Saturday, July 2, 2016

Concept of Yugas: Interpretations and Clarifications

Concept of Yugas Re-examined: Interpretations and Clarifications

Description of Chaturyuga in Human years as well as in Divine years as per Manusmriti (1/65-71)1 is summarized as under-         

Yuga

 

Main period

Sandhya+

Sandhyansh

Total Length

Multiply by 360 as

1 divine yr = 360 human yrs

Krit-yuga

4000

400 + 400

4800 yrs

17,28,000

Treta-yuga

3000

300 + 300

3600 yrs

12,96,000

Dvapara-yuga

2000

200 + 200

2400 yrs

8,64,000

Kali-yuga

1000

100 + 100

1200 yrs

4,32,000

 

……….

………………..

……………

……………

Total

10,000

2000

12,000 yrs

43,20,000 yrs.

 

            Many ancient as well modern scientists and scholars believe that originally Chaturyuga (Satyuga + Treta + Dwapar + Kaliyuga) was of 12000 human years only and that also in descending and ascending order with some more years in between. However sometime in the remote past, it was misinterpreted as Chaturyuga of divine years. By taking one year of humans as equal to one day of gods (devas), these 12000 years were multiplied by 360 (180 days of northward movement + 180 days of southward movement of the Sun). As a result the Chaturyuga of human years was taken at 43,20,000 years (12000*360 = 43,20,000 years). What could be the justification for applying ‘divine year’ to the humans and that also by multiplying Human Chaturyuga of 12000 years with the number of days of northward and southward movement of the Sun?

I looked into Manusmriti to find the answer. In verses 65, 67, 69-71 of Chapter 1 of Manusmriti, the description of Chaturyuga is given as under –

“65. The sun divided the day and night of the devas (gods) and of Men. The night is for sleep of creatures, and the day is for performance of works / duties.

67. One full year of men makes one day and one night of the gods. Northward movement of the Sun (Uttarayan) is their day and Southward movement (Dakshinayan) is their night.

69. The Krita yuga (Satyuga) consists of four thousand years; four hundred such years form the Sandhya and four hundred such years form the Sandhyansha.

 

70. Of the remaining three yugas, the duration of each succeeding yuga and its Sandhya and Sandhyansha, are respectively less than those of its predecessor by one thousand and one hundred years.


71. Twelve thousand years of such four yugas, as computed before in their order of enumeration, count as one yuga of the devas i.e. gods.

 

The use of expression, ‘day and night of gods’ in 1/67, considering 180 days of Northward movement of the Sun as their day and 180 days  of Southward movement of the Sun as their night, in some remote past was probably interpreted in the manner that these 360 days make one day and night of gods. Therefore, 360 human years were considered as equal to one divine year of gods. Consequently, by multiplying these 12000 divine years of Chaturyuga with 360, the duration of Chaturyuga was taken as 43,20,000 human years.


However, since the most ancient times many scholars and scientists have disagreed with this interpretation, which has been followed over the years without review/application of mind. More than 2500 years back eminent Sanskrit sage and scholar, Medhatithi had considered this an error and had put the duration of Chaturyuga at 12000 human years only. During last sixty years several scholars, sages and scientists have also held this view. Jaggi Vasdev Ji, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, Pandit Bhagwaddutt Satyashrava, Shri K M Ganguli, Shri Richard Thompson and many others, have written books/articles and delivered lectures explaining with justification this view of Yuga cycles.


Therefore, actually a Chaturyuga may actually comprise only of 12000 years. In addition, there have to be descending and ascending cycles of Chaturyuga, with some more years in between. This takes us to the completion of precession cycle by Earth in 25920 years, which is accepted by modern Astronomy! Even Glaciology supports this view and holds that this might be the seventh such Yuga cycle (seventh Manvantra?) going on.


