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1 HISTORICITY OF THE ERA OF LORD RAMA We, Indians, are the products of one of the oldest civilisations. We need to be really proud of our ancient history and cultural heritage. However, during the British Rule, we developed an inferiority complex, which adversely affected our quest to unearth facts relating to our glorious past. But our young and educated men and women, being born and brought up in independent India, are capable of unearthing the true facts and are confident enough to evaluate these objectively. Shri Rama being most basic to Indian ‘ethos’, it is necessary to know who is Shri Rama? Was he really born? If yes, when and where? As is believed by crores of people did he really put his feet on the territory of India from North to South, reducing the sufferings of mankind and ensuring victory of good over evil? Let us have a look at historical facts. The story of Shri Rama’s life was first narrated by Maharishi Valmiki in the Ramayan’ which was written after Shri Rama was crowned as the king of Ayodhya. Maharishi Valmiki was a great astronomer as he has made sequential astronomical references on important dates related to the life of Shri Rama indicating the location of planets vis-a-vis zodiac constellations and the other visible stars (nakshatras). Needless to add that similar position of planets and nakshatras vis-a-vis zodiac constellations is not repeated in thousands of years. By entering the precise details of the planetary configuration of the important events in the life of Shri Rama as given in the Valmiki’s Ramayan in the software named Planetarium Goldcorresponding exact dates of these events according to English calendar can be known. Sh. Pushkar Bhatnagar of Indian Revenue Service had acquired from USA the software named Planetarium Gold(of Fogware Publishing) which is used to predict the solar/lunar eclipses and distance and location of other planets from earth by the scientists and astronomers. He entered the relevant details about the planetary positions vis-a-vis zodiac constellations narrated by Maharishi Valmiki and obtained very interesting and convincing results, which almost determine the important dates starting from the birth of Shri Rama to the date of his coming back to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Sh. Pushkar Bhatnagar has given very

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HISTORICITY OF THE ERA OFLORD RAMA

We, Indians, are the products of one of the oldest civilisations. We need to bereally proud of our ancient history and cultural heritage. However, during theBritish Rule, we developed an inferiority complex, which adversely affected ourquest to unearth facts relating to our glorious past. But our young and educatedmen and women, being born and brought up in independent India, are capableof unearthing the true facts and are confident enough to evaluate these objectively.

Shri Rama being most basic to Indian ‘ethos’, it is necessary to know who isShri Rama? Was he really born? If yes, when and where? As is believed by croresof people did he really put his feet on the territory of India from North to South,reducing the sufferings of mankind and ensuring victory of good over evil? Letus have a look at historical facts.

The story of Shri Rama’s life was first narrated by Maharishi Valmiki in the‘Ramayan’ which was written after Shri Rama was crowned as the king of Ayodhya.Maharishi Valmiki was a great astronomer as he has made sequential astronomicalreferences on important dates related to the life of Shri Rama indicating thelocation of planets vis-a-vis zodiac constellations and the other visible stars(nakshatras). Needless to add that similar position of planets and nakshatrasvis-a-vis zodiac constellations is not repeated in thousands of years. By enteringthe precise details of the planetary configuration of the important events in the lifeof Shri Rama as given in the Valmiki’s Ramayan in the software named‘Planetarium Gold’ corresponding exact dates of these events according to Englishcalendar can be known.

Sh. Pushkar Bhatnagar of Indian Revenue Service had acquired from USA thesoftware named ’Planetarium Gold’ (of Fogware Publishing) which is used topredict the solar/lunar eclipses and distance and location of other planets fromearth by the scientists and astronomers. He entered the relevant details about theplanetary positions vis-a-vis zodiac constellations narrated by Maharishi Valmikiand obtained very interesting and convincing results, which almost determine theimportant dates starting from the birth of Shri Rama to the date of his comingback to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Sh. Pushkar Bhatnagar has given very

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authentic and convincing details of these dates in his book titled ‘Dating the Eraof Lord Rama’ published by Rupa & Co., some extracts from which are beingsummarised in the succeeding paras.

