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10. MANICHEAN
To the Buddhists Mani became Buddha and to the Christians Mani became the Apostle of Jesus and the Paraclete whom Jesus Promised. For many years Mani traveled abroad, founding Manichean communities in Turkestan and India. Then he returned to Syria and did send his father and his disciples (one of the names of Mani's disciple was Thomas) into India to continue his ministry. His ministry was centered in Kanchi area
Thus in India he efficiently converted isolated Christian denominations of Vaishnava and Saiva denominations into its present day form. Mani's work was concentrated in and around Kanchipuran which was also the headquarters of Thomas. In due course he was elevated to the status of another Son of Siva along with Ganapathi (the Lord of Hosts who has the face of an elephant) as the Bala Subra Manian. (Bala means young or child, Subra refers to the emanation of light of the dazzling white). Remember Manichaenism was called "The Teaching of Light"
The Malabar literature refers to him as Magician Manicka Vachagar. Even in the New Testament Gnostics were referred to as Magicians. (Simon Magnus and Elymas were called Magicians). Subramanyam is represented with a Peacock since the magicians are said to have the ability to fly like a peacock. (Simon Magnus is said to have died in one of those flights)
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