Hon’ble Jaggi Vasdev Ji has explained the cycle of four Yugas saying, “The precession (caused by gradual rotation of the Earth’s axis) of the equinoxes is the period of time that it takes the Earth’s axis to pass through one complete cycle of the zodiac. It takes the planet 72 years to pass through one degree of the zodiac and 25,920 years to complete one full circle of 360 degrees. One half of the journey takes 12,960 years and covers the four Yugas. Satya Yuga lasts 5184 years. Treta Yuga lasts 3888 years. Dwapara Yuga lasts 2592 years. Kali Yuga lasts 1296 years. These four yugas taken together come to a total of 12,960 years.” Descending and Ascending cycles of Chaturyugas complete a cycle of 25920 years2-3. Sadguru Ji also relates these descending and ascending cycles of Chaturyugas to downward and upward movement of human consciousness. The good news is that he believes that currently it is Dvapara Yuga, and not Kali yuga, and that also in its ascending phase. Hon’ble Jaggi Vasdev Ji has explained this Yuga cycle connecting it with one complete cycle of precession of Equinoxes by way of following image -



Pic. 56: Yuga cycle and precession of Equinoxes explained by Jaggi vasdev Ji

The solar system, with the Sun and the planets around it is, moving in the galaxy. It takes 25,920 years for our solar system to complete one cycle around a larger star. From the effects upon the planet, we believe this big star or big system that our system is going around is not located in the center of the orbit but somewhere to the side. Whenever our solar system comes closer to this big system, all the creatures living in our system rise to greater possibilities. Whenever our system moves away from it, the creatures living in our system come to the lowest level of possibility. Whenever our solar system is closer to the “Super Sun,” Satya Yuga will begin. The human mind will be at its highest capability. People’s ability to know life, people’s ability to communicate, people’s ability to live joyfully will be at its highest.

Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri has explained the 12000 years of descending and 12000 years of ascending Chaturyuga cycles by correlating the precession of Equinox with the mental virtues of the internal world4. He has explained that the Sun also revolves around a grand centre called Vishnunabhi, which is the seat of creative power known as Brahma, the universal magnetism. When the Sun comes nearest to the Vishnunabhi, which event takes place when Autumnal Equinox comes to the first point in Aries, the mental virtues are the most developed; therefore, that would be Sat Yuga. When Sun goes to the farthest point, it is Kaliyuga. As per Sri Yukteswar Giri, Autumnal Equinox was in the first point of Aries around 11501 BCE, thus human intellect was at its best at that time and thereafter it began to diminish. Therefore, by the end of descending Kali yuga in 499 CE (11501 – 12000), it was at its lowest. Thereafter there were 1200 years of ascending Kali yuga and currently it is Dwapara yuga going on.

Pic 57: The precession cycle of Vernal Equinox and Winter Solstice through the ages prepared by the modern day astronomers.


If we look at the principles of modern astronomy, these 12000 years of descending and ascending Chaturyuga cycles each have to be replaced by 12960 years each. 24000 years of Descending and Ascending Yuga cycles are to be replaced by 25920 years. The length of a year is to be taken of 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds, instead of 360 days. Sandhya or Sandhyansh are meant to give flexibility to the number of years falling under each Yuga.

Eminent Historian Pandit Bhagwaddutt Satyashrava has recorded in his book titled ‘Bharatvarsh ka Brihad Itihas’ that the Era of Lord Ram was in the Sandhi period of Treta and Dwapara and this could be around 5200 years before the beginning of Vikram Samvat. He has also added that Shri Krishna was born towards the end of Dwapara and Kali Era started after his mahanirvan. This was around 3200 years before Vikram Samvat, thus giving a gap of just about 2000 years between Ramayan and Mahabharat Eras. Shri Satyashrava had emphatically added that “Treta and Dwapara Eras certainly did not consist of lakhs of years” 5. He has also given a very different explanation for elucidation of the gap between descending and ascending cycle of Chaturyugas, which aims at explaining the meaning of Devyuga alias Divyayuga and also aims at reconciling cycle of 24000 years with 25920 years. He has referred to the extracts from the text of Ramayan and Mahabharat, wherein reference has been made to Devyuga prevailing prior to Krityuga. He has also said that there could be some extra years between Descending and Ascending cycles5. It needs to be taken note that the dating of astronomical references in Ramayan and Mahabharat, done by making use of planetarium softwares, has proved his assertions correct. Ramayan astronomical dates relate the Epic to 5100 BCE whereas astronomical dates of Mahabharat relate the events narrated therein to 3100 BCE; a time gap of 2000 years6.

It needs to be taken note of that in all these ancient time-reckoning calculations length of a year was taken as 360 days whereas actually it is 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds. This difference in the length of the year would also require adjustment in the length of Yugas. Further, if we accept the Chaturyuga cycle of 43,20,000 years, then are we prepared to declare that Kaliyuga consists of 4,32,000 years, of which 4,27,000 are still left? Are we able to explain what happened during 9,27,000 years, which would be the time gap between the eras of Shri Ram, who is said to have lived in Treta Yug, and of Shri Krishan, who lived in the end of Dwapara yuga?

