ARYAN INVASION AND IGNORED VEDIC
INDIAN CIVILIZATION
By
Dr. M.L.Babu
Sham .S. Misri
Table of Contents
PREFACE........................................................................................ ...03
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................... ..04
PRE –HISTORIC INDIA............................................................................. ..07
INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION .................................................................09
INDIA AND ARYAN INVASION ....................................................................11
VEDIC ARYANS..................................................................................... .21
GENETICS AND ARYAN ORIGIN .................................................... ..28
Vedic Aryans and their civilization............................................................. .31
KINGDOMS AND MAHAJANPADAS ..................................................... .34
Kuru kingdom..................................................................................... .35
Kosala Kingdom................................................................................... .35
ARE LORD RAMA AND LORD KRISHNA HISTORICAL? ................ ..36
VEDIC LITERATURE ............................................................................... .39
Rigveda ....................................................................................... . .41
Yajurveda........................................................................................ . 42
Atharveda........................................................................................ . 42
The Brahmanas.................................................................................... .44
The Aranyakas................................................................................... . .45
Vedanges......................................................................................... .45
Upanishads ...................................................................................... .46
PURANAS ......................................................................................... .54
Bhagavad Puran ................................................................................. .55
Hindu Philosophy ............................................................................... . .57
EPICS ........................................................................................... .63
Ramayana......................................................................................... .63
Bhagvat Gita .................................................................................... .65
Mahabharata...................................................................................... .66
HINDU COSMOLOGY AND YUGAS ................................................... .68
INDIA’S CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD .............................................. 72
HINDU ANTIQUITY -TIME FRAME ..................................................... 75
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................... 79
BIBLIOGRAPH...................................................................................... .82
AUTHOR........................................................................................... .92
PREFACE
The purpose of this monogram is not to write the history of India and its civilizations. The sole aim of this write up is to introduce the reader to Vedic civilization and its contribution to world. Out of all civilizations, this one is most neglected. This civilization and its contribution is grossly ignored by contemporary history books.
India should have occupied a significant space in world history. Instead it finds its name in foot notes of world history. In fact, India has been cradle of human civilization and founder of scientific ideas.
Philosophy of India rose as an enquiry in to mystery of Life and Existence.
As an off shoot, this monogram clears the notion of Aryan invasion of India in 1500BC, a myth created by west to legitimize their rule of India as well to down grade the indigenous advanced civilization. I, as a senior author am thankful to my wife Kusum for inspiring me to write this monogram. I am thankful to Sandeep Misri for his help. It is because of his diligence in copy editing, cover design and other useful inputs that this monogram has been possible. Thankful to Julish Bhat for his assistance and guidance. The authors pay special thanks to Sumeet Misiri for the help rendered while compiling book.
Finally, we dedicate this monogram to youth of India who should be proud of their heritage unlike their elders who have been skeptical about India’s past.
M.L.Babu
S.S.Misri
INTRODUCTION
The theory of the Aryan migration into India from somewhere has been so often repeated by the Western scholars that it has become an article of faith even with the Indian scholars!
"In the days when historian supposed that history had begun with Greece, Europe gladly believed that India has been a hotbed of barbarism and savagery.”
In 1924 the world of scholarship was again roused by news from India. Sir John Marshall announced that he had discovered at Mohenjo-Daro, on the western bank of the Lower Indus, remains of what seemed to be an older civilization than any yet know to historians. The Indications are that Mohenjo-Daro was at its height when Cheops built the first great pyramid; that it had commercial, religious, and artistic connections with Samaria, and Babylonia. It survived over 3000 years, until the third century before
Christ1.
When Sir Marshall saw Indus relics in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa; Indian civilization had a quantum jump from a few hundred BC to 3000 BC. Then came many other scholars both Indian and foreign who came to conclusion that India had a mighty civilization in past. Max Muller, after compiling Vedas wrote, “If you ask me which country reached its glory first, I will point to
India.” Same scholar had earlier said that India had no worthy civilization in past. With satellite Imaging, new excavations and other finds one becomes reasonably certain that India had a distinct culture of its own in past. Continued religious practices in present India give added Credence to India’s glorious past.
Since the nineteenth century, India's ancient history from Vedic times and the true content of the
Veda have both been distorted by a narrow-minded and indifferent scholarship. British rulers,
European scholars and missionaries combined in a campaign to mock the roots of Indian Civilization, and used the wholly groundless Aryan Invasion theory to sow seeds of division in the Indian society - "divide and rule." It was also "to divide and convert."
The same fallacies continue to be promoted today. Unfortunately, many of the wounds the Aryan
Invasion theory inflicted on Indian society are still painfully open today, nurtured by politicians,
Who have made sure that divisions between castes have been sharpening rather than subsiding - for the simple reason that without such divisions they would all be out of business. Today, it is necessary to examine the birth of the Aryan myth, and the misuses it has bred; it then gives a fresh look at the invasion theory in the light of recent scientific evidence, and shows how it now stands overwhelmingly
disproved.2
All western writers tried to claim to get inspiration from Greek philosophy. Then they went on to Say that Indians got inspiration through Greece to develop their own philosophies. This they say despite their being enough evidence that Indian philosophies had taken definite shape around 800BC—1000BC.
It is extremely difficult to decipher India’s past due to many things. Firstly, we have to dig too much of the past about which we which have scanty literature available today. Most of the literature of ancient India is either lost with time or was deliberately destroyed by foreigners.
Ancient Indians knew value of history but they had less means to protect their monograms.
Secondly, they were inclusive. They kept whatever they knew a closely guarded secret. Little
They realized that their way of transmission of secrets orally will be lost to future generations. Writing of literature started very late [500BC—1000BC], BY this time most of its glory was already lost. Hence the literature which came up was a mix up where facts were woven with author’s dispensation. It needs a real scholar, to get to real essence out of this confusing
Literature. It is this confusion in literature which has been exploited by western writers and they Started telling no worthy Civilization existed in India in ancient times. They were joined in this by a handful of Indians who had no deep knowledge about Sanskrit.
It has now become a myth that Aryans migrated to India in 1500BC. Evidence is accumulating day by day that Aryans were Indians who migrated to Iran and west from India. There are writers who
Opine now that Indus civilization is post Vedic. Indologists who invented Aryan invasion theory Postulated that Rigveda was written in 250BC but later fixed its date much earlier.
It is clear that India had a culture long before other civilizations came on earth. Vayu
Purana mentions about ancient history of Bharata [India]. Suta wrote Puranas. The Puranas in
Present form have been compiled very late [Gupta period]. Pargitar3 believes oldest puranas were written at the time of vedic texts.Traditional history has its value and it is possible that old faith and its philosophy was chiefly away of life. Slowly a rigid religion developed with all its rituals and ceremonies which we now call Hinduism. Professor Winternitz4 thinks that beginning of Vedic literature goes back to 2000BC----2500BC. Many believe Rig-Veda was written around 1500BC. Looking at scriptures which are a product of human mind we have to remember the age in which they were written and the vast distance in time and thought which separates it from us.
Professor
MacDonnell5 says importance of Indian literature lies in its originality.
Rigidity in caste factor led to loss in creativity and decline of race. A mix of free thought and Orthodoxy lived side by side. An appeal was always made to ancient authorities but little attempt Was made to interpret their truth. Net result was decline of India.
Plotinus studied Iranian and Indian philosophy and was influenced by the mystic elements in Upanishads. From Plotinus many of these ideas are said to have gone to St Augustine and through him influenced the Christianity of the day. Max Muller, Schopenhauer and others have sung praises of Upanishads. In them, they felt joy! A cry came out; human thought seemed to have reached its very peak. Indian culture cannot be well understood if mythology is totally taken away and ignored. It becomes inarticulate. Mythology adds cover to the fruit it has Preserved till today. It also held multicolored society divided in many ways in harmony and giving them common background of traditions and ethical life. Mythology is seen in every religion and nationalism everywhere has clouded the underlying truth.
Ancient India started with amalgamation of Aryan, Dravidian and some aboriginals. Stress was laid on life to make it comfortable. The Concept of God and metaphysics are late developments.
Manu gave law to country. What the Indians were like is difficult to conceive but a vague picture Can be made out. They were lighthearted race, confident and proud of their traditions, dabbling in search for the mysterious, full of questions addressed to nature and human life, attaching importance to the standards and values they had created, but taking life easily and joyously. Such was then ancient India where search for truth gave it vitality; mythology gave it mobility which carried it till today. It may be mentioned here that Idol worship is not Vedic. It was introduced in India in post Buddha period because Buddhist followers worshiped his image. Staunch Hindu’s made images [Idols] to make masses understand invisible which was criticized by Lord Buddha. Caste, an Aryan creation had total different meaning then. Vedic teaching strongly believes in Karma [you are recognized by your work and not by birth]. Caste system was a manipulation to dominate society. There are innumerable examples of Shudras becoming Brahmins in Vedic age.
Ultimately this Brahaminic greed for power and rigidity of caste system lead to fall of India.
PRE –HISTORIC INDIA
Earth formed about 4.54 billion years back. It was initially molten, eventually outer layer of
Planet cooled to form solid crest. As it started reshaping continents broke and fell apart. Around 180million years back continent Pangaea broke apart. By the end of Mesozoic era the continents had drifted into present form. Laurasia became North America and Eurasia while Gondwana spilt
Into South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica and Indian subcontinent. It collided with Asian Plate and this impact gave rise to Himalayas.
