Pre-Satavahana: Maharathi / Bhadra-Mitra, 200 BC, Unpublished.....interesting!!

[mitresh]

Pre-Satavahana, Maharathi / Bhadra-Mitra, 200 BC, Copper, 5.24g, unpublished

Obv: Elephant charging to right; Lion pounching on top; Lotus flower with long stalk in front of Elephant; fishes/ducks/tortoise swimming in wavy river at bottom

Rev: Large multispoke dharmachakra with arrowheads; plough standard surmounted by an inverted crescent.

Lovely natural river patina with beautiful motifs on both Obv n Rev.

The interesting motif on the Reverse is indicative of the Pancharatra (Early Vaishnavism) connection.

[Figleaf]

Tried to follow the text in your link but got lost every other sentence. I gather Pancharatra is somewhere between religion an philosophy? In what way is the motif on the reverse indicative of the Pancharatra?

Also, in what sense is the coin unlisted? Combination of elements? Differences in elements? Placement of elements? Totally different from anything else?

Peter

[mitresh]

The chakra is symbolic of Vishnu while the plough is associated with Balram, elder brother of Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu.

The unlisted element relates mainly to the combination of motifs on the reverse.

[Figleaf]

Thank you Mitresh, also for being eminently clear. Congratulations on this acquisition; it's good fun. TFP.

Peter