INS Nilgiri was the first major frigate - warship built in India. It was built at Mazagon Docks Limited, Mumbai and was launched in 1968.
Varuṇa is the lord of the waters
and the ocean. In the Vedas and Purāṇas, Varuṇa is considered to be the Devatā
of all forms of the water and
particularly the oceans.
It is very apt that the Indian Navy selected this piece of the śānti mantra -- शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः
(śaṃ no mitraḥ śaṃ varuṇaḥ) from the Taittiriya-Upaniṣad and incorporated it
into the crest.
To commemorate the launching of INS Nilgiri, India Post issued a stamp of 20p denomination. The cancellation provided on the stamp bore the Indian Navy Crest with the Sanskrit inscription: -
शं नो वरुणः
śaṃ no varuṇaḥ
May Varuṇa be auspicious towards us.
I am extremely glad that you brought out the significance of the cancellation in the FDC of INS Nilgiri.
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