Operation Al Aqsa Flood: Signs and Symbols of the Vedic Apocalypse ~ Part 3.3 ~ The Vedic Symbolism of the Islamic Hajj

“The Well of Zamzam is a lasting miracle.” ArabNews.com

Links to the Full Series

In Part 3 of this series I have been discussing the Islamic and pre-Islamic Hajj or pilgrimage to the Kaaba and its associated rituals as a symbolic enactment of the twelve-month, 360° Vedic sacrifice (yajna) or year which Sri Aurobindo wrote of as a pilgrimage and evolutionary journey by which Man ascends to the “seat and home of the Truth” and grows “into the godhead.” In Part 3.1 I linked the seven circumambulations around the Kaaba to the circular zodiacal-geometry and lore of the seven rivers (sapta sindhu), seven mothers (saptámātṛbhis), seven cows (sapta dhenavaḥ, sapta gāvaḥ, saptagum), or seven oceans (sapta samudra) of the Vedas that deliver the many-named Divine Son-Sage-Hero-God-Lord or God to his many-named birthplace, home, seat, place and victory. In Part 3.2 I linked the thrice-seven stones of Rami al-Jamarat and the Black Stone (al-Ḥajar al-Aswad) of the Kaaba to this same Vedic Victory which is the mythological predecessor, if not the origin, of all post-Vedic conceptions of a world savior, messiah, son, sage, prophet, and his purifying apocalypse, including the Biblical Apocalypse or Revelation. In Parts 3.1-3.2 I discussed the Kaaba—considered by Muslims to be the Earthly equivalent of God’s home in the seventh heaven (Bayt al-Ma’mur)—as an ancient symbol of this many-named zodiacal Vedic victory or goal. In Part 3.3, I am discussing the Zamzam Well as one of the many equivalent ancient names, symbols or characterizations of this sevenfold Vedic victory, which I see as located at 0° Aquarius/Kumbha (0° ) in the tropical zodiacal Vedic year, marking the awakening of the divine truth-consciousness, unity-consciousness, or divine soul in the Human Being. Below is an illustration of the zodiacal geometry that is the key to understanding the original sense and context of this long-occulted symbolism and mythology, as found in Part One of this series. Click HERE for the view from my desk the week I began writing this part of the series, featuring water descending down a rain-chain into a black square pot.

The Zamzam Well – Kumbha of the Pre-Islamic and Islamic Pilgrimage

According to Islamic tradition, by God’s command the Prophet Abraham left his handmaid Hagar and their baby Ishmael in the desert where they soon ran out of water. Hagar ran between the two hills of Safa and Marwa seven times, seeking water. After Hagar completed her seventh lap, a spring burst forth beneath Ishmael's foot or heel. In other versions, after Hagar’s seventh lap, the angel Gabriel appeared and struck the ground causing water to gush forward. As a response to the gushing water, Hagar is said to have cried “Zom! Zom!” meaning “Stop! Stop!” Subsequently, while passing through Mecca (Makkah) the Jurhum migrant tribe is said to have discovered the miraculous spring after seeing birds circling above it. They asked for and received permission from Hagar to settle there. As the story continues, Hagar and Ishmael were integrated into the Jurhum tribe which maintained control over and protected the Zamzam Well until ousted from Mecca by another tribe in the 5th century. The Jurhum are said to have buried the well, to hide it, upon their departure. According to Islamic tradition, it was rediscovered in the 6th century by Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet Muhammad's grandfather. 

In my view, the mythology of the Zamzam Well’s creation is a variation of the Vedic Apocalypse wherein the many-named Infant-Son-Sage-God (Agni, Indra, Varuna, Savitar, etc.) releases the seven rivers from their obstruction, hiding place, or holding container (by whatever name), bringing waters to the desert lands. [Note: All bold emphasis and text in brackets in the quotes throughout this article is added].

