The Mahabharata-era ruler most clearly associated with Kosala is King Brihadbala — Vrihadvala in some translations. He was defeated by Bhima during the Pandavas’ campaigns before the Rajasuya, but later fought on the side of Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra War.
The Kurma connection is particularly significant. In Vedic ritual literature, the tortoise represents the worlds and the supporting principle of creation. In the Puranas, Vishnu becomes Kurma to bear Mount Mandara during the churning of the Ocean of Milk. In the Bhagavad Gita, the tortoise becomes the model for withdrawing the senses and establishing inner steadiness. Most strikingly, traditional puja manuals explicitly identify Kurma as the devata associated with the worshipper’s asana.
The proposed agreement brings together India’s state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and German submarine specialist ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The six submarines are planned to be constructed in India, substantially expanding domestic expertise in designing, integrating and manufacturing advanced underwater platforms.
India and Japan are nevertheless far from strangers when it comes to fighter operations. Their first dedicated bilateral fighter exercise, Veer Guardian 2023, was conducted in Japan from January 16 to 26, 2023. The Indian Air Force sent four Su-30MKI fighters, supported by C-17 transport aircraft and an IL-78 aerial refueller, while Japan fielded four F-2s and four F-15 fighters. The exercise included complex air-combat missions and gave both air forces an opportunity to train against aircraft and tactical philosophies very different from their own.
Its flagship F77 platform combines a large structural battery pack, high-output electric drivetrain, connected-vehicle systems and aviation-inspired industrial design. At the experimental end of its development programme, the F99 Factory Racing Platform explores 400-volt architecture, carbon-fibre construction, active aerodynamics and electric-superbike levels of performance.
In chemical terms, properly prepared lime water is a dilute aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide. Ayurveda employs it mainly as a processing medium rather than as an ordinary drink. It may be used for soaking, washing, detoxifying, firming or modifying selected fruits, vegetables and medicinal substances before they enter a formulation.
The collaboration has led to the launch of AAERI Verify, a digital credential-verification platform integrated with DigiLocker, India’s flagship Digital Public Infrastructure platform for secure storage and sharing of authenticated documents.
Delhi-based defence technology company VEDA Aeronautics is developing an underwater decoy for the Indian Navy, with plans to subsequently evolve the platform into a miniature underwater attack drone, opening a potentially important new front in India’s development of autonomous naval warfare systems.
Many Nagas delighted in frightening weaker creatures. They struck without warning, poisoned wells, disturbed hermitages and mocked those who lived by restraint. Their anger was swift, their grudges long and their pride sharpened by the knowledge that even mighty warriors feared their bite.
In India, the species is now principally associated with eastern Arunachal Pradesh, particularly the river systems around Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Kamlang Tiger Reserve and the Lohit Valley. Its dependence on relatively undisturbed, free-flowing rivers makes the White-bellied Heron especially vulnerable to changes in river habitats.