History of India begins with evidence of human activity as long as 75000 years ago or with
Earlier hominid H. Erectus from about 500,000 years ago. Earliest modern human fossil, Narmada man is dated 250,000 back, found in Gujarat. There is also an indication that India might have been inhabited somewhere 500,000 years to 200,000 years ago.
Tools crafted by Protohumans that have been dated back to 2Million years, have been discovered in
N/W India. The earliest archeological site in the subcontinent is the Paleolithic site in Soan River valley6 .In neolithic period more extensive settlements of the subcontinent occured approximately 12000 years ago. First confirmed semipermanent settlements have been seen in
Bhimbetka rock shelters in modern Madhya Pradesh. Early Neolithic period is represented by Bhirrana findings [7500BC] in Haryana, Mehargarh [7000BC—9000BC] in Baluchistan7.
Agriculture sprang up in 5000BC8.Urbanization occured with indus valley civilization.
Racial types in prehistoric India:-
The most plausible theory seems to be that long before the supposed Aryan invasion, the Indian Subcontinent was inhabited by diverse groups of peoples who migrated from different parts of the world. The first wave of migration took place probably about 100000 years ago from Africa to Mediterranean and from there into southern Asia and finally into the Indian sub-continent9.It Was followed by several waves of migration from Africa, Asia and Europe resulting in the formation of a multiracial and heterogeneous society by 4000 BC. That is characteristic of India even today. . Anthropological studies of the prehistoric races based on skeletal studies confirm that many races existed in pre historic India. Sir Herbert Ripley identified seven racial types10.
Dr. B.S.Guha identified six main races that migrated to the Indian sub-continent in ancient times.
They were the Negritos, the proto Australoid, the Mongoloid, the Mediterranean, the Western
Brachycephalic, and the Nordic. There is no evidence to suggest that a new racial type of Caucasian origin had been added to the sub-continent through an Aryan invasion subsequent to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization. 11
Non recognition of the distant past of India:-
There has been non recognition of antiquity of India in west due to bias and Eurocentric attitude. Findings of Harappa and other archeological evidence has been totally ignored. It was being said that India had no significant past. The village of Balathal [Udaipur], Rajasthan illustrates antiquity of India’s history as it dates back to 4000BC12. Balathal was discovered in 1962 and Excavations had not begun till 1990. Archeological excavations in last 50 years have dramatically changed the understanding of India’s past. It is now understood that significant human activity existed in India over 10000 years back. Many historical assumptions based on earlier work in Egypt and Mesopotamia needs to be reviewed and revisited. The beginnings of
Vedic traditions in India still practiced in India today can now be dated and can be attributed to Balathal than to often claim to be post Aryan [1500BC]. Around 5500 BC cotton was being Cultivated in India.
Analysis of mtDNA dates immigration of Sapiens to India in 75000BC—50000BC13. They
Spread to Australia in 40000BC. At rock shelters of Bhimbetka humans lived, their cave
Paintings date30000BC. Soanian is an archeological culture of lower Paleolithic period
[500,000—125,000 years] in India13. Soanian sites are found along Sivalik region in present day
India, Nepal and Pakistan. Neolithic Mehrgarh, Baluchistan lasted from 7000BC—to
5600BC.The ceramic Neolithic period lasted till 3300BC blending with early Harappa
Civilization. In South India Neolithic began 3000BC and lasted till 1400BC. Dravidian Civilization began in 2500BC and Indus civilization began at Harappa in 3500BC.
Such was then the scenario of prehistoric India which west is bent on to ignore for their Eurocentric history of world.
INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
Once we talk of civilizations our mind imagines images of Egypt and Mesopotamia [Sumerian].
After 1920 with excavations at Mohanjo Daro and Harappa we have started to think about other
Civilizations too. This civilization found around Indus River is being called Indus Valley Civilization. This should be instead called Indo-Saraswat Civilization as this civilization not only flourished around Indus River but around river Saraswati too. Since, this river is not seen today hence conveniently ignored by the writers. Saraswati River has been proved by satellite Photography and its drying up before 1900BC is now well accepted.
Excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro have established that a thriving urbanized
Civilization existed way back in 3300BC. This Civilization was either contemporary to Egypt /
Mesopotamia civilizations or preceded it by 100—200 years. People of Mohanjo- Daro and Harappa did not build big monuments nor did they bury their rich in gold tombs. This scenario is quite different from what we see at Egypt and Samaria. This Civilization extended from present day Punjab and Haryana to West Pakistan, involved Rajasthan and parts of present Gujarat. This Size is far bigger than Sumerian civilization. When other civilizations spent lot of their wealth on rich and supernatural, Indus people spent it on common man. These people were very peaceful which is evident from the fact that no weapons of day have been unearthed. More than 1000 sites have been located, excavated and studied which have revealed a lot. An artifact of unique stone
Seal carved with a unicorn and inscription has been found. Many other seals with animals and Writings have been unearthed. These writings till date have not been deciphered. Further excavations showed that Harappan society was organized. Buildings were constructed on elevated grounds as area was prone to floods. Buildings were made of bricks and with a definite architectural pattern. There was network of streets and bathing areas. Cleanliness was hallmark Of this civilization. Clay figurine of goddesses attests to fact that they practiced and believed in some religion. They domesticated various animals including Cow. Pottery, Textiles and beads Seen give proof of their artisanship. Mode of transport was bull cart. They did built boats as they had maritime trade with Mesopotamia. Trade was of barter system. Mesopotamians called them Meluha. They were called masters of rivers as they built big dams to regulate flow of water to tame floods. They also harvested rain water. Scholars see influence of religion on ritual Washing—akin to modern Hindu practices. People got water from wells, had a good sewerage and drainage system in place, and far advanced than seen in contemporary civilizations. One can Judge their architectural skills by looking at their Dockyards, Granaries’, Warehouse and
Protective walls. Besides cow they domesticated sheep, goat, Bull, Pig. Farmers grew Fruits’, Wheat, Peas and some vegetables. Skeletons unearthed showed teeth in good shape, meaning how much they cared for personal hygiene.
Lack of deciphering of their symbols/Seals deprives us of their politics and governance. It was Primarily an agricultural society with good network of canals in place. A network of their canal System has been excavated at Lothal. At Dolovaria in Kutch 16 reservoirs have been found.
It is very difficult to know their true religion but continuity with later religions is seen. Swastika, figurine of goddesses, Siva worship seen in them finds continuity till date. They had also achieved mastery in measuring length, mass and time. Various other items found are beads, Painted pottery, 3 headed seal, copper bangles and some golden chain. Lothal, Gujarat served as Port town and manufacturing Centre.
Finding of great bath with stairs leading to bath shows they believed in mass bathing, possibly having some religious association. A seal with person in yogi mudra tells us about their belief in
Yogic practices. Dice and toys found tell us type of entertainment they indulged in. There was Outstanding town planning.
Indus civilization was primarily a bronze civilization, centered on
basin of river Indus and now dried up river Saraswati. This civilization reached its peak between 2600BC-1900BC and then started its fall. What exactly caused its fall is debatable. Aryan Invasion theorists say that fall occurred as Aryan’s with superior military equipment defeated them in battle. There are others who believe climatic catastrophe like floods caused their downfall. Differing versions of this civilization are also there. Article in Encyclopedia
Britannica14 describes Indus civilization Dravidian, came later to Egypt/ Mesopotamia and date it 2500BC—1700BC. It is mentioned that Harappans used Mesopotamian model of irrigation. When Indus civilization antedated Sumerian, how could they borrow their model? There are some who believe that Indus language is partly deciphered. An article from American University15 dates this”, civilization 4500—5000 years old, Language not deciphered, did not have canal system and down fall due to Aryan invasion”. Another article in ancient history [time line] dates Indus civilization 5000BC—1500 BC with evidence of religious practices sited16. Same article dates Sumerian civilization 5000BC—1750BC. Indo- Saraswat civilization was much larger than Mesopotamia, more than 1600 sites found and dated between 6500BC— 7000BC by another author17.
It is quite obvious from above not only we have different dates for
this civilization but variance in other details too including its decline. These writers may differ In dates etc. but one thing is certain that they all now acknowledge its antiquity.
INDIA AND ARYAN INVASION
A theory of Aryan invasion in 1500BC was invented who came from nowhere and settled in
Northern India. They subdue a much advanced society, is mind boggling? These so called Aryans were just nomads breeding cattle for living. British rulers incorporated English language to the detriment of local language in schools. Sanskrit, main language of scriptures was demonized. No educational institution was allowed to teach in Sanskrit. Our culture and traditions were declared superstitions. So much has been brain washing that many a times Indians felt ashamed of themselves. History of India just began with this Aryan invasion [1500BC]?
Several Europeans and a few Indian scholars imagined and argued that speakers of Aryan language must have constituted a single race. Then an attempt was made to find their home land from where they migrated to other places including India. South Russia was suggested their homeland from where they migrated to other places including India. It was Mortimer Wheeler who postulated that destruction of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa civilization was brought by
Invading Aryans from central Asia [Wheeler 1946].? Absence of rice and horse in north India was Cited proof of Aryan invasion. This claim stands now refuted as evidence of rice and horse has been established in Harappa times. 18, 19
Till today we have n’t found any evidence of violence between Harapans and so called Aryan
Invaders. There is enough evidence to suggest similarities in religious rites of Harapans and
Vedic Aryans. Yoga is also seen practiced in Harappa times, a hallmark of Vedic period. Indus Civilization represents a phase of Indo Aryan civilization when Aryans of India and Iranians lived together in subcontinent and after split Iranians seem to move to Iran.
