India history and geography

Source: Mandala Texts: Trübap: The 'Descent of Blessed Water' Festival

Chushel (ཆུ་ཤེལ་) refers to “crystal”.—The Bhutanese astrologers, like other Himalayan astrologers, explain that the star Rishi is formed from crystal (ཆུ་ཤེལ་, chushel) and ketaka (ཀེ་ཏ་ཀ་) gemstone which has the power to purify water. Thus, it is called the medicinal star. The rays emitting from the star is said to have the power to cleanse the impurities of water and disinfect the water of any pathogen and toxicity. Water touched by the light of Rishi is considered to be endowed with healing power and to posses the eight qualities of being a cool, clear, clean, light, sweet, soothing and harmless to the throat and stomach.

In the sacred mountains around Mt Meru, the gods, divinities and saints of yore are said to have created a statue of Buddha Vairocana with the numerous precious stones. The crown of the Buddha Vairocana is said to have been made of the same materials of crystal (i.e., chushel) and ketaka gem which form the star Rishi. When the star Rishi shines above the Buddha for a week, drops of divine nectar are said to dribble down due to the prayers of the gods, divinities and saints of the past. These drops of celestial nectar then imbue the streams and rivers of the world with healing power and blessings. Thus, people drink and bath in the waters during the week.

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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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