“Thou [Indra] in thy vigour having slaughtered Vṛtra didst free the floods arrested by the Dragon. Heaven trembled at the birth of thine effulgence; Earth trembled at the fear of thy displeasure. The stedfast mountains shook in agitation, the waters flowed, and desert spots [dhanvāni] were flooded. Hurling his bolt with might he cleft the mountain, while, putting forth his strength, he showed his vigour. He slaughtered Vṛtra with his bolt, exulting, and, their lord slain, forth flowed the waters swiftly.... Moreover, when thou first wast born, O Indra, thou struckest terror into all the people. Thou, Maghavan, rentest with thy bolt the Dragon who lay against the waterfloods of heaven. – Rig Veda 4.17.1-3; 7, excerpts, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“[Agni] Found in three places, like the [Sky] Speeder's footstep, come to present men's riches as oblations!... Our friends extol him like a steed for vigour even Agni in the dwelling.... [L]ike a rushing flood, loosed quickly...o’er desert places [dhanva].” – Rig Veda 6.12.2; 5, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“[L]et the Stallion's [Agni’s] flood descend in torrents. Come hither with this thunder while thou pourest the waters down, our heavenly Lord and Father. Thunder and roar: the germ of life deposit. Fly round us on thy chariot waterladen. Thine opened water-skin draw with thee downward, and let the hollows and the heights be level. Lift up the mighty vessel [=Kumbha], pour down water, and let the liberated streams rush forward…. When thou, with thunder and with roar, Parjanya [=Rain-God=Agni], smitest sinners down, this universe exults thereat, yea, all that is upon the earth. Thou hast poured down the rain-flood now withhold it. Thou hast made desert places [dhanvāni] fit for travel. Thou hast made herbs to grow for our enjoyment: yea, thou hast won thee praise from living creatures.” – Rig Veda 5.83.7-10, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“(He) whose (course) is sharpest, the spoked wheel (of the sacrifice), the ruler in the wood, like a goad on the (race)course, he has flashed as he grows strong (on the hearths). The immortal one appears like an undisguised reaper in person, (moving) without obstruction…. By our fortifying (hymns), Agni like (a horse) at running is praised in the household, as Jātavedas. He whose food is wood, winning like a steed with its determination, like a father he is to be woken dawn after dawn by sacrifices. Then they marvel at his light when, carving (the trees) at will, he travels along the earth. He who immediately, when unloosened, streams ever faster…straight across the waste places [dhanva]. –Rig Veda 6.12 3-5 excerpts, tr. Jamison & Brereton

In Rig Veda 5.53 and elsewhere the Vedic Seer-Poets lauded various helper gods in the accomplishment of the drought-ending release of the waters of the Kumbha: 

“Munificent Heroes [Marutus=Storm Gods], they have cast heaven's treasury [Kosha=Kumbha] down for the worshipper's behoof: They set the storm-cloud free to stream through both the worlds, and rainfloods flow o’er desert spots [dhanvanā]. The bursting streams in billowy flood have spread abroad, like milch-kine, o’er the firmament. Like swift steeds hasting to their journey's resting-place, to every side run glittering brooks.” – Rig Veda 5.53.6-7, tr. R.T.H. Griffith 

Note that the “desert” in these verses is translated from dhanvan, a variation of Dhanu which is the Sanskrit name of Sagittarius () —the ninth sign of the Zodiac. The word Dhanvan in the commonly understood zodiacal context is the Bow of the Sagittarian Archer. [1] When we understand that the eighth sign Scorpio—a FIXED WATER sign—represents the OBSTRUCTION OF THE WATERS, we can better understand why the sign of the Sagittarian Bow, Archer, Sage, Horse, Horseman (Centaur), etc., is also associated with a Desert, i.e. a place where waters do not flow, until the obstruction is removed and waters are released. The purifying release of the obstructed Vedic waters by the Sagittarian Vedic Son-Sage, Archer, Hero, or Horse shows up in the Greek mythology of Hippocrene—“the fountain of the Horse”---which Sri Aurobindo wrote about in The Secret of the Veda in relation to Saraswati, who is identified as Agni’s seventh mother-river or flood in Rig Veda 7.36.6.

“Saraswati…represents the stream of inspiration that descends from the Truth-consciousness….

“The association of a river with the poetical inspiration occurs also in the Greek mythology; but there the Muses are not conceived of as rivers; they are only connected in a not very intelligible fashion with a particular earthly stream. This stream river Hippocrene, the fountain of the Horse, and to account for its name we have a legend that it sprang from the hoof of the divine horse Pegasus; for he smote the rock with his hoof and the waters of inspiration gushed out where the mountain had been thus smitten….. [In the Vedas] the Ashwa or Horse is an image of the great dynamic force of Life, of the vital and nervous energy, and is constantly coupled with other images that symbolise the consciousness…. The streams of the madhu, the honey, the Soma, are said also to be milked out of [a] Hill or Rock [Adri]. The stroke of the Horse’s hoof on the rock releasing the waters of inspiration would thus become a very obvious psychological image. [There is no] reason to suppose that the old Greeks and Indians were incapable either of such psychological observation or of putting it into the poetical and mystic imagery which was the very body of the ancient Mysteries.” – Sri Aurobindo, The Secret of the Veda, CWSA, Vol. 15, pp. 90-92  

There is likewise no reason to suppose that pre-Islamic Arabia was incapable of conceiving and celebrating its own poetic version or mythology of the release of the eternal waters of the Vedas (or of Pre-Vedic zodiacal gnosis) by the Sagittarian Son, Sage, Horse, God, Lord, or Hero of the 360° Zodiac. 

