A rare coin of Pratisthana

Fig. 1: Pratisthana, Lead unit, circa 200 B.C.E. 

Obverse: Female/Male Deity, Brahmi legend: PaTiThane (means Sanskrit word: Pratisthana) 

Reverse: Tree in Railing, arched hill and Swastik. 

Find Location: Uklana, Hisar District (Haryana) 50 kms from Agratya Site.

Weight: Not disclosed. 

LEGEND: "Pratishthana was built by King Ila - who was the king of Bahlika, strayed into Shiva's forest during his hunting trip and was cursed to become a woman by Shiva. By praying Shiva's consort Parvati, he managed to stay as man and woman alternatively every month. He would not remember events of one stage in the other. When he was a woman, he married Budha (Mercury, one of the nine planets the 'Navagrahas') through whom he had a son (Pururavas). Budha helped Ila to attain his former self by pleasing Shiva through 'Ashwamedha Yagna' (Horse sacrifice). After leaving Budha, Ila left Bahlika and established the city Pratishthana from where he ruled for long. After him, Pururavas became the king of Pratishthana. (Source: Valmiki Ramayana, Uttara Khanda, Sarga 90)." 

To read the full article please visit academia.edu my page