The Gurkhas

G

GONESAILING

Joined
Dec 26, 1998
Messages
239
An interesting book by Byron Farwell.
Good history of the people and culture relating to war service.
Gurkha, translated by Farwell means "cow protector."
Ayo Gurkhali, the battle cry, means "the Gurkhas are upon you!" Me thinks it best to have them as friends.
smile.gif

This is the only book available in the public library system in this region on Gurkhas. Will expand my search to other regions.
Bill, feel free to jump in with more of your ointeresting stories.
Jim
 
"Cow protector", huh? I have a vague recollection of a root word for warfare meaning "wanting more cows." Maybe our resident linguistics experts can clear this up?

Makes me think of my time in Scotland and Ireland and the stories of the old cattle rustlers and border reivers.

The phrase "Aayo Ghurkali" (spelling?) reminds me of another question I had about the role of the Hindu goddess Kali. Is there any relation to the term "Ghurkali"?

Namaste!

-Dave
 
Of all the books I've seen so far, the best are: "Valour, a history of the Gurkhas" by Smith; "Gorkha" by Tucker; "Gurkha" by Chant;
and of course the book by Farwell.

Bookfinders.com has unearthed some wonderful
things on the Gurkhas. You might want to check it out.

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JP
 
Re: cow-protector, here's what little I know: A lesser-heard term (maybe the root-word for "Gurkha/Gorkha") is "Gorakh". This is made up of two words: "Go" or "Gau" or "Gai" which means cow/cattle, and "Rakh" or "Rakhwala" meaning protector. Most gurkhas are Hindus, and since the time the Aryans poured into the Indian subcontinent way, way back when, bringing their culture and Gods with them (which eventually evolved into Hinduism as we know it), cattle have always played a major role in their culture. Of course, this is something we see in other cultures too, but among the Hindus it seems to be particularly so, and thus "protector of cows" was equilivalent to "protector of the faith" and thus the warrior-class.

As for the war-cry, the closest sounding term is "Aayo Gorkhali" not "Gurkhali" or "Ghurkali". Here, "Gorkhali" = Gorkha + li, meaning someone who is a Gurkha/Gorkha.

The Goddess Kali is highly respected by the gurkhas, but the most important deity is actually Goddess Durga (check out Himalayan Imports website - the deity you see on the postcards - the one riding a tiger/lion - she's Goddess Durga). The most important gurkha festival, Dassein or Dashera or Durga-puja is dedicated to her with the sacrificial offering of buffalos, goats, etc. In fact, another lesser-known war-cry among gurkhas and other Durga followers (Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, etc.) is "Jai-Durgay" or "Hail to the Goddess Durga."

Goddess Kali has the largest following in Eastern India, especially in Bengal, where the same festival is called Kali-puja.

Hope that helps. Please take the above with the understanding that it comes from a "common-man's" perspective (i.e. don't quote me on this
smile.gif
). If you did scholarly research, you'll probably find a few holes in what I wrote here!

- Sonam

[This message has been edited by gtkguy (edited 19 August 1999).]
 
Sonam,

I know we've had lengthy discussions about this ceremony. For those who haven't seen it, here's a good picture of what Sonam is talking about (courtesy of Lalit Lama):


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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor

[This message has been edited by Craig Gottlieb (edited 19 August 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Craig Gottlieb (edited 19 August 1999).]

Sorry, Craig I had to remove the Dasein pix you posted. I don't post pix of Dasein on the HI forum or anywhere else on the net and I will ask you to maintain this same standard when posting in the HI forum. There are those who do not understand the cultural and religious significance of Dasein and I would prefer not to offend these people.

Anyone interested may view this pix on Craig's website or I can email you personally pix of Dasein festivals I have attended myself or some pix of Dashera festivals taken by nephew Sonam when his father was Gurkha CO in Indian Army.

Uncle Bill



[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 19 August 1999).]
 
John P.
The books I am looking for were from a list that you previously posted. Thank you.
The only one in our public library system is
Farwell's.
Will check online sources for the rest.
Have you typed up any reviews of your favorite Gurkha books?
Jim
For those interested, Farwell's book also has an entire chapter on festivals. After reading the backgroung and meaning, I understand and applaud Uncle Bill's position regarding those pictures on the forum. AAARRRGGG
Namaste, Bill
Jim

[This message has been edited by GONESAILING (edited 19 August 1999).]
 