In Part 3.2 I briefly discussed the equivalence between Hubal—the lord or chief god of the pre-Islamic Kaaba and its 360 idols—and the Sagittarian Hero-Sage-Son-God of the 360° Vedic Year. The Sagittarian Hero-Son and Lord of the 360° Vedic Year was characterized and lauded in hundreds of poetic ways, including as a seven-rayed sage, archer, warrior, and as a rain (or water)-bringer, who was born by three goddesses (=rivers, mothers, sisters, daughters, etc), as well as by seven. Respectively, Hubal was characterized as a seven-arrowed warrior, diviner (=prophet, seer or SAGE), and rain god who was also associated with three goddesses. [Click HERE for an illustration of the zodiacal geometry of the dual seven-and-three measure and victory of the Vedic Hero.] 

“The golden, the Celestial Doors are lifted with their frames on high, by [Agni] Pavamana glorified.... This, [Agni’s] Pavamana's sacrifice, shall the three beauteous Goddesses, Sarasvatī and Bhāratī and Iḷā, Mighty One, attend.... Come to the consecrating rite of Pavamana, all ye Gods…in accord [=in unity].” – Rig Veda 9.5.5, 8 & 11, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“May [Agni], most Godlike, speed our offered viands [=food] with homage God-ward on the path of Order [ṛtasya pathā].... Touch ye the far-extending height of heaven or spring apart to suit the wide earth's measure.... Up stands the stone, high burns the fire enkindled: Aditi's [2] lap [upasthe ≈ kumbha] contains the Friendly Natures.... On our wide grass, Three Goddesses be seated: for you have we prepared and made it pleasant.… [G]rant us the Gods’ assembly, thou who knowest.” – Rig Veda 10.70, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

In Rig Veda 9.90 the Sagittarian hero (and radius) is lauded as the self-purifying god Soma, “Father of the Earth and Heaven,” and “Great Conqueror” who wins or conquers and destroys all misfortunes with his “swift bow.” Note that throughout the Vedas this hero is equally considered a Son and a Father.

“Urged on, the Father of the Earth and Heaven hath gone forth like a car to gather booty, going to Indra, sharpening his weapons, and in his hand containing every treasure.… Steer of the triple height, the Life-bestower.... Great Conqueror, warrior-girt, Lord of all heroes, flow on thy way as he who winneth riches; with sharpened arms, with swift bow, never vanquished in battle, vanquishing in fight the foemen. Giving security, Lord of wide dominion, send us both earth and heaven with all their fulness. Striving to win the Dawns, the light, the waters, and cattle.... Thus like a wise and potent King flow [purified] onward, destroying with thy vigour all misfortunes.” – Rig Veda 9.90, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

It is worth noting that the pre-Islamic statue of Hubal at the Kaaba was described as having a golden hand, said to replace a broken-off hand. Interestingly the solar god Savitar—one of the many names of the Vedic Son-Hero, aka “the Waters’ Son.” was described by the Vedic Rishis as having golden hands and golden arms. So either the narrative of the broken hand is false, or its replacement with a golden hand is a coincidental perfection.

“For my protection I invoke the golden-handed Savitar. He knoweth, as a God, the place. That he may send us succour, praise the Waters’ Offspring Savitar….” – Rig Veda 1.22.5-6 excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

If we recognize the equivalence between Hubal [3] and the Divine Sage-Son-Horse-Lord (etc.) of the Vedic Year, it makes absolutely PERFECT sense that the pre-Islamic Kaaba—a symbol of the Vedic God’s place, home, birth, victory, and goal of his journey—would be constructed next to a pure and abundantly-flowing water source in the midst of a desert, in a land famous for its horses. This precious, consistent, and abundant desert spring would have been a natural resource, destination, and meeting place for people or tribes, near and far, thus making it a perfect symbol of the dwelling place or home of the immortal Lord, God, Sage, Son, Divine Warrior, Horse, and Water-Bringer of the 360° zodiacal Vedic pilgrimage. In Rig Veda 5.45 this place is referred to in many poetic ways, including the place where “doors of men” are thrown open, “the Cow’s stall [pen, stable, or enclosure]…wherewith the wandering merchant gained heaven's water,” “the spring of the (seven) cows” that is “in the loftiest place of meeting,” “the shining ocean,” and the place where the Navagvas (9-rayed) completed “their ten months”. 

“Bards of approaching Dawn who know the heavens are come with hymns to throw the mountain open. The Sun hath risen and oped the stable portals: the doors of men, too, hath the God thrown open. Sūrya hath spread his light as splendour: hither came [Dawn] conscious, from the stable, to streams that flow with biting waves to deserts; and heaven is stablished like a firm-set pillar…. Come, let us carry out, O friends, the purpose wherewith the Mother threw the Cow's stall open, that wherewith Manu conquered Visisipra, wherewith the wandering merchant gained heaven's water. Here, urged by hands, loudly hath rung the press-stone wherewith Navagvas through ten months sang praises…. When at the dawning of this mighty Goddess, Aṅgirases all sang forth with the cattle,—Their spring is in the loftiest place of meeting…. Borne by his Coursers Seven [=Seven Mares=Rivers] may Sūrya visit the field that spreadeth wide for his long journey. Down on the Soma swooped the rapid Falcon. Bright was the young Sage moving mid his cattle [=rivers]. Sūrya hath mounted to the shining ocean [from arṇa=wave, flood, sea, samudra≈kumbha] when he hath yoked his fair-backed Tawny Horses. The wise have drawn him like a ship through water: the floods obedient have descended hither. I lay upon the Floods your hymn, lightwinning, wherewith Navagvas their ten months completed. Through this our hymn may we have Gods to guard us: through this our hymn pass safe beyond affliction.