This scenario started changing after finds of Mohanjo Daro and Harappa in 1922. By now more than 1000 sites have been excavated. It has now been established beyond doubt that India had an advanced civilization around 3500BC, nearly coinciding with Sumerian civilization whose first King was Akaad [2300BC]. West believed that Sumaria was cradle of human civilization but
Harappa finds should make west rethink about this issue. Theses Harappa’s were having trade With Mesopotamia. Their language has not been deciphered till date. This civilization ended by 1700BC. Lately there have been debates about this so called Aryan invasion to India?
There are different views on this migration of Aryans to India. There are people asserting that no Aryan invasion occurred, asserting Vedic beliefs emerged from Indus valley civilization.
Blavatsky believed in Atlantis origin of Aryans who migrated to India and other parts including Europe. There are some who believe in their German origin [Gustaf Kossinna]. This idea was later picked by Nazi’s and their claim of Aryan superior race continued till their demise. Still there are others who claim Aryans were Indians Dr Subash kak 20, Dass.21
Those who hold to Aryan invasion:-
The proponents of Aryan Invasion hypothesis point to the similarities between Zoroastrianism (the ancient religion of Iran) and the Vedic religion of ancient India. Besides this, similar finds in ancient cemeteries in modern-day India and Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In addition, no trace of horses or chariots has been found in the remains of the Indus Valley culture.
By 4000 BC, most people in Central Asia, like the Scythians, spoke Indo-European languages. Another migration of these people occurred. Those who went west became the Hittites, the Greeks. the Romans, and the Germans. Those who went south-east became the Persians, the Sogdians, and the Aryans who moved into northern India...23
The Aryans used Chariots and Horses. These were unknown in the sub-continent before their arrival. Aryans conquered the native Dravidian.
They conquered the native Dravidian culture by virtue of their superiority due to their horses & Iron weapons.
. The decline of the Indus valley civilization and the abrupt desertion of its settlements could be attributed to Aryan invasion. Vedic Aryans entered India between 1,500 and 1,200 B.C according to this theory.
Max Muller, the principal architect of the Aryan Invasion theory, admitted the purely speculative nature of his Vedic chronology, and in his last work published shortly before his death, The Six Systems of Indian Philosophy, he wrote: "Whatever may be the date of the Vedic hymns, whether 15 hundred or 15,000 B.C.E., they have their own unique place and stand by themselves In the literature of the world."
This Aryan Invasion Theory deprives the inhabitants of India of their Vedic heritage when they Say ‘The wealth of their culture came from foreign soil.’
Through their political power they, enforced their social and religious life upon the native
People. They absorbed the conquered tribes as lower castes in their social order and reserved tribes as Chandalas or the lowest of the lowly.
The Aryan invasion theory has been used for Political and religious advantage in a way that is perhaps unparalleled for any historical idea.
Changing it will thereby alter the very fabric of how we interpret ourselves and our civilization East and West. It is bound to meet with resistance, not merely on rational grounds but to protect the ideologies which have used it to their benefit.
Those who oppose Aryan invasion:--
Since the 1980s, this "Aryan Invasion" hypothesis has been strongly challenged as a myth Propagated by colonial scholars who sought to reinforce the idea that anything valuable in India must have come from elsewhere. Critics of the hypothesis note that there is lack of evidence of any conquest, among other historical and archaeological problems.
The evidence against any such invasion is now far too strong to be taken seriously. To begin With, sites spread over such a vast stretch, measuring well over a thousand miles across would not have been all abandoned simultaneously due to the incursion of nomadic bands at one extremity. Further, there is abundant archaeological evidence including the presence of Sacrificial altars that go to show that the Harappans were part of the Vedic Aryan fold. As a result, it can be said that the Vedic age also ended with the Harappan civilization.
Harappan sites contain many sacrificial altars. Such altars suggest a link between Vedic literatures and Harappan archaeology. It also shows that the Vedic literature could not have been brought in by any invaders. Building altars was very much part of the Harappan archaeology! The Sulba- sutra is the oldest mathematical texts known. A careful comparison of the sulba-sutras with the mathematics of Egypt and old Babylonia led Abraham Seidenberg to conclude:-
"The elements of ancient geometry found in Egypt and old Babylonia stem from a ritual
System of the kind found in the Sulba-sutras."
What is interesting is that the origins of ancient mathematics are to be found in religion and ritual. So the great engineering feats of the Harappans can be seen as secular off-shoots of the religious mathematics found in Vedic literature. Similarly, the 'ritual mathematics' in the Sulba- sutras led eventually to the purely secular achievements of the Harappans like city planning and the design of harbors.
Frawley’s very well-documented article demonstrates that there was no Aryan invasion. The author assures us that this theory is widely questioned in the academic world, and that even Scholars who still accept an outside origin for the Vedic people reject the destructive invasion theory to the advantage of migration, diffusion or mixing with indigenous people.
The theory of Aryan invasion has been long debated. While the linguistic evidence suggested a
Possible relationship between the Vedic people and some inhabitants of ancient Europe, certain Inconsistencies led to its disapproval. Many assumptions have been proved wrong. Based on the new evidence emerging out of the archaeological and anthropological studies, it is now believed that the Vedic tradition was introduced in India much earlier than what Max Muller suggested and that it developed mostly within the sub-continent alongside other traditions.
Frawley shows how recent archaeological findings and a precise reading of Vedic texts
Invalidate each argument usually accepted to justify the invasion. He also states that the Aryan
Invasion theory is an example of European colonialism turned into an historical model. He very Clearly explains how facts and discoveries were molded to fit the “invasion” theory.
Some arguments put forward against the Aryan invasion are mentioned below:--
1.
The native Indians were familiar with horse before the supposed invasion of Aryans.
2.
The word Aryan denoted status and position rather than a race or people.
3.
There is no evidence of any invasion from outside India until Alexander’s time.
4.
Vedic religion did not exist outside India. It developed indigenously. Any similarities with Neighboring cultural groups may be due to contact rather than common origin.
5.
The racial types prevailing in ancient India were the same as those of today.
6.
The skeletons found in the excavations do not suggest the arrival of a new racial type.
7.
Most of the descriptions of the flora and fauna, the geography and climate mentioned in Rigveda suggest to their connection with the Indian sub-continent rather than an arctic colder climate.
8.
The river systems, constellations mentioned in Rigveda suggest to the existence of the Vedic Culture in India long before the supposed invasion of the Aryans.
9.
The excavations at Indus valley urban settlements and the ancient site of Dwarika point to the Continuity of an ancient prehistoric native culture rather than a foreign culture.
10.
The battles mentioned in Rigveda such as battle of ten kings were not fought between Aryans and non-Aryans but among different Aryan groups.
11.
It is difficult to believe that Sanskrit language of the Rigveda people evolved entirely outside the Indian sub-continent and was brought here by invading Aryan along with their scriptures. There is no evidence of any ancient European tribe or nation ever speaking Sanskrit language.
12.
There is no evidence of any European group reciting Vedic mantras or practicing Vedic rituals based on the hymns contained in the Vedas.
13.
India was having a well-developed urban civilization long before the supposed invasion of the Aryans. It is difficult to believe that a group of nomadic and pastoral people would have brought an urban civilization on their horse backs and chariots and introduced it to an already advanced Civilization.
14.
There is no evidence of an Aryan homeland outside of India mentioned anywhere in the Vedas.
15.
No evidence for a foreign intrusion has been found.
16.
There is no archaeological, linguistic, cultural or genetic evidence of invasion.
17.
Archaeological finds are culturally consistent, such as the dancing girl, whose bracelets are Similar to those worn by women of Northwest India today.
The three stone Siva Linga found in Harappa by M. S. Vats in 1940. The worship of the Siva Linga is mentioned in the Maha Narayana Upanishad of the Yajur Veda and is still passionately Practiced today.
The Vedic Culture is indigenous to India:
Ancient Vedic literature have an enormous number of Statements and materials presented in it that can be shown to agree with modern scientific findings. They also reveal a highly developed scientific content
The great Cultural wealth of this knowledge is highly relevant in the modern world. Techniques used to
Show this agreement include: Marine Archaeology of underwater sites (such as Dwarika); Satellite imagery of the Indus-Sarasvati River system; Carbon and Thermoluminiscence, Dating of archaeological artifacts; Scientific Verification of Scriptural statements; Linguistic analysis of Scripts found on archaeological artifacts etc.24
The Sky Epigraphs
Professor Narahari Achar of Memphis University used the pañca.ga Software to locate dates of the celestial events as mentioned by Vyasa in the Mahabharata. This pañca.ga Software was Compiled by a Japanese professor using the planetarium software called Sky Map by NASA used for calculating the relative movement of the celestial bodies in relation to our earth. He applied it to more than 150 references to the stellar positions that are available In Mahabharata. Prof.