We therefore make a very humble request to the sages and scholars to review the traditional interpretation of Chaturyuga and bring back Ramayan and Mahabharat from the realm of mythology to the realm of history, to which they actually belong. Only thereafter, we shall be able to make a rightful claim that India’s civilization is the oldest in the world during the current Holocene period and that Aryans were the originals of India who have been developing indigenous Vedic civilization for thousands of years.

References

1.    Manusmrti (Text with Kullukbhatta Commenatary, English Translation, Sloka Index and Word Index), by Maitreyee Deshpande, New Bhartiya Book Corporation, Delhi

2.   ‘Mystic’s Musings’ by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev; first published in 2003 by Wisdom Tree

3.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaHVNQwO68E

4.   ‘The Holy Science’ by Sri Sri Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri; Yogoda Satsang Society of   India. Pg. 9-24

5.     Bharatvarsh ka Brihad Ithihas (Comprehensive History of India) by Pandit Bhagavaddutt Satyashrava. 2000; New Delhi, Pranav Prakashan, Part 1- Pg 80, 163

6.    Seminar and Exhibition on Cultural Continuity from Rigveda to Robotics, 3-4 Feb, 2016 G.J University of Science and Technology, Hisar - http://sarojbala.blogspot.in/2017/05/blog-post.html , http://bit.ly/2FDUCNd

 


Thursday, May 19, 2016

RAMSETHU - Faith vis-a-vis Reality

Ramsetu is a natural chain of islands, hills, shoals, submerged in Palk Strait from Dhanushkoti to Talaimannar, in which certain gaps have been filled up, indicating the contribution of human hand. One of the two surviving fillings can be seen in the picture revealing well defined boundaries and stone fillings. During visit to Rameshwaram, I got an extra-ordinary opportunity to observe the depth at which a part of Ramsethu was found submerged under the sea which measured 9.5 feet (about 3 meters) on the fisherman’s oar.



Fig. 8: Boundaries looking like ropes & the fillings in between

Ram’s Bridge – references in Ramayan

In Yuddh Kand, sarg 22 (shlokas 45-73) Valmiki has given graphic details of Lord Ram carrying out research and exploration to identify a suitable location for construction of the bridge. After identifying the location, he requested Sugriva to search for an expert Shilpakar who could construct such a bridge. Sugriva recommended the name of Nal, a famous shilpakar, who had the expertise similar to that of Vishwakarma in constructing the bridge. Accordingly Nal was called; he concurred that bridge could indeed to constructed at the location identified by Shri Ram. The construction of this bridge was completed under the supervision of Nal in five days by filling up of the gaps in the existing natural chain of land route consisting of islands, rocks and shoals (6/22/68-73).

The armymen of Lord Ram utilized various tools and implements for uprooting trees like saal, taar, coconut, mango, ashoka, arjun, bakul and bilva etc (6/22/47). With the help of various yantras they transported these stones, trees, creepers, and boulders to the seashore (2/22/60). Shilpakar Nal directed the armymen to stand with long ropes on either side and got the bridge constructed in five days by binding such transported materials together. Even the use of measuring tools has been described (6/22/65).

Rama's Bridge - its satellite image and oceanographic evidences:



The bridge is composed of a series of islands, rocks, and shoals and it is stated to be 30 kilometers long. It is found exactly at the location narrated in Valmiki Ramayan. See NASA picture of this Bridge given above.

Sea level curve prepared by the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, corroborates the fact that sea level was about three meters lower around 5100 BC; thus corroborating the fact that in 5100 BC Ramsethu was above the sea level and could be used as a land route between Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka. Thus even fluctuations in sea levels corroborate references to Ramsethu in Ramayan.

Some very Interesting facts about Ramsethu

All attempts to create shipping route by completing the Sethu Samudram project have so far failed. Shri Subramnian Swamy summarized the report dated January 23, 2007 published in the Asian Age stating that “the Dredging Corporation of India’s (DCI) dredger imported from Holland had broken into two and sunk into the sea when it began work on the Ram Setu. The DCI crane that went to pick up the dredger pieces also broke and sank. The Russian engineer consultant who went to inspect the mishap broke his leg.” As a result all efforts made on behalf of the Government so far to destroy remains of Ram Setu have failed and consequently Sethusamudram Shipping Canal could not become a reality.