Date of Birth of Lord RamaMaharishi Valmiki has recorded in Bal Kaand Sarga 18 and Shloka 8 & 9(1/18/8, 9) that Shri Rama was born on 9th tithi of Chaitra month during day timewhen the position of different planets vis-a-vis zodiac constellations and nakshatras(visible stars) was as under:

(i) Sun in Aries (ii) Saturn in Libra(iii) Jupiter in Cancer (iv) Venus in Pisces(v) Mars in Capricorn (vi) Lunar month of Chaitra

(vii) Ninth day after no moon(viii) Lagna as Cancer (Cancer was rising in the east)

(ix) Moon on the Punarvasu (Gemini constellation and Pollux star)

This data was fed into the ‘Planetarium Gold’ software, the results indicatedthat this was exactly the location of planets/stars vis-a-vis zodiac constellations onthe 10th of January noon time in the year 5114 BC if viewed from latitude/longitude of Ayodhya (25°N 81°E). Thus Shri Rama was born on 10th Januaryin 5114 BC (i.e. 7117 years back). By making use of software to convert solarcalendar into lunar calendar, it was found that this date also happened to be the9th day of Shukla Paksha in ‘Chaitra’ month and the time was around 12 to 1noontime. This is exactly the time and date when Ram Navmi is celebrated all overIndia till date. The relevant sky view generated by Planetarium Software is enclosed.

Date of Exile of Shri RamaIn Valmiki’s Ramayan it is mentioned in Ayodhya Kaand (2/4/18) that Dashrathawanted to make Shri Rama the king because Sun, Mars and Rahu had surroundedhis nakshatra and normally under such planetary configuration the king dies orbecomes a victim of conspiracies. Zodiac sign of king Dashratha was Pisces andhis nakshatra was Rewati. This planetary configuration was prevailing on the 5thof January 5089 BC and it was on this day that Shri Rama had to leave Ayodhyafor 14 years. Thus he was 25 years old at that time (5114-5089) and there areseveral shlokas in Valmiki’s Ramayan which indicate that Shri Rama was 25 yearsold when he left Ayodhya for his 14 years of exile.

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Solar Eclipse during War with Khar-DushanValmiki’s Ramayan refers to the solar eclipse at the time of war with Khar-Dushanin later half of 13th year of Shri Rama’s living in forests. Valmiki has also mentionedthat it was Amavasya day and planet Mars was in the middle. When this data wasentered, the computer software indicated that there was a solar eclipse on 7thOctober, 5077 BC (Amavasya day) which could be seen from Panchvati

Planetary position on 10th January, 5114 BC– the date on which Rama was born

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(20°N 73°E). On that date planetary configuration was the same as has beendescribed by Valmiki, i.e., Mars was in the middle, on one side was Venus andMercury and on the other side were Sun and Saturn.

Planetary position on 7th October, 5077 BC (Amavasya)– the day of Solar Eclipse, when Lord Rama fought the battle with Khar.

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Other Important DatesOnly six of the twelve constellations remain above the horizon at the same time.Valmiki’s Ramayan contains graphic and poetic details of eight constellations duringHanuman’s return journey from Sri Lanka to Sunaabh Hill in the middle of thesea which apparently took about four and a half hours from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.All these details of planets and nakshtras with reference to eight constellationsdescribed in Sarga 57(1,2,3) of chapter 5 tally exactly with the sky view generatedby the software for the morning of 14th September 5076 BC.

Planetary position on 14th September, 5076 BC at 6.30 a.m.– the date and time of Hanuman’s return from Lanka.

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The date and time of Hanuman’s return from Lanka – 14th September, 5076 BC.This slide shows the time when Hanuman reached the middle of the sea

to rest on a small hill.

On the basis of planetary configurations described in various other chapters ofValmiki’s Ramayan, the date on which Ravana was killed works out to be 4thDecember 5076 BC and Shri Rama completed 14 years of exile on 2nd January,5075 BC and that day was also Navami of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month. ThusShri Rama had come back to Ayodhya when he was 39 years old (5114 – 5075).