Achar mentions of the two Eclipses that happened within the span of fifteen days during the Mahabharata war and the day of the fall of Bhīma and using the pañca.ga software he got the date of the war as having taken place in and around 3000 BCE.25
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, tested water from more than 800 bore wells in Rajasthan, on the old Sarasvati river course and did a sophisticated Tritium analysis in the 250 kilometer length
Of the river bed. It showed that the water of this underground river was of Himalayan glacial
Origin and could be dated to be between 8,000 to 14,000 years old.25
Vedic river Sarasvati :-
It had also been concluded that Balarama travelled on the banks of river Sarasvati in 3000 BCE, Showing that the river Sarasvati was on its final stages of disappearance. Even before Prof. Achar’s study, nearly a century ago, one advocate by name Kota Venkatachalam of Tamilnadu, had come to the same conclusion by a laborious calculation of the celestial events of
Mahabharata war using the Ephemeris.26 Due to geo-physical changes this river shifted its Course. It ran an interrupted course and vanished in to dessert land. Thanks again to archaeological evidence and satellite photography; its full underground terrain has been mapped and is being miraculously restored. The archaeological research work has shown the discovery of Sarasvati river dates back as early as 1812. Lt. Colonel James Todd was the pioneer in this work. In one of his papers, sketch of the Indian desert, he unearthed the evidence of numerous towns and hamlets in the sandy desserts of Rajasthan being scattered and suggested that de-population Occurred in this area due to deficiency of water.
Sindhu Sarasvati Civilization
While dealing with prehistory and proto-history of the ancient Indian civilization, there is a need to briefly review the story of one of the four oldest world civilizations. The Sindhu Sarasvati Civilization is unique. It is a unique living vibrant civilization as its thoughts, teachings and traditions are still practiced by vast number of people in the Indian sub-continent grouped under the term ‘Hindu’s. The land is called as ‘Bharatha Varsha’. The story of the Sarasvati River and the Aryan civilization which originated, developed and left a mark on the world is in itself very Charming. The Sarasvati River itself was a life line of Aryan civilization and features notably in
Rigveda. This civilization was dependent on the abundant flow of Sarasvati River which had its Source in the Himalayas. The Sarasvati River nourished vast territories of land that the river itself and its name were sacred as a Goddess. True to the spirit of Aryan civilization, the river goddess was not named for her bounty and material riches that she provided; but for knowledge and enlightenment of the people who depended upon her. It was a vast river along with its tributaries.
Its flow and volume was gigantic – it’s width at points exceeding ten to twelve kilometers.
Sarasvati, is a river of past. It no longer flows as a regular river. The Indian subcontinent was the
Scene of dramatic upheavals a few thousand years ago. The Northwest region entered a dry Phase, and erosion coupled with tectonic events played havoc with river courses. One of them disappeared. Celebrated as Sarasvati in the Rig Veda and the Mahabharata, this river was rediscovered in the early nineteenth century through topographic explorations by British Officials. Of late, geological studies have probed its evolution and disappearance, while satellite imagery has traced the rivers buried courses. The isotope analyses have dated ancient waters still Stored under the Thar Desert. In the same Northwest, the subcontinent s first urban society the
Indus civilization flourished and declined. But it was not watered by the Indus alone: since Aurel
Stein s expedition in the 1940s, hundreds of Harappans sites have been identified in the now dry
Sarasvati s basin. The rich Harappans legacy in technologies, arts and culture sowed the seeds of Indian civilization as we know it now.
But Sarasvati indeed lives in her proven riverbed, confirmed by many archaeological explorations and vividly pictured by satellite photography. Many scientists of the world, both from India and other countries – prominent among them from France, UK, Europe, and Germany have contributed to the growing knowledge about this river. And in a sense have resurrected the ‘Mythical long lost dormant river’ of Vedic age, providing evidence not only to the time and life of Rig-Vedic age, but to mythology itself.
Historically India has been known as Aryavarta, land of Aryans. Ancestors of Aryans may have Come from Africa or elsewhere but Aryan culture is indigenous and derived from Kshatriya clans of Vedic civilization. By usage and customs there is clear evidence that India had a deep and historic connection with concept of Arya. Nowhere is there historical evidence in central Asia/ Russia where by one could say that Aryans lived there and then migrated to India. Aryan invasion theory was mooted by western writers [Max Muller and others] to show superiority of West over East. Even their date of migration [1500BC] is faulty. Their theory that theses Aryans
[Nomads] defeated advanced Indus people and in a span of just 100 years formed a mighty
Civilization [Vedic civilization] and they fought Mahabharata war in 1400BC --- is unbelievable. Civilizations take centuries to make. Again we see this 1500BC date is misleading as it excludes many historical events prior to 1500BC, namely rule of Solar and Lunar dynasties in India.
Ishvaku founder of solar dynasty is supposed to have ruled around 8000BC. Its last ruler was
Sumitra who was defeated by Nanda In 400BC 27.Nanda was later ousted by legendary
Chandragupta Maurya. Lunar dynasty whose first ruler was Yayti is believed to have ruled— 3500BC28. There were 47 rulers between Yayti and Yudhishthira, Hero of Mahabharata war. Why are these facts being ignored by western writers? Just sticking to 1500 BC invasion theory means negating India’s past and its glory. There are historical data suggesting that Brihadratha dynasty ruled India 1700BC, Pradyota dynasty 799BC28 and Haryanka dynasty in 684BC. How could these dates fit in to Aryan invasion [1500BC]? Hastinapur and Kosala dynasties are supposed to have ruled from 3067BC—1563BC, Brihadratha dynasty from 3067BC-2061BC and Pradyota from 2061BC-1923BC according to another source..29
How could Rigveda earliest manuscript of mankind be written30 in 250—300BC? Lord Buddha
[563BC—483BC] denounced various Brahmanical rituals mentioned in Rigveda. It means
Rigveda must have been written quite earlier. Saraswati River is mentioned in Rigveda 50 times.
Satellite imagery has established that Saraswati River dried up before 1900BC which means
Rigveda must have been written quite earlier [3000BC] as mentioned by some. Dwarka, city of Lord Krishna has been located by marine archeologist [Rao]. It is now established that Dwarka got submerged in sea in 1500BC---1600BC.
A pertinent question for invasion theorists---
Why would invaders praise Saraswati River in their literature which had dried up long back?
[3000BC]. This means absurdity of Aryan invasion in 1500BC.
Indian ancient history needs to be rewritten. If Indus seals when deciphered show Sanskrit as it’s
Language, whole thesis of Aryan invasion will go down in history as greatest bluff spread by West. There are writers who believe Indus civilization is post Vedic. Prof Winternitz31 thinks that beginning of Vedic literature goes back to 2000BC---2500BC. Prof MacDonnell32 says Importance of Indian literature lies in its originality. Pilny and Arrian, Greek historians have even identified 154 kings between Lord Rama and Chandragupta [321BC]. Sanderson Beck in his book, “Literature of India” says that Ramayana and Mahabharata could have occurred around 12000BC---10000BC.33
B.G.Tilak, [The Orion, into antiquity of Vedas, Bombay 1893], dates Vedic civilization between 4000---8000 years. Historian BB Lal gives 5700BC—1400BC as time period of Lord Krishna.
Prof Achar of Memphis University after studying planetary positions mentioned in Srimad Bhagwat has dated Mahabharata war 3067BC34.
Some other dates suggested are:- Manu Vivastava 3102BC.
Lord Rama 5114BC-----1950BC.
Dasaraja war 1900BC.
Mahabharata war 3138BC.
In Valmiki Ramayana for some important events planetary positions have been amply described.
Taking advantage of this P. Bhatnagar80 has come out with 5114 BC as date of birth of Lord
Rama, 5089BC as date of coronation and killing of Megnath 24th Nov 5076BC. Ramsetu, bridge Connecting India with Lanka is one of the relics of Ramayana time present even today, confirmed by satellite photography. This bridge was being used as foot bridge as late as 1480AD when it got submerged in water. Even Al- Baruni [1030AD] mentions about this bridge in his book. Isn’t it enough proof to say that Aryan invasion theory is a lie? How can we ignore ancient historical India just to please pseudo and prejudiced western scholars who want to snub India’s
Wisdom and its glorious past? Instead of declaring Ram Setu as national heritage, some Unscrupulous elements are bent on to dismantle it for navigation purposes. What a shame?
Possibly wanting a western certification?
There have been deliberate attempts to misinterpret Vedas. Karl Sagan acknowledges that
Cosmology of Vedas is akin to science. Oppenheimer, Emerson, German philosopher
Shophauner also acknowledge authenticity of Vedas. It is interesting to note that we have 2500 archeological sites without corresponding literature. At the same time we have abundant Vedic literature without much archeological evidence. Could it be both civilizations were Complimentary to each other or were running parallel? Vedic culture looks to be indigenous through archeology, cultural continuity and by linguistic analysis. Language and symbolism in
Indus seals [swastika, banyan tree, OM, Shiv Puja] are Vedic in origin. Vedas are real and not Mythical as originally thought.
Sahoo, Kivisild, Metspalu etel in 2006 36 stated that concept of people, Language, Agriculture arriving in India through northwest corridor does not hold to scrutiny. Metspalu in 2004 further stated that it is mt DNA lineage of M and N which originated in India which has populated whole Europe and west Asia and not vice versa. This is genetic proof of Aryan Indian origin.