 We suggest that why not construct a the bridge as several multi-nationals are offering to construct the bridge under BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) scheme? Can one imagine the number of people from India who will walk over this reconstructed Ramsethu every year and the kind of profit the builder as well as Indian and Sri Lankan Governments would be able to earn! The relations between the two neighboring countries would drastically improve.

Dates of Ramayana

Dates of sky views in Ramayana

The story of Shri Ram‘s life was first narrated by Maharishi Valmiki in the ‘Ramayan’ wherein he has made sequential astronomical references on important dates related to the life of Shri Ram. By entering the precise details of these planetary configurations using the software named ‘Planetarium Gold’ corresponding exact dates of these events can be known.
          
Date of Birth of Lord Ram -

In Baal Kand (1/18/8-10) it has been stated that Shri Ram was born on 9th tithi of Chaitra month during day time when the position of different planets vis-à-vis zodiac constellations and nakshatras was as under:

1. Sun in Aries        
2. Venus in Pisces
3. Mars in Capricorn 
4. Saturn in Libra
5. Jupiter rising in Cancer                    
6. Moon near star Punar vasu (Pollux) in Gemini Constellation

Amazing! See the sky view below shows exactly similar location of planets, stars and zodiac constellations on the 10th of January in the year 5114 BC if viewed from latitude/longitude of Ayodhya (25°N 81°E). By making use of software to convert solar calendar into lunar calendar, it was found that this date also happened to be the 9th day of Shukla Paksha in ‘Chaitra’ month and the time was around 12 to 1 noontime. This is exactly the time and date when Ramnavmi is celebrated all over India till date.



Date of Exile of Shri Ram

In Valmiki Ramayan it is mentioned in Ayodhya Kaand (2/4/18) that Dashratha wanted to make Shri Ram the king because Sun, Mars and Rahu had surrounded his nakshatra and normally under such planetary positions the king dies or becomes a victim of conspiracies. Zodiac sign of king Dashratha was Pisces and his nakshatra was Rewati. This planetary position was prevailing on the 5th of January 5089 BC and it was on this day that Shri Ram had to leave Ayodhya for 14 years. Thus he was 25 years old at that time (5114-5089) and there are several shlokas in Valmiki Ramayan which indicate that Shri Ram was 25 years old when he left Ayodhya for his 14 years of exile.

Solar Eclipse during War with Khar-Dushan

Ramayan refers to the solar eclipse at the time of war with Khar-Dushan in later half of 13th year of Shri Ram’s stay in the forests. Valmiki has also mentioned that it was Amavasya day and planet Mars was in the middle. When this data was entered, the sky view generated by Planetarium software indicated that there was a solar eclipse on 7th October, 5077 BC which could be seen from Panchvati (20° N; 73° E) On that date planetary configuration was the same as has been described by Valmiki i.e. Mars was in the middle; on one side were Mercury, Venus and Jupiter and on the other side were Sun, Moon and Saturn. (Fig. 2).




Other Eclipses mentioned in Ramayan

In Kishkindha kaand there is a reference to solar eclipse (4/15/3) on the day Bali was killed. Software shows a solar eclipse on 3rd April 5076 BC which was the only solar eclipse during the entire year.
In Sunder Kaand there is a reference to lunar eclipse when Hanuman spots Sita in Ashok Vatika (5/19/14, 5/29/7, 5/35/87). Sky view reveals lunar eclipse starting from 4.15 pm on 12th September 5076 BC from Colombo (7°N; 80°E).
Thus the planetary references in Valmiki Ramayan correspond to actual sky seen from the given places around 5100 BC in the same sequence as narrated. The way in which archaeological, paleobotanical, genetic, oceanographic, geological, ecological and remote sensing research reports corroborate the astronomical dates is amazing! These details will also be shared through our upcoming website, bhootkaal.com.