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Such sequential matching of important dates in the life of Lord Rama narratedin Valmiki’s Ramayan with astronomical dating done through planetaryconfigurations cannot be a mere coincidence. It speaks volumes about the historicityof the era of Lord Rama!

Sequential Details of Places Visited by Shri Ramaduring 14 Years of ExileMany researchers, including a colleague Dr. Ram Avtar, have researched on placesvisited by Shri Rama during 14 years of exile. They sequentially moved to theplaces stated as visited by Shri Rama in the Valmiki’s Ramayan. Starting fromAyodhya, they went right upto Rameshwaram. They found 195 places which stillhave the memorials connected to the events relating to the life of Shri Rama andSita. The locals believe that Shri Rama had actually visited these places. AyodhyaKand, Aranya Kand, Kishkindha Kand and Sunder Kand (chapters 2, 3, 4 & 5)give sequential and graphic details of these places which mostly included Rishiashrams located along several river banks. These details can be divided into 5phases.

1st Phase – Gangetic BeltThey went to Tamsa Nadi Tal (Mandah) – 20 km from Ayodhya, thereaftercrossed Gomti river (Point no. 2 to 7 of the given map). Then they reachedGanges and entered Shringverpur (Singraur) which was kingdom of NishadrajGuh and is famous for Kewat prasang (20 km from Allahabad).

After crossing Yamuna near Sangam they reached Chitrakoot on UP and MPborders - memorials include Valmiki Ashram, Mandavya Ashram, Bharat Koop etc.still exist. After Bharat Milap they left Chitrakoot and went to Atri Ashramlocated in Satana in MP.

2nd Phase in Dandak Van

Along with Laxman and Sita, Shri Rama extensively travelled through this land ofrivulets and water bodies and dense forests around MP and Chhatisgarh.

They roamed around in Dandak Aranya area and visited Sharbhang andSutikshan Muni ashrams in Satna (Point no. 36-41 of the given map). Thereafter,

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they visited several Rishi ashrams in MP and Chattisgarh areas, along Narmadaand Mahanadi rivers for 10 years, and then came back to Sutikshan ashram.Several memorials in Panna, Raipur, Bastar and Jagdalpur still exist which includeMandavya ashram, Shringi ashram, Ram Laxman Mandir etc.

After crossing many rivers, lakes, hills and forests they went to Agastya ashramin Nasik. As per Valmiki, weapons made in Agnishala were given to Shri Ramaby Agastya Muni in this ashram.

3rd Phase along GodavariShri Rama, Laxman and Sita travelled along Godavari. From Agastya ashram theywent to stay in Panchvati – a place with 5 Vata trees located on banks of Godavariin Nasik (Point no. 116 of the given map). This place is famous for Sharoopnakhaepisode and war with Khar and Dushan.

There are memorials at the place where Mareech was stated as killed; theseinclude Mrigvyadheshwar and Baneshwar. Infact, Nasik area is full of memorials,e.g., Sita Sarovar, Ram Kund and Triambakeshwar and Janasthan etc.

After this incident, Sita was abducted by Ravana, who also killed Jatayu—memorial ‘Sarvatiratha’ in Taked Village, 56 km from Nasik, is still preserved.

4th Phase along Tungbhadra and KaveriShri Rama and Laxman extensively travelled through these areas in search of Sita.

After meeting Jatayu and Kabandh they moved towards south to reachRishyamook Parbat. On way they visited Shabari ashram in Pampasarovar areawhich is now known as Sureban in Belgaon and is still famous for Ber trees.(Point no. 146 and 147 of the given map.)

After crossing forests of Sandalwood, many gardens and water bodies, theywent towards Rishyamook. Here they met Hanuman and Sugreev, and were shownSita’s ornaments. Shri Rama killed Bali in this area.