The Water Jar or Kumbha was ONE of the MANY symbolic names the ancient Vedic Seers gave to this sacred zodiacal place and victory. It was also characterized as a WELL (avata, utsadhi, kha, or kūpa), a tank, reservoir, pool, or lake (samudra, hrada, or saras); a fountain or spring (utsa); and hole or cave (bila). Below are some of the many verses of the Rig Veda that refer to the zodiacal Kumbha as a WELL, the release of which symbolizes the apocalyptic purification of Mankind’s egoic-binary consciousness via the waters of unifying divine eternal truth, law, and wisdom. The release of these purifying “waters” of gnosis are the catalyst for the prophesied “Universal Brotherhood of Man” associated with the sign and age of Aquarius/Kumbha), as well as the prophesied “Heaven on Earth.” These are just two of humanity’s many varied expressions or characterizations of the same zodiacal and evolutionary victory.

“When Tvaṣṭar [the Divine Architect] deft of hand had turned the thunderbolt, golden, with thousand edges, fashioned more skilfully, Indra received it to perform heroic deeds. [The serpent-dragon] Vṛtra he slew, and forced the flood of water forth. [The storm gods] with their vigorous strength pushed the well [avata] up on high, and clove the cloud [parvata = mountain] in twain though it was passing strong…. They drave the cloud [avata = well] transverse directed hitherward, and poured the fountain [utsa] forth for thirsting Gotama [=cow-herder= Agni-Indra].” – Rig Veda 1.85.9-11, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“The Gotamas [cow-hearders] making their prayer with singing have pushed the well's lid [utsadhi] up to drink the water.” – Rig Veda 1.88.4, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“Ye lifted up the well [avata], O ye Nasatyas [=Ashwins], and set the base on high to open downward. Streams flowed for folk of Gotama who thirsted, like rain to bring forth thousandfold abundance. – Rig Veda 1.116.9, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“I will declare the mighty deeds of Viṣnu, of him who measured out the earthly regions, Who propped the highest place of congregation, thrice setting down his footstep, widely striding…. Let the hymn lift itself as strength to Viṣnu, the Bull far-striding, dwelling on the mountains, Him who alone with triple step hath measured this common dwelling-place, long, far extended…. May I attain to that his well-loved mansion where men devoted to the Gods are happy. For there springs, close akin to the Wide-Strider, the well [utsa] of meath in Viṣnu's highest footstep…. For mightily, there, shineth down upon us the widely-striding Bull's sublimest mansion.” – Rig Veda 1.154.3; 5-6, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith 

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“He drave the kine forth and cleft Vala through by prayer, dispelled the darkness and displayed the light of heaven. The well [avata] with mouth of stone that poured a flood of meath, which Brahmapaspati hath opened with his might—All they who see the light have drunk their fill thereat: together they have made the watery fount [utsa] flow forth.... With his swift bow, strung truly, Brahmaṇaspati reaches the mark whate’er it be that he desires. Excellent are the arrows wherewithal he shoots, keen-eyed to look on men and springing from his ear.... The kine [cows=rivers=floods] he drave forth and distributed to heaven, even as a copious flood with strength flows sundry ways.” – Rig Veda 2.24, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“Loosen my offense from me like a halter. We would succeed in reaching the wellspring of your truth [khām ṛtasya] [4], Varuna.” – Rig Veda 2.28.5, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith 

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“The well [utsa] thou clavest, settest free the fountains, and gavest rest to floods that were obstructed. Thou, Indra, laying the great mountain open, slaying the Dānava, didst loose the torrents. The fountain-depths obstructed in their seasons, thou, Thunderer! madest flow, the mountain's udder [≈ kumbha]. Strong Indra, thou by slaying e’en the Dragon that lay extended there hast shown thy vigour.” – Rig Veda 5.32.1-2, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“As ’twere with swift exertion of the spirit, let the priest [Agni] speed to the celestial Waters.... [C]ome with longing to the longing Waters, down on which looks the purple-tinted Eagle. Pour ye that flowing wave this day, deft-handed. Go to the reservoir [samudra ≈ kumbha], O ye Adhvaryus [=Priests of the sacrifice] worship the Waters’ Child with your oblations. A consecrated wave he now will give you, so press for him the Soma rich in sweetness. He who shines bright in floods, unfed with fuel, whom sages worship at their sacrifices: Give waters rich in sweets, Child of the Waters, even those which gave heroic might to Indra…. Send forth to him the meath-rich wave, O Rivers, which is your offspring and a well [utsa] of sweetness, send forth the rapture-giving wave, O Rivers, which Indra drinks, which sets the Twain in motion; the well [utsa] that springeth from the clouds, desirous, that wandereth triple-formed, distilling transport. These winding Streams which with their double current, like cattle-raiders, seek the lower pastures,— Waters which dwell together, thrive together, Queens, Mothers of the world, these, Ṛṣi, honour.... Now to this grass are come the longing Waters: the Pious Ones are seated at our worship.” – Rig Veda, 10.30, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