Lessons from the life of Lord Ram

The story of Shri Ram, when appreciated in its true perspective, would emerge as the biggest unifying factor for India. He remains unparalleled as an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal warrior and an ideal king; that is why he is described as Maryada Purushottam Ram!
He was a nationalist par excellence who left his kingdom to help the small kings located all over India to save their kingdoms from being usurped by wicked King Ravana of Sri Lanka and his relatives and devils like Khar, Dushan, Trishira and Maarich representing him in India.
Shri Ram moved from place to place to spread the message of unity by showing very high level of respect for the people from backward tribes and those considered untouchable. He embraced Guh Nishad who belonged to Kol tribe, considered to be a lower caste; he gave a strong message against untouchability by eating with great affection jootha berries of Bhilni (Shabri) of Bhil tribe. He sent his wife and children to be brought up and educated by Maharishi Valmiki who is stated to be Shudra but was a great scholar in the ancient world.
Shri Ram tried and succeeded in establishing victory of good over evil. He helped rishis and munis in living a life of honor. He got the kingdoms of small noble kings restored to them and acted as the biggest unifying factor. He set the finest example of a welfare state, in which the supreme duty of the king is working for the well being and happiness of masses.
We all need to strive to establish Ram Rajya in India for rich and poor of all communities and castes!

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Ram Vanshavali

We all know that Shri Ram belonged to Suryavansh dynasty and the kings of this Vanshavali have been listed sequentially in Valmiki Ramayan and in Puranas. We completed these lists and compared these with the latest genetic studies. These also led to the conclusion that time of Lord Ram are around 7100 years back, who was the 64th eminent Ruler of this dynasty. Raja Sagar was 40th and and Samrat Bhagirath was 44th ruler of this dynasty, therefore their period was around 8000 years back. Look at the Geneology Charts and the genetic studies which corroborate the continuous development of indigenous civilization in India for last more than 10000 years -





Monday, February 15, 2016

DOCUMENTARY FILM ,RAMAYAN KI KAHANI VIGYAN KI ZUBANI -2020

Based on the original Ramayan composed by Maharishi Valmiki, this interesting documentary film रामायण की कहानी विज्ञान की जुबानी retells the life story of Shri Ram, along with the exact dates of important events in his life. These dates have been determined by generating the sky views of sequential astronomical references in Ramayan, using planetarium softwares, and by weaving other supporting scientific proofs into the story.


The story of ‘Ramayan’ in this film runs sequentially, with multiple scenes borrowed from Ramanand Sagar’s most popular and evergreen serial, after obtaining proper permission. The sky simulations of astronomical observations have been woven into the story to give the precise dates of all the important events. Viewers can enjoy watching how the sky looked like when Shri Ram was born.

Archaeo-botanical evidence of plants mentioned in Ramayan, beautiful images of many excavated samples and artifacts; like bow and arrow, ring and churamani, terracotta and pottery, plants and crops, with C14 dates of around 5000 BCE, will keep the viewers hooked to the film. The documentary also includes very fascinating and real pictures with proofs of Ram Setu and Sarasvati River. The film is based on the contents of the books Ramayan Retold with Scientific Evidence & "रामायण की कहानी विज्ञान की जुबानी", authored by Saroj Bala.


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Sarasvati: Archaeology and Remote-sensing

Comprehensive and wide-ranging scientific evidences based on scientific researches carried out for more than 50 years, including Space imagery, Archaeology, Geology, Hydrology, Geography and Literature have given extremely credible evidences of origin, flow and decay of Sarasvati river! 

I give you only three glimpses out of 20 slides I have. Have a look at them and I am sure that you would start wondering why in History books taught to us for last more than 50 years, which were written by leftist historians, it is said as imaginary! Was demeaning and distorting India's heritage their only agenda? Or spreading this falsehood also is a part of freedom of speech which is meant to be used for destroying India; its past, present and future!










Saturday, December 26, 2015

Mehrgarh: Oldest dentistry evidences

See evidence of drilling and filling of teeth being done 9000 years back in Indian sub-continent?


Monday, December 14, 2015

Wepons during Ramayan time

Astronomical dates of Ramayana references are 7000 years old. Archaeologists have excavated 7000 years old copper Bow and Arrow from middle Ganga plains. See just one out of many pictures of several excavated weapons



Saturday, December 12, 2015

Astronomical Dating of Rigveda References

Dates of Rigveda references

9000 years back, at the beginning of winter solstice (Uttarayan), pair of Ashwani nakshatras was seen in Aries Constellation just before sunrise, whereas 8000 years back, Ashwanis were no more visible on the horizon at Uttrayan beginning; instead Chitra nakshatra could be seen on the opposite side. Look at the two sky views along with the relevant Mantras from Rigveda –