Rishyamook and Kishkindha are located in Hampi, Distt. Ballari of Karnataka.

5th Phase on the Banks of the SeaRama with sena marched towards the sea. After crossing Malay Parbat, Chandanforests, many rivers and ponds they went along Kaveri River. Details of travelnarrated in Valmiki’s Ramayan tally with the existing memorials.

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Places visited by Lord Rama during Exile (shown in red spots)

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Ram-sena first camped in Koddikarai but later moved to Rameshwaram forconstruction of bridge and there are many memorials to commemorate this eventin Chhedukarai. After surveying the sea area the place was found unsuitable forconstructing the bridge. Therefore, Shri Rama shifted the entire army toRameshwaram. After surveying the place for three days, suitable area was identifiedand the bridge was constructed under the supervision of great shilpakar Nal. InRameshwaram, particularly from Dhanushkoti, the boatmen still take visitors inglass boats to show remains of Rama’s bridge, but it is considered fashionable tocall it Adam’s bridge instead of calling it by its historical name i.e. Rama’s bridge.Sri Lankan government wants to construct a land route over this submergedbridge (Pamban to Mannar) whereas Government of India wants to blast it forshipping i.e. Sethusamndaram project. Shri Jaisurya, Energy Minister of Sri Lankahad proposed construction of land route between India and Sri Lanka on thissubmerged Rama Sethu.

Ancestors of Shri RamaIndian history has recorded that Shri Rama belonged to Surya Vansh and he wasthe 64th ruler of this dynasty. Most of the names and other relevant particularsof previous 63 kings are listed in ‘Ayodhya Ka Itihas’ written about eighty yearsback by Rai Bahadur Sita Ram. In fact most of the names of these ancestors ofLord Rama have been listed in Valmiki Ramayan itself as narrated by VashisthaMuni to Raja Janak (1/70 & 71). Professor Subhash Kak of Lousiana University(USA), in his book “The Astronomical Code of the Rigveda” has also listed63 ancestors of Shri Rama who ruled over Ayodhya. The ancestors of Shri Ramahave been traced out as under: –

Shri Rama, s/o King Dashratha, s/o King Aja, s/o King Raghu, s/o. Dirghabahu,s/o King Dilipa-II, s/o. King Visvasaha and so on) ............... (all listed) ...............King Sagar (40th Ruler) ............... Satyavadi Harish Chandra (33rd King) ............... .

Professor Subhash Kak has also traced out 29 descendants of Shri Ramastarting with his son Kusa f/o Atithi, f/o Nisadha, f/o Nala ............... (all listed)............... 94th Ruler of Ayodhya being Brihatksaya.

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Ancestors & descendants of Shri Ramawho was the 64th Ruler of Surya Vansh