We should here clarify what word Arya means? Word means just noble, it has nothing to do with race or language. Arya denotes certain spiritual and humanistic values and whole Vedic
Civilization was driven and sustained by these values. So, anyone who lived by these set rules was called Arya. This was irrespective of race and language. It also means people living in India be it from north or south [Dravidian] could be called Aryan if upholding Vedic values. Aryan Invasion was intellectual creation of west who wanted to get rid of Jewish heritage of Christianity. One reason of this invasion theory could be biblical belief that whole human race descended from son of Noah who survived flood [2500BC] and Adam and Eve were borne just in 4004BC. Great deal of British Indology was motivated by Christian missionary considerations.
Max Muller was a Christian missionary. This racial theory was replaced by Linguistic invasion
When Max Muller faced opposition. He changed his stance to language based invasion for selfish
Interests. There has never been any scientific basis for Aryan invasion. This was used as a tool of Propaganda and to denigrate any good of East. If we give some thought to this invasion theory, it means Sanskrit and Vedas had foreign origins. Then question comes, is there a country where
Sanskrit is spoken and Vedas are its literature outside India? Answer is blunt NO. India is only
Country in world where Sanskrit is known, spoken and its literature and culture is Veda based. Horse was known to Indians long before 1500BC. Seven rivers [sapt Sindhu] , constellations mentioned in Rigveda refer to India and not any other country. Doesn’t above debunk linguistic Invasion and race invasion of India?
Linguistic paleontology has been used to construct Aryan and Proto indo European culture. John Muir [quoted by Das] stated, “Various Indo-European people have sprung from the gradual dispersion of the ancient Aryan race of India.” Indeed all Europeans, many Africans can have their ancestry to only 4mtDNA which appeared between 10,000—50,000 years ago and Originated in India. Aryan invasion model based largely on linguistic conjectures is totally unjustified.
It is saddening to see that modern Indian scholars are not coming up with realistic version of history. They continue on worn out paths and rely on western translations of Vedic literature
Which is biased and Eurocentric. Many of the Indian scholars have a handicap of not knowing
Sanskrit so fall on western opinion. Indian historians should have really pondered on this idea, “Why Germans are looking to land and culture far away from their land”? This is a scholarship failure. Eurocentric domination of Indian intellectuals. It is a very sad story. We still are slaves to
West even after independence. We seem to have developed inferiority complex after foreign rule of over 300 years. Indian scholars should wake, read original Sanskrit books instead of western translations. Then only can they rewrite India’s past history with all honesty. Let me add some quote here:-
Hegel, philosopher said,” Germans were pupils of Indian sages”.
VEDIC ARYANS
There is not one word in our scriptures, not one, to prove that the Aryans ever came from
Anywhere from outside India....Swami Vivekananda. The whole of India is Aryan, nothing else.” He further stated clearly: “Such words as Aryans and Dravidians are only of philological import, the so called
Craniological differentiation finding no solid ground to work upon.” Any theory worth its salt
Should provide clarity of vision. But not so, the Aryan race concepts. Swami Vivekananda
Correctly pointed out that they instead provide only “a lot of haze, created by a too adventurous Western philology”. Today the tools of science have changed. Today it is not “craniological differentiation” but nucleotide markers in Y-chromosomes. And what Swami Vivekananda
Stated remains true today. The nucleotide markers emphatically reject any invasion from outside India.
Archaeologists again and again state that they fail to trace any movement or invasion into India. Archaelogists even speak of cultural continuities for more than five thousand years with no invasion based break in that continuity… Swami Vivekananda. 37
Greatest bluff of modern times is that Aryans came from outside, defeated locals and settled in
India in 1500BC. This means to negate all historical events of India before 1500BC. This is Completely unsound. Vedas were given by people of India who had been living in India for thousands of years. Archeologists at Harvard, Oxford now agree that there was no Aryan Invasion that displaced Indus people. Vedic culture was either precursor to Indus civilization or early contributor to its culture. This is documented by Professor K. Chandler in his book, “Origin of Vedic civilization”38.
Vedic civilization arose in India long before various suggested dates. Linguistic similarities between European, Iranian and Indian languages made some authors to suggest common origin. This made Sir William Jones to suggest in 1786 that these languages have common source which no longer exists. Schlegel of Germany went as far as to say that European languages are derived from Sanskrit 39
This infuriated western scholars because Sanskrit as mother of European languages hurt their
Eurocentric ideology. To circumvent this they devised a theory that people speaking proto-indo- European came from west Asia/ SE, Europe, invaded India and settled there. It is from India they
Came to Iran. These Indo-Europeans were later called Aryans. In twentieth century Germans Conceived them as Germans, an idea later taken up by Nazi’s.
In 1990’s with new scientific evidence coming from satellite photography, geological study and
Archeological excavations have discredited this invasion theory. Professor Renfrew40 of
Cambridge gives evidence of Indo-Europeans in India as early as 6000BC. Professor Schaffer41
Writes development of civilization in India goes back 6000BC. He further adds that Rigveda Which initially was Saraswati based, later became Ganges based literature due to drying up of river Saraswati[ 1900BC]. He proposed Indus civilization between 26 00BC—1900BC.
By postulating invasion theory authors ignored India’s traditional history and even Vedic literature.
Other civilizations have left their mark by way written documents and inscriptions. In India Writing came very late. Till writing came everything was transmitted orally. Purana writing was declared myth by west as its write up did not match up to western impressions about India. It is true Puranas deal with creation of Universe, gods, demons but they do write about history. Later Writers not only have interpolated them but put in additional material in them, which makes it difficult for a subsequent reader to separate historical event from added material. This makes some to doubt their authenticity. Nowhere in Puranas and in Rigveda are we told about foreign Land/home?
How did this invasion theory originate? Europeans who were trading with India had to find alternative route as land route through Arab world got jammed because of conflict between Christians and Muslims. West found sea route and in order to show their superiority they had to devise various means to prove it. One of the means they invented was Invasion theory. Secondly, they demonized local traditions and beliefs. Local language Sanskrit was ignored and English
Was forced on common man. It was postulated that India was no man’s land, people came from Outside and gave it a civilization. Now question for them was to find which country they came from? This home land had different connotations for different people. Nordic, Iranian, Atlantis,
German and South Russia [Central Asia] were countries mooted as home land of so called Aryan
People who invaded India and date fixed was 1500BC.Out of these homeland countries Central
Asia [South Russia] has maximum votaries. Linguistic paleontology has been used as a tool to
Construct Aryan culture and proto Indo-European culture. There is really no proof to prove what Language South Russian [Kurgs] spoke at the time of this so called migration. Totally hypothetical, only Eurocentric scholars stick to this hypothesis. It was suggested that horse was Unknown to Indian’s and these Aryans came on horses to India and defeated locals to establish themselves. But it may be mentioned here that horse was known animal in Punjab, India as far back as 2500BC. Plenty of horse fossils have been found in India giving lie to people who said Horse came from outside to India42. Dereivka horse, unearthed in Ukraine dated 4000BC proved later to be hoax. Close association of Indo-Europeans with horse does not show any connection With Russia but with India. Similarities between Indo-Europeans and Austronesian cultures
Indicate India was the original homeland. DNA studies have shown Cows moved from India to Ukraine and not vice versa. Sun, Fire and animal worship are seen in all ancient civilizations.
Just to deduce inferences from these practices is highly erroneous.
Road map given by invasion theorists: --- Indo-European to Central Asia, then two branches, one goes to Iran and other comes to India. We will show later that it is from India people went to Iran and Europe and not vice versa.
Word Aryan applies to language and not race, said Max Muller, a profounder of invasion theory. But later writers conveniently used Aryan for race. This means invasion theorists who based their theory on linguistic premise where replaced by race invasion.
T. Burrow 43 admits Aryan invasion of India is not recorded in any document, nor can be traced
Archeologically. John Muir quoted by Das states 44, “that various Indo-European people have
Sprung from the gradual dispersion of the ancient Aryan race of India, such dispersion being
Occasioned by political/religious causes”. Iranian tradition tells us that their ancestors came from
Outside but nowhere Rigveda tells Vedic people entered Punjab from outside. It is clear that Dravidians was spoken in south India and Indo-European in north India and not in South Russia as claimed by Invasionists.
Archeologist Mark Kenoyer 45 holds that invasion theory is completely unsupported by linguistic,
Literary and Archeological evidence. Kenoyer holds that Indus script can be traced at least 3300BC [Sumerian civilization]. Archeologist Kennedy 46 states no Aryan skeletons have been Found in Indus valley different from skeletons of indigenous ethnic groups.
Rigveda nowhere mentions about migration or some homeland outside India. All evidence be it
Archeological, Anthropological and Vedic literature point to Vedic civilization was indigenous to Northwest India. Geological data also suggests demise of Indus civilization to climatic change than to invasion.
