Hindu traditions, I came across an astonishing evidence from a text in Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa (Chapter 68, Padmini).
This chapter 68 describes the eight magical arts which are wealth-giving products worked on by artisans. This list of eight magical arts include a wealth-yielding object called sattva.
Surprise!
Sattva is an Indus Script hieroglyph, 'svastika' rendered rebus as sattu, sattuvu, 'pewter, zinc'.
With this decipherment, this monograph posits that the roots of all nava-nidhis of Kubera are traceable to Indus Script Corpora, using, in some cases, synonyms of the underlying expressions used in Meluhha, Indian sprachbund 'speech union'. For example, the expressions which replace Samskrtam words kacchapa 'turtle, tortoise' and padma 'lotus' are: kamaṭha and tāmarasa, tāmra
Eight Nidhi named Padmini, which brings all objects of desire, are explained in Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa (Chapter 68). The objects listed as Padmini, knowledge of special wealth-producing arts, are also listed in the nava-nidhi, list of 9 treasures of Kubera. The list of eight nidhi-s or objects detailed in Padmini cluster includes a remarkable nidhi called sattva. I have demonstrated that sattva signifies 'svastika' hieroglyph rendered rebus as sattva, sattuva, sattu 'pewter, zinc'. Thus, the eight Nidhi-s of Padmini and nine nidhi-s of Kubera are metalwork wealth-generation objects produced or handled as cargo by ancient artisans/merchants.
Sattva does not appear in the nava-nidhi list of nine Kubera's treasures and appears only in the list of precious, wealth-giving objects clustered as Padmini.
Since the text, Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa is in Samskrtam, it uses synonyms for the words kamatha 'turtle, tortoise' and tamarasa 'lotus'; the synonyms in Saskrtam used in Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa are: kacchapa and padma, respectively.
Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa clearly states that mahāpadma is a synonym of sattva. I suggest that this word sattuva, sattu signifies 'zinc mineral ore'. The hieroglyph used to signify this rebus Meluhha rendering is: svastika on Indus Script seals and inscriptions.
Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa (Chapter 68, Padmini) also provides insights linking a nidhi called Nīla with indigo dye worked on by artisans of Sarasvati (Indus) Civilization. This ancient text links the possessor of Nīla, 'indigo dye' with clothes merchant of the civilization.
Excerpts from: Manmatha Nath Dutt, Rector, Keshub Academy, 1896, Markandeya Purana -- Prose English Translation,, Calcutta, HC Dass, Elysium Press, pages 288 to 29:
Nava nidhi of Kubera are:
1. padma one of the 8 treasures connected with the magical art called पद्मिनी MBh. Hariv. &c; one of the 9 treasures of कुबेर (also personified) R. A synonym is indicated in: “Padma… possessor…He gets gold and silver and copper and all other metals, in very large quantities, and also trades in them.”(Manmatha Nath Dutt, Rector, Keshub Academy, 1896, Markandeya Purana -- Prose English Translation,, Calcutta, HC Dass, Elysium Press,(Chapter 68, 23, p.289). The synonym is : tāmarasá n. ʻ red lotus ʼ MBh., ʻ copper ʼ lex. [Cf.
Bi. tamheṛī ʻ round copper vessel ʼ; -- tamheṛā ʻ brassfounder ʼ der. *tamheṛ ʻ copper pot ʼ or < next?
2. mahāpadma m. (with जैनs) N. of a partic. treasure inhabited by a नाग; m. N. of a नाग dwelling in the महा-पद्म treasure mentioned above Hariv. VP. &c; m. name of one of the 8 treasure connected with the पद्मिनी magical art मार्कण्डेय-पुराण. 68, 13-16; n. N. of a city on the right bank of the Ganges MBh. According to Markandeya Purana , a synonym is satva. “…Nidhi, the receptacle of the great Satwa, spoken of as Mahapadma…”(Manmatha Nath Dutt, Rector, Keshub Academy, 1896, Markandeya Purana -- Prose English Translation,, Calcutta, HC Dass, Elysium Press, p.289). sattva 'svastika hieeroglyph' rebus: sattu, 'pewter', satuvu 'pewter, zinc'.
3. makara, mākara 'composite animal' dhmākara 'bellows blower (Smelter), blacksmith'. The results of the work in a smelter are described as: “Makara…possessor…He gains arrows, swords, swords, double-edged swords, bows and shields, prepare binding instruents (Paashas) and attains friendship with kings.””(Manmatha Nath Dutt, Rector, Keshub Academy, 1896, Markandeya Purana -- Prose English Translation,, Calcutta, HC Dass, Elysium Press,(Chapter 68, 18,-19 4 p.289).
5. kacchapa 'a turtle , tortoise' कमठ m. ( Un2. i , 102) a tortoise BhP. Pan5cat. &c kammaṭa 'mint, coiner, coinage'. I suggest that this synonym is referenced (as a mint, a place of various building, business activities) in: “” kacchapa…possessor…He performs works of various kinds shorn of righteousness, and builds all sorts of palaces for business…”(Manmatha Nath Dutt, Rector, Keshub Academy, 1896, Markandeya Purana -- Prose English Translation,, Calcutta, HC Dass, Elysium Press,(Chapter 68, 234 p.289).
6.mukunda kunda 'a turner's lathe, one of कुबेर's nine treasures'. A reference to metallic wires of ferrous oxide used for the tympanum of mrdanga and for iron wires is suggested: “Mukunda…possessor..He gets Vina, flute, Mrdanga, etc., the four kinds of musical instruments, and settles pensions on singers and gives (money) to dancers…”(Manmatha Nath Dutt, Rector, Keshub Academy, 1896, Markandeya Purana -- Prose English Translation,, Calcutta, HC Dass, Elysium Press,(Chapter 68, 15-26, p.290).
8. nīla m. the sapphire L. (with मणि R. iii , 58 , 26) indranīla m. ʻ sapphire ʼ Kālid. [
9. kharva mfn. (cf. /अ- , त्रि-) mutilated , crippled , injured , imperfect TS. ii , 5 , 1 , 7; dwarfish; karba 'iron'
పద్మ, మహాపద్మ, శంఖ, మకర, కచ్ఛప, ముకుంద, కుంద, నీల, వర
Padmalānchana 'Kubera, sun, Brahma'
मकर one of the 8 magical treasures called पद्मिनी which is a partic. magical art (मार्कण्डेय-पुराण)
Ashtamangala Groupings of eight auspicious symbols were originally used in India at ceremonies such as an investiture or coronation of a king. An early grouping of symbols included: throne, swastika, handprint, hooked knot, vase of jewels, water libation flask, pair of fishes, lidded bowl.
The Hindu tradition lists them as:
Group 1
lion
bull
elephant
water-jar
fan
flag
trumpet
lamp
Group 2
Here is the sequential order of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Nepali Buddhism:
- Endless knot
- Lotus flower
- Dhvaja
- Dharmachakra (fly-whisk in Nepali Buddhism)
- Bumpa
- Golden Fish
- Parasol
- Conch
The sequential order for Chinese Buddhism was defined[10] in the Qing dynasty as:
- Dharmachakra
- Conch
- Dhvaja
- Parasol
- Lotus flower
- Bumpa--The bumpa (Standard Tibetan: བུམ་པ་), or pumpa, is a ritual vase with a spout used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals and empowerments.
- Golden Fish
- Endless knot