1. Manu 33. Hariscandra 65. Kusa

2. Iksvaku 34. Rohita 66. Atithi

3. Vikuksi-Sasada 35. Harita, Cancu 67. Nisadha

4. Kakutstha 36. Vijaya 68. Nala

5. Anenas 37. Ruruka 69. Nabhas

6. Prithu 38. Vrka 70. Pundarika

7. Vistarasva 39. Bahu (Asita) 71. Ksemadhanvan

8. Ardra 40. Sagara 72. Devanika

9. Yuvanasva (I) 41. Asamanjas 73. Ahinagu

10. Sravasta 42. Amsumant 74. Paripatra

11. Brihadasva 43. Dilipa (I) 75. Bala

12. Kuvalasva 44. Bhagiratha 76. Uktha

13. Drdhasva 45. Sruta 77. Vajranabha

14. Pramoda 46. Nabhaga 78. Sankhan

15. Haryasva (I) 47. Amabarisa 79. Vyusitasva

16. Nikumba 48. Sindhudvipa 80. Visvasaha (II)

17. Samhatasva 49. Ayutayus 81. Hiranyabha

18. Akrsasva 50. Rtuparna 82. Pusya

19. Prasenajit 51. Sarvakama 83. Dhruvasandhi

20. Yuvanasva (II) 52. Sudasa 84. Sudarsana

21. Mandhatr 53. Mitrasaha 85. Agnivarna

22. Purukutsa 54. Asmaka 86. Sighra

23. Trasadsyu 55. Mulaka 87. Maru

24. Sambhuta 56. Sataratha 88. Prasusruta

25. Anaranya 57. Aidavida 89. Susandhi

26. Trasadsva 58. Visvasaha (I) 90. Amarsa

27. Haryasva (II) 59. Dilipa (II) 91. Mahashwat

28. Vasumata 60. Dirghabahu 92. Visrutavant

29. Tridhanvan 61. Raghu 93. Brihadbala

30. Trayyaruna 62. Aja 94. Brihatksaya

31. Trishanku 63. Dasaratha

32. Satyavrata 64. Rama

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Satellite Images of Rama’s BridgeIn Valmiki’s Ramayana, it is mentioned that Shri Rama’s army constructed abridge over the sea between Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka. After crossing thisbridge Shri Rama’s army had defeated Ravana and liberated Sita from his captivity.Recently NASA had put pictures on internet of a bridge, the ruins of which arelying submerged in Palk Strait between Rameswaram (Dhanushkoti) and Mannar(Thalaimannar). The bridge is composed of a series of islands, rocks, and shoalsand it is stated to be 30 kilometres long. It is found exactly at the location narratedin Valmiki’s Ramayan! See NASA picture of this Bridge!

Picture of submerged bridge between Rameshwaram & Sri Lanka

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In Yuudh Kand, sarg 22 (shlokas 45-73) Valmiki has narrated in detail thatoriginally Shri Rama’s army camped in Kodikarai but found that place unsuitablefor constructing the bridge. Therefore, the entire army was shifted to Rameswaram.Research was carried out by Shri Rama for three days to find out a suitablelocation in the sea for constructing the land route so that the army could crossover to Sri Lanka. Finally, the suitable location was identified. Shri Nal, a famousshilpakar, who had the expertise similar to that of Vishwakarma in constructing thebridges, was requested to construct the bridge (6/22/45).

After carrying out the survey, Nal declared that a bridge can indeed beconstructed at the identified location. The armymen of Shri Rama utilized varioustools and implements for uprooting trees like Taar, coconut, mango, ashoka, bakuletc., and with the help of various yantras transported these trees, stones, and rocksto the seashore. Shilpakar Nal directed the armymen to stand with long ropes/chains on either side and filled the space in between with creepers, trees, stonesand rocks and bound them together. The construction of Ramsethu was completed

See the Boundaries looking like ropes & the fillings in between

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in five days by connecting the existing land route consisting of islands, rocks andshoals. See some latest pictures which apparently corroborate such descriptions!

Use of Ramsethu as Land Route between India and Sri LankaThis bridge was being used as land route between India and Sri Lanka for thousandsof years, though sometimes part of it was submerged under the seawater. Thewebsite Google Earth contains interesting as well as authentic pictures ofsubmerged Ramsethu whereas the website of Chicago Universityhttp://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/ displays most authentichistorical atlas of South Asia and has placed pictures of Ramsethu for the periodstarting from vedic era and 5th century BC to 19th century AD along withnomenclature of Ramsethu prevailing at the relevant times!

Maps from Historical Atlas of South Asia by J.E. SchwartzbergIn the ‘Historical Atlas of South Asia’ prepared by Joseph E. Schwartzberg(1978) and placed on its website by the university of Chicago, there are more than20 maps giving historical as well as geographical evidence about the existence ofthis Ramsethu and its use as land route between India and Sri Lanka during lastmore than 2500 years. In some of the maps it is shown as a complete bridge usedas land route and in some others a part of it is shown as submerged.

Route followed by Sri Rama for travelling from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka has beenshown and picture of this bridge has clearly been included in the given map onthe next page (top).