When Vedic people did not come from outside, how could their language come from outside? It is logical to think that their language which was Sanskrit came from the place of their living and that is India. Sanskrit went with them to Iran and Europe where they went later. Vedic Civilization came around 1000BC—1200BC is putting cart before horse. These dates are west
Created to suite their Eurocentric ideology. It is interesting to note that Max Muller who Postulated invasion theory was a believer of biblical date of creation, which is 4004 BC. He had to fit in dates accommodating biblical ideas of world. Same author in his later writing wrote, “Vedas are great wisdom whatever be their date 1500 0r 15000BC”. Different western authors have given different dates of this civilization depending on their personal dispensation and Ignoring scientific evidence. Encyclopedia Britannica dates early Vedic civilization to
1500BC—800 BC and late Vedic civilization to 800BC—500 BC. These dates easily ignore Various ancient historical events. Rigveda, oldest human scripture mentions Saraswati River 60 times in its narrative. And this river dried up earlier than 1900BC. River Saraswati was reduced to trickle by 3000BC and dried up completely by 1900BC. From this one can easily surmise that that Rigveda must have been written much earlier than 3000BC as in Rigveda Saraswati River is described as mighty river. Rajaram 47 puts beginning of Vedic tradition, no later than 3500BC and its end before 2000BC. Mahabharata describes Saraswati River as a seasonal river. Since it dried up completely by 1900BC, Mahabharata should be before 1900 BC. Since it still is a Seasonal river, Rajaram and Frawley 48 put date of Mahabharata in 3000BC. If Rigveda tradition began before 3500BC, this would antedate it to Harappa and Mesopotamia.
Maurice Winternitz, 49 German writers put Vedic tradition at some time before2400BC, bare minimum. If Mahabharata occurred around 3000BC and we add 1900 years as incubation time as
Suggested by Winternitz for civilization to evolve then date of Rigveda jumps to 4900 BC. By Using astronomical data Tilak 50 dated Rigveda 6000BC.
Some of the dates given by Frawley 51 are:-
6500 BC—3100 BC. This he called Pre- Harappans, early Vedic. [Period 1]
3100 BC—1900 BC. This he called mature Harappa, period of 4 Vedas. [Period 2]
1900 BC---1000 BC. This he labeled late Harappa, late Vedic and Brahmana period. [Period 3]
Professor Aggarwal gives following dates:-- Rigveda----7000BC—4000BC.
End of vedic age--------------------------------------------------------3750BC.
End of Ramayana and Mahabharata period-------------------- -3000BC.
Development of Indus civilization----------------------------------3000BC---2200BC.
10000 BC. [Dr Siddarth dates Rigveda 52 ]
Such is variance in dates that these have become subject of big discussion now.
Kenoyer 53 anthropologist shows one seal of Indus valley civilization showing deity in yoga position. This further shows Indus civilization was not prevedic. If Indus people practiced yoga, adopted sthapatya Vedic architecture for building, it means Vedic traditions were well established in India during Indus valley civilization.
A stone has been unearthed in Western India having Devanagari script. It is dated 3000BC. Vedic tradition was oral to start with, script came much later. Winternitz puts Vedic traditions before 4900BC according to his formula.54
Text books still talk of Mesopotamia as cradle of human civilization ignoring finds of Mehrgarh
[6500BC---7000BC], Vedic civilization and even Harappa civilization. How long back urban Civilization began in India is difficult to know. Archeology has shown that people who were hunter gatherers lived in India 40000 years back. 100,000 years back there were humans in India Who had 20th century man’s brain size. Stone axes, other primitive chopping tools have been found in northern India dating to 500,000 BC.55
Since Vedic traditions started orally, writing came late, and it is difficult to date them exactly but for sure before 3000BC, putting nail on invasion theory [1500BC]. There is evidence of
Continuity of same people with same traditions from ancient till present. Mahabharata lists whole
Course of river Saraswati hence has to be before drying up river Saraswati, 3000BC. Vedic Society is much more open, Creative and Spiritual. Caste system came much later due to greed of Brahmins who wanted to dominate society.
5000BC Paintings have been found in Brahm Kund Ki Dungari and Budhi Jeengore in Rajasthan.
This Vedic civilization is much older than Egypt and Mesopotamia. Times of India, dated
30.5.1992, published an article showing prehistoric paintings on Kanera rocks, Rajasthan dating
50,000—60,000 year old. Science magazine, 23.2.2010, reported how people lived before and after
Colossal Toba volcanic eruption 74000 years ago in India 56 This shows presence of man in India Long before other civilizations on earth.
Linguists date Rigveda 1000BC which is highly erroneous. Rigveda mentions river Saraswati in
Its text. When we know with reasonable certainty that river Saraswati dried before 1900BC, how
Can we accept linguist date as correct one? For Tilak Vedic period began in 4500BC57 and bulk
Of hymns of Rigveda were composed between 3500BC-2500BC. Astronomical observations in
Rigveda and in other texts including Puranas are best and reliable evidence in dating these texts. Dharampal,58 states in his write up that Indian zodiac originated in 4300BC and rejects any idea of astronomical statements in Sanskrit texts being fabrications. Why would Aryans who came to India in 1500BC [invasion theorists] talk about river Saraswati in their text when same river had dried up long back [3000BC]? This should be food for thought for invasion theorists.
Rigveda is not a history book but a book speaking about human mind. It does provide geographical data by mentioning various places and its narrative also writes about Kings.
Rigveda hymns clearly show Indo-European language speaking people of time lived in Punjab, Bihar and in Rajasthan, Afghanistan and up to Maharashtra. Its various recensions have not come down to us in complete form. It is absurd to suppose that elaborate royal genealogy shown in texts is a figment of imagination of writers. Puranas give traditional history. Scene opens with division of territories among sons of Manu. Traditional account does not speak of Aryan Invasion nor does it say about any conflict between Aryans and non-Aryans.
Just as four Vedas described human mind in hymns, Puranas besides other things give general
Lists of various dynasties along with traditions down to the time of Mahabharata. There are 18 Puranas. Brahma Purana, Vayu purana and Matsya are oldest. So we should be looking for history in Puranas than in Vedas. It is absurd to think that royal genealogy presented in them is Imaginary.it is important while giving opinion on matter we take opinion of both Vedas and Puranas together. Puranas commence with traditional history, 10 sons of Manu, Ishavaku, founder of solar dynasty is one of them. . Lord Rama belonged to solar dynasty. From Sudyumna kingdom we get Puru and Yadu dynasty. It is from Yadu dynasty we get Lord Krishna. Other dynasties are not mentioned here as there role in future history of India is limited.. Puranas, Epics, and local traditions locate Ishavaku dynasty to Ayodhya.. It is king Bhagirathi of this dynasty who founded Kosala kingdom. Combined evidence of Vedas and Puranas cannot be faulted and accused of conspiracy. Vedas and Puranas are being accused of conflicting versions of history. The fact Vedas seem to confirm the Puranic accounts is a proof of validity as geography mentioned is matching in both. Kings found in Vedas are found in traditional Puranas also. Many events antedate Rigveda hence logical to conclude that puranas should have talked about outside homeland. This also invalidates invasion theory.
Puranas locate different dynasties in different parts of northern India. Purus are located in Punjab. Ved Samhita gives us evidence of movement of Aryans from Punjab to other parts of north—east. According to puranas ancestors of Puru, Anus and DRUHYUS lived in south east Uttar Pradesh. Same purana tells us later they migrated west wards and divided themselves into various groups.. Purus occupied Punjab, Anus went to Kashmir and nearby areas and DRUHYUS went into north west Punjab [present
Afghanistan]. Puranas provide incontrovertible evidence that ultimate homeland of Indo-Europeans lay in northern India [homeland of Vedic Aryans and Iranians]. Rigveda is good source to tell us and corroborates historical events mentioned in Puranas.
Iranian and west Asian mythologies have direct links with Vedic mythology. Even East European mythology has some common elements with Vedic mythology. Vedic culture and language stands senior to Iranian, West Asian and European languages and culture. Rigveda and Puranas provide strong evidence that India was homeland to Indo-European family of languages. Later Vedic culture spread all over India. ANUS spread to West Asia and Druhyus to Europe. This is real picture of Aryans and their spread to West Asia and Europe. Road map given by invasionists that Aryans came from central Asia is proved false and fraudulent.
How long back urban civilization begin in India? Archeology has shown us that hunter gatherers lived in central India 40,000BC. As early as 100,000 years there were humans in India with 20th century man’s brain size. Stone axes other primitive tools over 4—5 thousand old have been found in northern India. Since Vedic tradition started orally, it has left no foot prints in stones, difficult to date. But certainly it dates before 3000BC, possibly even earlier. What is certain is that Max Muller date of 1500BC invasion is a blunt L.ie.
. Science and math originated in India and went to Greece much later. Zend Avesta of Persia took many names from Vedic pantheon. Mitra ,Indra ,Varuna are seen in seals of treaty between Hittites and
Mitanni. This shows Vedic influence in Mediterranean before Trojan War. Many Greek gods are similar to
Vedic gods. This shows influence of Vedic civilization on Greece. This cannot be other way round as Vedic civilization preceded Greek civilization. India remained light house for advance of any civilization on earth.
We will end this chapter with quote of Mark Twain ,” India is cradle of the human race ,birth place of human speech ,the mother of history ,the grandmother of legend and great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most constructive materials in history of man are treasured up in INDIA only”
GENETICS AND ARYAN ORIGIN
We have seen till now that there is no written document [Vedic texts included] and
Archeological evidence to prove that Aryans came from outside, defeated locals and founded a Civilization here. On the contrary we have proved in this write up that Aryans were Indians and they spread out from India to Iran and Europe.
Now let us see what gene migration tells us about origins of Aryans. Presently we see DNA tests are done to prove or disapprove a legal claim, prove parentage, trace culprits and so on. This is due to fact that DNA testing is trustworthy and highly reliable.
Finding of oldest human mtDNA in Africa became basis for African EVE and human origin.
Modern human subspecies spread from Africa, road map given of this migration bypassed India.
It may be mentioned here LO, L1, L2, L3, mtDNA has been found in some tribes of Africa.