I am certainly no literary critic but I have read a few books on Gurkhas and have maybe a half dozen but the one I pick up most is Chant's "Gurkha."

Uncle Bill
 
I second Jim's sentiments on the photo.

And BTW, your check is in the mail Uncle Bill. LOL
 
:
I need to take some time and read about the Gurkhas.I saw the post about the books one time before,but didn't write them down.
My uncle served with at least one Gurka in WW II and told me how firece they could be on one hand and how gentle when one of thier own was hurt on the other.One of thier own didn't just pertain to other Gurkhas either.
All Great Warriors are like that.

I also thank you for removeing the pic.I have seen it before and do not find it offensive,but I know where others would be offended.
It is like I have said in other posts," Being Indin means giving up blood freely sometimes in Ceremony,for others to make light of it disturbs me."

The "Blessing" that is given by the Kamis also means a lot to me and is a big part of why I buy my Kuhkuri's from H.I.
To me it is a Holy Thing and shouldn't be talked lightly of,even in jest.
It would be like someone saying,"I gave a flesh offering to the Grandfather."
and not understanding what it means.

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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.

 
I am learning a lot by paying attention to you guys. Please keep up the background and cultural info.Thanks!

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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."


 
My Sherpa in laws in Nepal are Buddhist and so am I. As such we do not like to take a life, no matter human, animal or insect. Yet, we all attend Dasein when it rolls around out of respect for our Hindu friends and relatives. We even participate in our own way by breaking an egg on the altar.

We extend the courtesy to our Hindu brothers to allow them to participate in the festival according to their belief and custom without condemnation or criticism from us. We do not judge. However, there are many (I know from experience!) who view this ritual as cruel and barbaric and I do not wish to offend these people. They have their own belief system and I must respect that also.

Perhaps of some interest is the fact that in some places the Gurkhas are no longer allowed to perform kali puja but chop a melon in two instead. By proxy, a water buffalo is killed in Nepal where this is still quite acceptable.

Uncle Bill
 
I think Bill's policy about the posting of the pictures is a wise one.

Nevertheless, it makes me wonder about our society. Death is not gone because we kill animals in slaughterhouses, then wrap their carcasses in Styrofoam and plastic for purchase at the supermarket.

Old age is not gone because we trundle our elders into nursing homes and shut the doors behind them.

As a society, we are less than honest with ourselves sometimes.

If I were given a choice of deaths for myself, between the death of a cow in an modern slaughterhouse, and the death of a water buffalo in one of the ceremonies alluded to above, I would without question choose the ceremonial death. There is more dignity in the ceremonial death, and I believe a genuine concern for the sentient entity whose life is ending.

Years ago, when I was staying for a short while at a Zen Buddhist community, one of the vegetarian priests caused an uproar by going out in the early morning and killing pests with an airgun. The pests were devastating the community garden. I thought a long time about his actions, and came to the conclusion that he was a very honorable man. Even vegetarians have difficulty escaping from the moral burden of deaths caused by agricultural techniques.

After a period of vegetarianism, I chose to eat meat. I also chose to accept responsibility for the deaths I cause. I have hunted and killed wild animals, and I have slaughtered domestic ones. I believe the sacrificial techniques with the khukuri provide a merciful and quick death to an animal.

It is a shame that we are not ethically mature enough as a society to acknowledge that.
 
I`m with Howard. We must kill to live. They are two sides of the same coin. Whether you buy carrots or meat in the store or you hunt and gather yourself makes no differance. Something has to die for you to live.

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I knew a few holy men in Nepal who would eat only what was given to them by nature -- fruit, nuts, whatever that could be given without the death of the plant. And they would not clothe themselves in anything like leather. I am sure they inadvertently killed things -- perhaps a louse when they scratched their heads or maybe an ant which went unseen in the darkness and was stepped upon but this was unknown to them and therefore did not weigh upon their conscience.

Uncle Bill
 
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