The Vedic Seers referred to this well, or kumbha by whatever name, as “unfailing” (akṣita) and likewise portrayed the rivers, springs, floods, or waters that flow to, gather at, or are poured out of this hallowed place as eternal, immortal (amrita), inexhaustible, or ceaseless (asaścat).

“All round about hast thou [Agni] with glory pierced for us as ’twere a never-failing well for men to drink,....Thou standest like a Bull the chief amid the herd. In the sheep's wool [=in the filter ≈ in the kumbha] hath Soma Pavamana [=Agni] flowed, while they [the seven rivers] cleanse him, like a playful infant, Indu [=Agni] with hundred powers and hundred currents.... So flow thou on, subduing our assailants, chasing the demons hard to be encountered, well-armed and conquering our foes, O Soma [=Agni].” – Rig Veda 9.110, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“They who like fiery sparks with showers of rain blow through the heaven and earth, milking the spring that never fails [útsaṃ ákṣitam].” – Rig Veda 8.7.16, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“Invoked by the ten (fingers≈months) of the worshipper, Indra has caused the cloud [koṣa = kumbha] to fall from heaven by his three-fold ray.... The three-hued fresh impetuous (blaze) goes swiftly round the sacrifice, the priests anoint it with butter.... They pour out with reverence the inexhaustible cauldron [avata akṣitam], as it goes round circular above and with an opening below....” – Rig Veda 8.72.8-10 [5] excerpts, tr. H.H. Wilson

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“Wake with one mind, my friends, and kindle Agni, ye who are many and who dwell together…. We will pour forth the well that hath a copious stream, fair-flowing well that never fails [avatam...akṣitam]. I pour the water from the well [avata] with pails prepared and goodly straps, unfailing [akṣitam], full, with plenteous stream. Refresh the horses, win the prize before you.... Pour forth the well with stone wheel, wooden buckets, the drink of heroes, with the trough for armour.... [L]et not your pitcher [camasa = kumbha] leak: stay it securely.” – Rig Veda 10.101.1; 5-8, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“O [Agni/Soma] Pavamana, thou didst generate the Sun, and spread the [water] out with power…. [Thou] Deathless God mid mortal men [produced the Sun] for maintenance of Law and lovely Amṛta [=Nectar of Immortality]. Thou evermore hast moved making strength flow to us. All round about hast thou with glory pierced for us as' twere a never-failing well [akṣitam pāna] for men to drink....” – Rig Veda 9.110, 3-5, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

The following verses highlight the central Vedic theme of the immortal Vedic Hero traveling to the goal of his journey which is an immortal dwelling place and meeting place or assembly [synod] of the immortal waters (=rivers, cows, goddesses, etc.) as well as a meeting place of the immortal gods and humanity. At this hallowed place, Agni—the inner seed, soul, will, fire, or “son” of the universal, divine Self—is born “mid mortal men”, establishing the divine consciousness of truth, unity, bliss, and immortality—by whatever name—in humanity. And this is why the sign of Aquarius, aka Kumbha is not only known as the sign of “the MAN" (Manu), or “the Friend" (Mitra), but also as the sign signifying a universalized and united humanity. From this Vedic or pre-Vedic zodiacal and apocalyptic lore—which intentionally veiled its singular meaning and context via an equally compelling and confusing array of multiplicities—comes Mankind’s many-varied ancient mythologies, faiths, hopes, religions, and dogmas featuring a present, past, or future savior (salvator mundi), messiah, prophet, or world guru—by whatever name, including Judaism’s Mashiach, Christianity’s Christ, Islam’s Isa Masih, Zoroastrianism Saoshyant, Buddhism’s Maitreya, Taoist’s Li Hong, Mesoamerica’s Quetzalcoatl, Egypts’s Horus [6], and Hinduism’s Kalki Avatar.