From Africa we are told that L3 gene moved out and road map given to us tells that this African Gene went to Europe and from there to Central Asia to India. It has now been found that rest of the world had been populated from mtDNA lineage of M and N and Place of origin of both were found to be India.
In India DNA testing has shown that Indians have M and N type genes. These are supposed to be daughters of L3 which migrated from Africa. It is interesting to note that we don’t have M and N
Outside India. M and N are basic lineages of these areas, their oldest portions still found in India.
Then N split into R and U. M and N branched and spread further after originating from India. R Which is branch of N is seen in China and Southeast Asia. U is another branch of N which is found in Europe. Kivisild 59 proved that U originated in India. First migration from India went to
Australia and Southeast Asia. Metspalu who studied over 50,000 genes came to conclusion that
Asia, Europe and America have genes which originated in India. He further said that Indian
DNA is oldest one. His paper is quoted by Dr Priyadharshi, 60 U is predominant in Europe, West
Asia and India. Presence of U in Europe and in India made ‘Invasion’ theorists to claim that Aryans coming to India from west. They completely forgot what Kivisild had said, “U originated from N, home land of N is India”.U5a is a derivative of U which originated from N [is found in Europe]. Narmada man, a human fossil found in Hathnora, Gujarat, India is being dated 250,000 years old. Kennedy, 61 an anthropologist believes that this is oldest Homo sapiens Unearthed with cranial capacity of 1500ml which is close to modern man dimension. DaLumle and Sonakia again quoted by Priyadharshi state that Narmada man could be ancestor to all Indians. Malasse Dabricourt says African skull lacks Taurus angularis hence cannot be our Ancestor. But Taurus angularis is seen in Rhodesia man who came from India62. DNA studies have demolished myth that India was” No man’s land’. It is from India that rest of the world got Populated. This is further corroborated by Kumar whose study shows that 15000 years back people migrated out of India to South Asia.
Kivisild63 wrote genetic heritage of earliest settlers within Indian tribal and caste system is still
Persisting. This disapproves the theory that man stayed in India for short time, went out and
Came back to India. Genetically in India we see no north or south as there has been enough Hybridization amongst two.
Sahoo etal, 64 “The perennial concept of people, language and Agriculture arriving in India Together through northwest corridor does not hold up to scrutiny. Recent claims for a linkage of haplo group J2, L R1a and R2 with a contemporaneous origin for the majority of the Indian castes, paternal lineages from the outside the subcontinent are rejected, although our findings do Support a local origin of haplogroup F and H”.
Ukraine received Cows from India has been shown by Kantanen in his study65. Underhill 2009 66 states absence of M45 8 chromosome outside Europe speaks against substantial patrilineal gene from East Europe to Asia and India. Oppenheimer rejects 3500 BP arrival of Caucasians in India.
He further states, “Just as imaginary invasion theory has left no written records or archeological Imprints, it is invisible at genetic level too”. M17 as a marker for Aryan invasion is rejected. It is suggested M17 could have come to Europe via Central Asia after reaching there from India.
Indeed all European and some Africans can trace their ancestors to South Asia.67 A genetic
Connection between India and Europe has been established though very old [50,000 years]. Indian
MtDNA has been seen not subdividing according to linguistic or caste lines. Subcontinent‘s gene
Landscape was formed long before proposed Aryan invasion. There is also evidence that Dravidian pool has Indian origin. In fact Luis Quintana—Murci 68, Macaulay 69 ,Oppenheimer 70 have proposed that H. Sapiens migrated out of Africa, reached South West Asia around 75000 BP and then moved to other parts of world. It means except for Africans, all humans have Ancestors in North West of Indian peninsula. Indeed nearly all Europeans and many Americans can trace their ancestry to South Asia [Allman WF].71
Oppenheimer72, 73 wrote, “For me and Kivisild South Asia is logically the ultimate origin of M17 and his ancestors. We find high diversity of M17 in Pakistan, India, and East Iran than in Caucasus. M17 is not only more diverse in South Asia than in Central Asia but diversity Characterizes its presence In isolated tribes of South thus undermining theory of M17 as marker of invasion of Aryans. M17 could have gone from India through Kashmir to Central Asia, Russia and finally to Europe”. It may be mentioned here that Aryan invasion theorists were
Postulating M17 as a marker for their imaginary theory. This marker stands debunked by above.
In view of above road map of gene migration is as follows: ---
From Africa L3 gene moves to India. Genes M and N develop in India. M and N migrate out of India and spread. N in due course mutates in to R [seen in China, South Asia] and U which is seen in Europe. U further mutates in to U5a seen in Europe.
In conclusion genetics also debunks colonial history of telling world that Aryans invaded India in 1500BC. This Eurocentric and biased attitude of western scholars needs to be changed. India needs to be given due place in history and its role in providing world a top class civilization, Where motto of life was to know unknown, needs to be acknowledged.
Will Durant,” India was the mother land of our race and Sanskrit the mother of Europe’s languages. India was the mother of our philosophy, much of our mathematics, of the ideals embodied in Christianity………… In many ways, mother India is the mother of all of us”. Mind You Durant was American historian, not Indian.
VEDIC ARYANS AND THEIR CIVILIZATION
It is a period during which Vedas and other texts were composed/written. This period according to western writers started after Aryans came from somewhere in central Asia in 1500BC, dates already refuted by us. We have shown earlier that Aryans did not come from outside but were Indian residents. When they did not come from outside so language they have is totally Indian,
Which is Sanskrit. There is a strong possibility that Sanskrit is mother of Proto-Indo-European Languages. Often talked Aryan and Dravidian conflict is a myth [TOI Sept25, 2009]. There is tremendous confusion about word” Aryan.” Max Muller proponent of invasion believed word applied to language. But there are writers to whom word means Race. Puranas and Epics do talk of migration outside to establish kingdoms but not Aryans coming from outside. Vishnu purana11.3.1, written nearly 2000 years back writes” Bharata” is a country north of ocean and South of snowy mountains. This clearly explodes myth that Britishers made country, India as it exists today. Epics written have been rewritten and modified depending on local traditions.
Heroes are deified and their achievement’s exaggerated to immortalize them. But attempt always
Has been to stick to basic story. This gives them authenticity of history. A dense network of “Tirths” and other holy sites has led to creating sacred geography of India. This has helped in national integration plus preserved rich culture till today. There is no mention of Aryans as white and non-Aryans as black in old texts available. Initially everything was transmitted orally.
Writing came late hence some doubt their genuineness. One needs to read Vedic texts along Puranas to come to firm conclusion. Reading them separately can lead to erroneous conclusions.
Puranas locate different dynasties in different parts of India.
Coming to Aryans it is clear they were tribals, pastoral society. These people were in search of fresh pastures which they found in Gangetic belt. These people took along with them whatever they could take with them including local traditions. Aryans lived in tribes and with passage of time each tribe established its own area and later kingdom. King became absolute ruler and
Brahmin enjoyed high place in society. Agriculture was there main profession. Western scholars
Who believe they came from outside believe that they brought with them distinctive religious
Practices and traditions, a belief which can be contested. Rigveda describes a conflict between Bharatas whose chief was Sudas against a confederation of ten kings. This battle was fought near river Ravi. Ten tribes which joined hands against Bharata’s were Puru, Yadu, Turvasha,
Anu, Druhyu, Alina, Bhalanas, Pktha, Siva and Vishanm. This battle was won by Sudas. "Here
the remarkable tradition is recorded that Paijavana, i.e., Sudas who was so famous for his sacrifices and who is celebrated in the Rig Veda as the patron of Vishwamitra and enemy of Vashishta, was a Shudra." Sudas was a king and his coronation ceremony was performed by the Brahma-Rishi, Vashishta. Later Bharata’s and Purus merged in to one and formed Kuru dynasty.78
This Kuru kingdom was also joined by other tribes. Vedic religion started shaping up later. Vedic hymns were collected and transcribed and new rituals developed. Vedic religion amalgamated some native culture in it. Later caste system developed. Aryan society was
Egalitarian. Vedic house hold was patriarchal and patrilineal. Institution of marriage was
Important and sacrosanct too. People consumed milk products, vegetable and fruits. Meat also Was consumed; its prohibition came much later when various philosophies took shape. There was division of labour which later turned in to caste system. Emergence of monarchial states later led to emergence of Varaha hierarchy. Economy was pastoralism and agriculture. Early Vedic age
Was a bronze age. And the late Vedic period was Iron Age. They had various professions such as Warriors, Priests, Framer, Artisan and Craftsman to name a few. Vedic forms of belief are one of the precursors of modern Hinduism. People believed in transmigration of Souls, after life. Many of the concepts of Indian philosophy adopted later like Dharma, Karma etc. trace their roots to Vedas. Ritualistic traditions of Vedic religion are preserved in traditional Srauta tradition. Srauta tradition lays emphasis on ritual. Horse sacrifice [Ashvamedha] started being Practiced. A horse will be let loose, if horse is caught by someone/king then a battle with the Person/king will be fought. The Looser had to give booty to winner. Soma and Sura were popular drinks. People used Cotton, Wool, and Animal skin for clothing. Brahmin was symbol of purity, good conduct and teaching. Kshatriya associated with strength, fame and rule. Vaishya involved
In business and Shudras were involved in service of higher Varnas. Household was an important Unit headed by Grihapti.141
This Vedic period is described in two periods, Early and Late. Early period is from 1750 BC--- 1000BC and Late period is from 1000BC---500BC. In early period Rigveda starts religious hymns and various stories and myths. There is mention of political organization, Social and Economic order. Varnas, Agriculture and details of types of marriage etc. are written. Vedic religious practices are written in detail. Main deities mentioned are Indra, Agni, Soma, and Mitra- Varuna, Sun, Vayu, Prithivi, Aditi [mother of gods.] Universe origin, yoga and some elements of Vedanta philosophy are mentioned.