During the time of Mauryan empire (321–181 BC), exchange of embassiesbetween King Ashoka of India and Tissa of Sri Lanka and visit of Asoka’s sonMahindra are shown as undertaken by partly using land route between Koti(Dhanushkoti) and Tambapanni (also known as Mahatirtha). In an Ajanta paintingthe scene of landing of King Vijay in Ceylon in about 3rd century BC has beendepicted along with elephants, horses and foot soldiers which obviously was possibleonly if land route was used for travelling from Rameswaram to Sri Lanka(given in map on next page – bottom).

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

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During the Satavahan-Sak-Kushan Age (1–300 AD) Schwartzberg has shownthis Ramsethu being used as land route between India and Sri Lanka and hasstated that it was known as Rameswaram Koti at that time.

As per this atlas,during the age of Gurjara-Pratiharas, Palas andRashtrakutas (700 – 975AD), the region across theRamsethu constituted thelimits of the regions underthe control of RashtrakutaKings. In fact, entire SriLanka has been shown aspart of kingdom ofRashtrakutas andRamsethu has been shownas the land connectionconnecting the entirekingdom.

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

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In this historical atlas of South Asia prepared by Joseph E. Schwartzberg in1978, during the time of Khiljis and Tughlaks (1290–1390 AD) Ramsethu hasbeen shown as a land route between Rameswaram and Sri Lanka and the prevailingname has been stated to be Setubandha Rameswaram.

Maps prepared by Netherlands, France and UKAccording to Hunter’s Imperial Gazetteer, XI.22 (translated by A.M. Ferguson)the ancient records preserved in the Rameswaram temple mention that a violentstorm in 1480 AD breached this bridge and subsequent storms rendered thebreach permanent. This fact is corroborated by the two maps drawn in 16th and17th centuries by Netherlands and by a French map drawn in 18th century.

From 16th century onwards there are some references to two narrow channels,known as Pamban and Mannar through each of which only very small ships couldmake their way and that too when the sea was high. Reference to this has also beenmade by Dutch Governor of Ceylon in 1663.

James Rennell (1742–1830 A.D.) was the first Surveyor General of the EastIndia Company and is also known as Father of Indian Geography. A map ofHindustan got prepared by him with the help of Sir Joseph in 1788 has named thisbridge as the RAMA’s BRIDGE and the same is available in Saraswati Mahal

MAP NOT TO SCALE

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Library, Tanjavur. However in the later 1804 A.D. version of the map, the nameRAMA BRIDGE has been replaced with the name ADAMS BRIDGE! Hence theRAMA BRIDGE becomes the ADAMS BRIDGE and the psychology behind thesame needs no explanation!

Geological and Oceanography ReportsAccording to Geological Survey of India report named ‘Project Rameshwaram’,this bridge was capable of being used as land route between India and Sri Lanka7,000 to 10,000 years back. As per the report of Department of Earth Sciencesthe existence of Mesolithic and Microlithic tools and of human fossils on bothsides of Rama Sethu indicated existence of man-made structures.

As per estimate made by the inter-government panel on climate change (NASA,Global Change Master Directory) the rise in the sea level during the last 7000years has been about 2.8 metres which roughly corresponds to 9.3 feet.’ Theremains of Rama Sethu are found submerged nearly at a depth of 9-10feet. Thus, obviously this bridge was capable of being used as land route7000 years back.

The EssenceFrom Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Bengal to Gujarat, everywhere peoplebelieve in the reality of Shri Rama’s existence, particularly in the tribal areas ofHimachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and theNorth East. Most of the festivals celebrated in these tribal areas revolve aroundthe events in the life of Shri Rama and Shri Krishna.

The events and places related to the life of Shri Rama and Sita are true culturaland social heritage of every Indian irrespective of caste and creed and therefore itis common heritage. After all, Shri Rama belonged to the period when ProphetMohammed or Jesus Christ were not born and Muslim or Christian faiths wereunknown to the world. India was also known as Bharat (means—land of knowledge)and Aryavarta (where Aryans live).