“So flow thou [Soma=Agni] on as bright celestial juice, flow to the vast, immortal dwelling-place. Flow onward, Soma, as a mighty sea [samudra]... Flow on for wisdom, Soma, and for power, as a strong courser bathed, to win the prize.... Fair Indu hath flowed on for rapturous joy, Sage for good fortune in the waters' lap [āpām upasthe ≈ well ≈ kumbha]. He bears the beauteous name of Indra, that wherewith he overcame all demon foes.....With endless genial flow the Strong hath run, purified by the waters….” – Rig Veda 9.109, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“Singers with hymns caress [Vena=Agni] as an infant there where the waters and the sunlight mingle [=meet]. Vena draws up his wave from out the ocean, mist-born, the fair one's back is made apparent, brightly he shone aloft on Order's [=Ritam’s = Truth's =Law’s] summit: the hosts sang glory to their common birthplace. Full many [cows], lowing to their joint-possession, dwelling together stood the Darling's Mothers [seven cows=rivers]. Ascending to the lofty height of Order [ritam], the bands of singers' sip the sweets of Amṛta [=Immortal nectar]. Performing sacrifice they reached the river [sindhu, also ocean ≈ kumbha]: for the Gandharva found the immortal waters [amṛ́tāni nā́ma].” – Rig Veda 10.123, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith 

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“Thou, Agni, wast the earliest Aṅgiras, a Seer; thou wast, a God thyself, the Gods’ auspicious Friend.... O Agni, thou, the best and earliest Aṅgiras, fulfillest as a Sage the holy law of Gods.... Agni thou madest heaven to thunder for mankind.... Thou, Agni, art a Bull who makes our store increase, to be invoked by him who lifts the ladle [sruc ≈ kumbha] up. Well knowing the oblation with the hallowing word, uniting all who live, thou lightenest first our folk. Agni, thou savest in the synod [even him] who walks in evil ways.... For glory, Agni, day by day, thou liftest up the mortal man to highest immortality.... Agni, thou art our Providence, our Father thou: we are thy brethren and thou art our spring of life.” – Rig Veda 1.31.1-10, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

In the Biblical Apocalypse—aka “the Revelation”—, this zodiacal evolutionary purification, uplifting, and redemption of humanity was interpreted and told as the pouring out of the seven vials or “bowls of God’s wrath” after which the Son of God says he will give “water without cost from the spring of the water of life” to the “thirsty”, i.e. to humanity.

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” – Revelation 16:1 (NIV)

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“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ....He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. – Revelation 21: 1-4; 6 (NIV) 

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“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city…. There will be no more night [i.e. Darkness]....” – Revelation 22: 1-5 excerpts (NIV) 

The Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha)

As mentioned in Part 3.2, in addition to “the Well” and “Kumbha”, the MANY names of the singular goal or culmination of the 360° Vedic Sacrifice or journey, include the gods’ banquet or feast (devavītau); the place of sacrifice, and the sacrifice or the (sacrificial) rite. In many Vedic hymns, humans are also said to partake in this divine banquet or feast which is equivalent to the pouring out sharing of the nectar, elixir, wine or bliss-inducing food of immortality (amrita, soma, mead, wine, honey, ghee, milk, etc.) from the Kumbha, Kalasha, or immortal vessel of the Zodiac whatever name. In Aurthurian legend, this Kumbha is the Holy Grail which “various traditions describe…as a cup, dish, or stone with miraculous healing powers, sometimes providing eternal youth or sustenance in infinite abundance.” (Wikipedia)

“[On] to the beaker [kalaśa = kumbha] moves [Agni as] Soma…like a strong car-horse, [he] goes to the assembly. Born in old time as finder-out of treasures, drained with the stone, decking himself in waters, warding off curses…. [T]hou didst flow for Manu [=Man] Life-bestowing, Foe-queller, Comforter, rich in oblations…. Flow onward, Soma, rich in sweets and holy, enrobed in waters on the fleecy summit. Settle in vessels that are full of fatness, as cheering and most gladdening drink for Indra. Pour, hundred-streamed, winner of thousands, mighty at the Gods’ banquet, pour the rain of heaven, while thou with rivers roarest in the beaker [kalaśa = kumbha], and blent with milk prolongest our existence.... Pour booty, like a horse, for love of glory God, Soma, send us kine, and send us Vāyu. [The rivers] deck him at his birth, the lovely Infant…. [A] Sage by wisdom, Soma goes singing through the cleansing filter [≈ kumbha].... With full stream and abundant milk, O Soma, thy beams [=rays=cows≈rivers] come, like a woman, as they cleanse thee. He, gold-hued, rich in boons, brought to the waters, hath roared within the goblet [kalaśa = kumbha] of the pious.” – Rig Veda 9.96, excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“Yea, Indra, with the men, through love of glory consumes the sacred food which friends have offered.” – Rig Veda 1.178.4 excerpt, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“[As] the milch-cow feeds her calf within the stalls, [the storm gods] pour forth food for all oblation-bringing men.” – Rig Veda 2.34.8 excerpt, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

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“Sitting on sacred grass, ye Sons of Bhārata, drink Soma from the Potar's bowl, O Men of heaven.” – Rig Veda 2.36.2 excerpt, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

This Holy Feast of the Vedic Sacrifice, Apocalypse or Revelation is enacted at the culmination of the Islamic Hajj as the “Feast of Sacrifice” (Eid al-Adha), involving the actual ritual sacrifice of an animal. In Islamic tradition, this ritual sacrifice is said to commemorate Abraham’s “willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to a command from God.” Once the obstructing veil of the occulted zodiacal mythology of ancient seer-poets is rent and removed, we can see and understand this Old-Testament-inspired ideology as another one of humanity’s varied and misunderstood accounts of the sacrifice and feast of the Vedic Son. 

In 10.104 this feast or banquet is specifically mentioned in conjunction with the House of Man (mánuṣo duroṇé, manuṣaḥ duroṇe), which, when we have the right keys of understanding, becomes a straightforward reference to the astrological house or sign of Aquarius/Kumbha.

“O Mighty Indra, through thine aid, thy prowess, obtaining life, zealous, and skilled in Order, Men in the house [mánuṣo duroṇé] who share the sacred banquet [sadha-mādyāsaḥ = intoxicating unity] stand singing praise that brings them store of children.... The way to bliss for Gods and man thou foundest, Indra, seven lovely floods, divine, untroubled, wherewith thou, rending forts, didst move the ocean, and nine-and-ninety flowing streams of water. Thou from the curse didst free the mighty Waters, and as their only God didst watch and guard them. O Indra, cherish evermore thy body with those which thou hast won in quelling [the Serpent-Dragon and Obstructor] Vṛtra.” – Rig Veda 10.104.4; 8-9 excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

In Rig Veda 7.70, the “House of Man”—where the sacrificial drink or food has been “heated” or prepared—is lauded in conjunction with the “strong horse” who stands in “a lap”, i.e. in a kumbha. The Ashvins (=Twin Horsemen) are said to have “dwellings in fields of men and in the streams of heaven, resting upon the summit of the mountain, or bringing food to [Man].” 

“Like a strong horse with a fair back [Agni] standeth, whereon, as in a lap [=kumbha], ye [Aśvins] seat you firmly. This most delightful [benevolence] awaits you in the man's house [mánuṣo duroṇé] drink-offering [=the sacred food] hath been heated [in a cauldron], which bringeth you over the seas and rivers, yoking as ’twere two well-matched shining horses. Whatever dwellings ye possess, O Aśvins [=Twin Horsemen], in fields of men or in the streams of heaven, resting upon the summit of the mountain, or bringing food to [Man]…. Delight yourselves, ye Gods, in plants and waters when Ṛṣis give them and ye find they suit You. Enriching us with treasures in abundance ye have looked back to former generations.” – Rig Veda 7.70.1-4 excerpts, tr. R.T.H. Griffith

This bizarre ancient poetry makes perfect sense when we understand this “strong horse” as the zodiacal horse and radius of 0° Sagittarius which runs or flows to 0° Aquarius/Kumbha—the divinely measured goal and destination of all of the Vedic gods and goddesses, including the Twin Horsemen [Aśvins]. [7] The symbol of “the summit of the mountain” makes sense given that 0° Aquarius is the apex or fullest height (30°) of the 10th sign of the Zodiac—Capricorn—the sign of the Mountain or Mountain Goat. Throughout the Vedas, the sacred geometry of the multiple vesica piscium that measure out the Vedic victory are depicted not only as cows, rivers, mothers, goddesses, stones, etc., but also as mountains, hills, or ridges. The Vedic Hero is thus said to be mountain-born just as he is river-born. In Rig Veda 5.78 he is called “the ten-month babe.... [W]ho hath for ten months' time been lying in his mother's side.” And, passage through ten full months of the zodiacal year, brings us to 30° Capricorn, i.e. 0° Aquarius/Kumbha.

Thus we can appreciate that 0° Aquarius/Kumbha marks the summit of the zodiacal mountain of Capricorn, as well as the kumbha, goal, victory, and FEAST of the twelve-month 360° Vedic sacrifice or year—where the purifying waters and likewise the immortal or immortalizing food and drink of the gods are released and shared from the sacred vessel or kumbha. In the Rig Veda the Feast of the Sacrifice is lauded in many ways, including as a wedding feast, a symbol that is repeated in St. John’s Revelation or “Apocalypse.”

“From inmost reservoir [=kumbha] in countless channels flow down these rivers which the foe beholds not. I look upon the streams of oil descending, and lo! the Golden Reed is there among them. Like rivers our libations flow together, cleansing themselves in inmost heart and spirit. The streams of holy oil pour swiftly downward like the wild beasts that fly before the bowman. As rushing down the rapids of a river, flow swifter than the wind the vigorous currents, the streams of oil in swelling fluctuation like a red courser bursting through the fences. Like women at a gathering fair to look on and gently smiling, they incline to Agni. The streams of holy oil attain the fuel, and Jātavedas [=Agni] joyfully receives them. As maidens dock themselves with gay adornment to join the bridal feast, I now behold them. Where Soma [=Agni] flows and sacrifice is ready, [towards which] the streams of holy oil are running.” – Rig Ved 4.58.5-9

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“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure’—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.’” – Revelation 19:6 (ESV)

It is worth noting here that one of the names of the Vedic Sacrifice and its culminating feast or festival is makha. I have seen no evidence of anyone connecting the name of Mecca (=Maakha) to the Sanskrit word Makha. Regardless, the pilgrimage destination of Mecca is, however unrecognized as such, an enduring symbol of the Vedic Victory, which boils down to the Revelation or Apocalypse of Truth-Consciousness in the dimly-lit, error-ridden mind of Humankind.