During Rama Rajya, the evils of caste system based on birth were non-existent.In fact, Maharishi Valmiki is stated to be of Shudra class (Scheduled Caste) stillSita lived with him as his adopted daughter after she was banished from Ayodhyaand Shri Rama’s children Luv and Kusha grew in his ashram as his disciples. We

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need to feel proud of the fact that Maharishi Valmiki was perhaps the firstgreat astronomer and that his study of planetary configurations has stood thetest of times. Even the latest computer softwares have corroborated his astronomicalcalculations, which prove that he did not commit any error. Shabari is stated tobe belonging to Bheel tribe and the army of Shri Rama, which succeeded indefeating Ravana was also formed by various tribals from Central and South India.The facts, events and all other details relating to the life of Shri Rama are thecommon heritage of all the Indians.

The scientific details narrated about to indicate that Shri Rama was actuallyborn 7000 years back. Hence, discovering the details relating to Shri Rama’s lifewould be lot more difficult as destruction caused by floods, earthquakes andinvasions etc. would be far greater. But should that stop our quest for learningmore and more about our cultural heritage?

As Indians, let us all take pride in the fact that Indian civilisation is the mostancient civilisation surviving on planet earth and it is certainly more than 10,000years old. Therefore, let us reject the story of Aryan invasion of India in 1500 B.C.as mere linguistic guess work or as a motivated implantation. In fact Max Mueller,who was the creator of this theory, had himself rejected this theory. Let us admitthat during British Rule, we were educated in the schools based on Macaulayschool of thinking which believed that every Indian was inferior and that entire‘Indian literature was not worth even one book rack in England’. If there weresimilarities in certain features of Indian people and people from Central Europe,then automatic inference drawn was that the Aryans coming from Europe invadedIndia and settled here. No one dared of thinking in any other way. Therefore, thereis urgency for the historians and all other intellectuals to stop reducing Indianhistory to myth. There is need to gather, dig out, search, unearth and analyse allthe evidences, which would throw more light on ancient Indian civilisation andculture.

It is saddening that even after 60 years of independence, the Government ofIndia has not constituted a multidisciplinary team consisting of archaeologists,divers, geologists, ecologists and oceanographers to carry out the research aroundRam Sethu area. After all when such a team was constituted, the submerged cityof Dwarka was found 1.5 kilometres away from the existing Dwarka. Therefore,instead of certifying the non-existence of Ramsethu without any credible

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research, the need is to carry out scientific research. Not only this, with thedevelopment of new scientific methods, the old history written on basis of linguisticswill have to be discarded. There is a need to constitute a multidisciplinary teamin order to carry out research pertaining to most ancient period and this teamshould consist of Sanskrit Pandits, Astronomers, Archaeologists, Geologists andSpace Scientists. This team should be asked to carry out and correlate researchactivities in order to rewrite the history after verifying the authenticity and datingof most ancient events of Indian history.

There is need for the print and the electronic media to take note of these factsand create atmosphere which would motivate our young and educated youth tocarry out research and unearth true facts about ancient Indian civilisation andwisdom and would also encourage them to put across the results of their researchbefore the people fearlessly and with a sense of pride!

BIBLIOGRAPHY1. “Srimadvalmeekiya Ramayana. Published by Geeta Press, Gorakhpur.

2. “Dating the Era of Lord Rama” by Pushkar Bhatnagar, Published by Rupa &Company.

3. “The Astronomical code of the Rigveda” by Professor Subhash Kak of LousianaUniversity (USA), Published by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.

4. “Ayodhya Ka Itihas” by Rai Bahadur Sita Ram (1932), Published by Arya BookDepot, Karol Bagh, New Delhi.

5. ‘Shri Rama Van Gaman Sthal” by Dr. Ram Avtar, Published by Shri Rama SanskritikShodh Sansthan Trust, New Delhi.

6. Rama Sethu, Published by Rameswaram Rama Sethu Protection Movement, Chennai.

7. Historical Atlas of South Asia by Joseph E. Schwartzberg.