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In Part Four I will hopefully draw this Al Aqsa series to its conclusion, and then get back to finishing Part 9 of “The Spherical Gnosis of the Sage.”

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Endnotes: 

[1] From Dhanvan, Dhanu and the zodiacal geometry of the Rig Veda comes the Puranic god Dhanvantari, Vishnu’s avatar whose name means “moving in a curve or bow.” Dhanvantari, considered to be “the Divine Physician” and god of Ayurveda, carries a pot or Kumbha of Amrita in at least one of his four hands. In my view he is entirely equivalent to the Sagittarian Sage-Son-Hero (i.e. radius) of the Zodiac.

[2] Aditi, depicted as a Cow, is the mother/goddess of the twelve sons, called Adityas, who are believed to represent the twelve zodiacal months of the year. Her lap (upasthe), as well as the udder (udhas), home, stall, (vraja), step, station, or place (pade) of the Cow, are equivalent symbols of the Vedic Kumbha, which is simultaneously a symbol of the zodiacal month of Kumbha and a symbol of the imperishable vessel (akshaya patra), eternal law (sanatana dharma), divine measure (divya māyā) and sacred geometry of the Vesica Piscis that measures out the zodiacal circle.. In The New Way, Vols. 1 & 2 Patrizia Norelli-Bachelet discussed Aditi—the “Mother of Light”—as the twelve-month solar year. (pp. 397-408).

[3] Hubal’s name is thought to mean “He is Baal,” Baal being the powerful Canaanite thunder god Baal (=Hadad). The Sanskrit word BALA, meaning powerful or strong, is a prominent descriptor of the Vedic Thunder God Indra—one of the Vedic Hero’s many names—who slays the Demon/Serpent in order to release his seven rivers (cows, mothers, etc.). Likewise, Baal is characterized as a Serpent Slayer, including a serpent known as the "Mighty One with Seven Heads." The name “Baal” and the Sanskrit Bala are thought by etymologists to be “false cognates,” i.e. not related. Regardless, if we take into account their similar mythological context, they do seem to be related.

“Conspicuous by thy strength (BALA), firm, foremost fighter, mighty and fierce, victorious, all-subduing, the Son of Conquest, passing men and heroes, kine-winner, mount thy conquering car, O Indra.” – Rig Veda 10.103.5, , tr. R.T.H. Griffith

[4] In the post-Vedic Mahabharata and Skanda Purana, this Well of Truth, Law or Order (khām ṛtasya ≈ kumbha) was called Dharma Tirtha, Dharma Kūpa, or Dharmāndhu. 

[5] This hymn is numbered as 8.61 in R.T.H. Griffith’s translation.

[6] Horus’s mother or consort was the cow goddess Hathor, whose name is said to mean “House of Horus.” In Egyptian lore, Seven Hawthors (seven cow-goddesses) are said to be present at the birth of a human being, determining its fate. Once we see and understand the geometric and zodiacal sense of the Vedic cow-goddess, seven of which birth or uplift the Vedic Son-Hero to his heavenly House, which is also the zodiacal house of the divinized MAN, the mythology of the Seven Hawthors makes perfect sense.

[7] These Horse Twins are often associated with the zodiacal sign and constellation of Gemini, which is the Latin word for Twins. However valid and long-lived this association is, it does not account for the forgotten zodiacal geometry, symbolism, sense, and goal of the 360° Year (Yajna or Sacrifice) upon which all of the Vedic symbols were originally based. In my view, on one hand, these Twin Horsemen represent the dual or twin function and sacred geometry of any radius or line which, if simultaneously or in tandem rotated from each of its two endpoints, forms the eternal law, measure and sacred vessel of the vesica piscis. [See animated illustration] On the other hand, the Horseman, i.e. Centaur, is a symbol of the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius, and it is by the radius of 0° Sagittarius—rotated from its seat on the circumference of the Zodiac—forming the vesica piscis or vehicle by which the Horseman of the Zodiac arrives at 0° Aquarius/Kumbha. In order to appreciate the Twin Horsemen of the Vedas, we must be able to appreciate that the victorious place of the Vedic sacrifice only comes into being via TWO simultaneous movements of the radius: ONE which forms the circle of the Sacrifice, and THE OTHER which forms the vesica piscis that measures out the zodiacal signs and zodiacal victory, whether depicted as threefold, sevenfold, fivefold, tenfold, etc.. 

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