Late Vedic period [1000BC—500BC]: Concept of marriage and its rules become strict so gets Varna order. Various Kingdoms are mentioned in detail including their jurisdiction.
Mahajanapadas take birth. Kshatriyas become powerful and service of Brahmins is utilized in governance. King became all powerful. Agriculture is mentioned as main economy hence attempt to grab land which would mean war also with neighbor. The compilation of Mahabharata and Ramayana was done in this period. In the late Vedic period, Samhitas, Brahmana prose and Sutra language takes birth.
Kuru kingdom 74 declined after their defeat by non-Vedic tribes. By 600BC political units
Consolidated in to large kingdoms called Mahajanapadas. Process of urbanization began in these Kingdoms. 16 Kingdoms were formed which will be detailed later. By 500BC 4 out of 16 Mahajanpada gained prominence by annexing others. These 4 were Kosala, Magadha, Avanti, and Vatsa. Magadha later has a big role in Indian history.
The end of Vedic India is marked by linguistic, Cultural and political changes. Shramana
Movement [including Buddhism, Jainism] challenged Vedic authority later. Hinduism evolved over a period of time.
It is quite obvious that Mathematics and science originated in India. From India it went to Arabia and Greece, Persia. Many Rigveda gods like Indra, Mitra, and Varuna find their name in some Persian texts[ Zend Avest of Persia]. Theses gods also are seen in seals of treaty between Hittites and Mattani. This shows Vedic influence in Mediterranean prior to Trojan War.75 There are many Greek gods having similarities with Vedic gods. Indian civilization not only preceded
Egyptian, Sumerian civilization but significantly influenced Greece. This Vedic religion with its
Rituals and rites got amalgamated in day to day life of Indians and is now known as Hinduism. Hinduism is interface between Vedic and local traditions. Dense network of “Tirths” and other holy sites created sacred geography and integrated nation culturally.
KINGDOMS AND MAHAJANPADAS
Mahajanpadas 76 77
Historical records show that there were 16 kingdoms in ancient India [1000BC—600BC] 76, 77. Mahajanapadas took shape after tribal organizations reorganized themselves and formed
Janapadas [States]. Each Janapadas tried to dominate other. In this process of reorganization
Democracy was replaced by Kingship. Sixteen Janapadas which took shape were as follows:-
1.Kashi:--Capital was in present Banaras. It covered area of present day Varanasi.Kashi vishwanath is famous temple of this area
2. Panchala:--This covered Gangetic Uttar Pradesh with its capital at A. panchala.Kannauj became Centre of higher studies , art and culture of this mahajanpada.
3. Surasena:- Its capital was at Mathura. This place was strong hold of Yadvas. Lord Krishna is associated with this place.
4. Malla:----- THIS mahajanpada covered Eastern Uttar Pradesh with capital at Kushinara. This janapada is mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts also.
5. Matasya:-- This mahajanpada covered areas of Rajasthan [Jaipur ,Alwar]. Viratnagri was its capital.
6. Kuru :---- This covered areas of present Haryana Punjab and Delhi ,had its capital at Hastinapur. THIS JANAPADA RULED FOR LONGER PERIOD, GOT INVOLVED IN MAHABHARATA WAR.
7. Kosala:---- This mahajanpada covered areas of present Uttar Pradesh ;Faizabad area]. This kingdom is involved with solar dynasty and Lord Rama and epic Ramayana.Ishvaku founded it.
8. Avanti :-----This covered central India [Malwa region] ,had capital at Ujjain. Its famous king was Vikramaditya. This king is known for valor and intelligence.
9. Vatsa :----- Capital at Kaushambi ,covered areas of present Uttar Pradesh [Allahabad].
10. Gandhara:- Taxila was its capital ,covered Afghanistan and parts of present Rawalpindi.
11. Kamboj: -- Its capital was at Rajpura, covered parts of Kashmir [Poonch area]
12. Magadha :--Rajgir was its capital . This janapada covered areas of Bihar] Patna , Gaya]. Its famous rulers were Bimbisara, Ajatshatru.
13 Chedi :-- This covered areas of present day Bundelkhand , had capital at Shuktimati.
14. Vriji:-- This covered areas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh with capital at Vaishali.It was a confederation of nine clans.
15. Anga :- THIS COVERED PARTS OF Bihar [Bhagalpur area] , capital at Champa.
16. Assaka :-- This covered parts of southern Maharashtra , capital at Potana
.
Out of 16 mahajanpadas only 4 continued by 500BC-600bc. 106. These 4 were Kosala, Avanti, Vatsa and Magadha. They were either monarchies or republics. Their language was Sanskrit.
. Now we will talk in some detail about only two dynasties, Kuru and Kosala as these are connected with two great Indian epics, RAMAYANA and MAHABHARATA.
Kuru kingdom
Kuru 78 was name of Aryan tribe in northern India. By 1200—850BC area developed in to state level society. Area became dominant political and cultural Centre during reign of King Parikshit and king Janamejaya but declined in importance by 500BC. Kuru ruled Ganga-Jumna doab Including modern Haryana. Kuru tribe was formed by merger of Bharata clan with Puru clan and was a dominant force from 1200BC—800BC. Its capital was in Hastinapur but later shifted to Indraprastha, which falls in modern Delhi. Parkshit and his son Janamajaya were its famous rulers. Kuru’s decline started with its defeat by Panchalas and capital shifted to Kaushambi.
To aid king in governance priests developed a new set of rituals to uphold social order and
Strengthen class hierarchy. Horse sacrifice was a way for powerful king to assert his dominance. Epic” Mahabharata” tells of conflict between two clans of Kurus. Mahabharata war, historical basis [ some doubt] is dated from1000BC—to 3067BC by different writers depending on the tools they applied to arrive at dates. Kurus were successful in governing whole of northern India. A brief of this war along with some aspects of holy Bagvat Gita will be written when we talk about Vedic literature and Epics.
Kosala Kingdom
Ayodhya was capital of Kosala kingdom .79 Its founder was king Ikshavaku. Lord Rama is from same lineage. Whole epic Ramayana revolves around Lord Rama from his birth to kingship
Which follows after defeat of Lankan king Ravana. Two sons of Lord Rama ruled different areas. Lava ruled from city which was called Stravasti and Kusa from Kushvati. A colony of Kosala rajahs existed in present Madhya Pradesh which was called Dakshina Kosala. Lord Rama’s
Mother Kausalya was from this kingdom. Lord Rama’s influence extended from north of India to South including Lanka. He had good relations with southern kingdoms, Kishkanda was one of them. Brother of Lord Rama Bharata colonized and founded Takshilla, Laxman founded Laxmanpura, present day Lucknow, and Shatrughna founded Mathura after destroying forest king Madhu. Details of this solar dynasty from its founder to King Parsenjit, who is mentioned in Mahabharata, are to be seen in Puranas. The King not only offered protection but lived himself by example. There was no border security those days. A defeated king was asked to pay one time tribute and would be invited to sacrifice ceremony. New kingdoms were formed when a major Clan produced more than one king in generation. Kosala kingdom was later absorbed in Magadha Kingdom.
ARE LORD RAMA AND LORD KRISHNA HISTORICAL?
There have systemic attempts by western writers to label Ramayana and Mahabharata epics with no historicity. Divinity is definitely a matter of faith but historicity is proof of one’s existence. If Lord Rama and Lord Krishna were not historical, how come we have existence of places and traditions mentioned in Ramayana and Mahabharata even today after a gap of over 5000 years? What about Ramsetu which is being dated by some 5076BC? What about submerged Dwarika city located in Gujarat [Rao].
James Mills and Charles Grant who were assigned to write history of India never visited India. Their sole purpose was to tell students that India had no civilization and its literature is a fabricated trash. This they wrote despite there being existence of voluminous literature of Vedic Period. Whole idea was to discredit India. Al Birauni writes in 1030AD about Lord Rama and
Ramsetu. Akbar Ramayana 1588AD writes about historicity of Lord Rama. Research done by
Sri Lankan government has shown that there is evidence of king Ravana’s palace and other Places mentioned in Ramayana. This gives credence of theory that Lord Rama was a historical Figure.
If we do a serious study of Bhagwat Puran and other related literature, one can make reasonable guess of events as mentioned in Epic Ramayana. In Bhagwat while describing an event position Of stars is clearly mentioned. Let us do convergence in literature, archeology and local traditions and we can easily find facts. For example it is mentioned that prince Bharata while travelling from Kaikeyi to Ayodhya crossed river Sarasvati. This river has dried up nearly 3000BC. Other rivers mentioned in text are present in same order even today. This should give us time frame of Bharata’s travel. Ancient Indian’s used stars as clock and position of stars while describing a historical event. MR P. Bhatnagar80 while publishing his book, “Dating the era of lord Rama”, Using planetarium software has come out with following dates:-
1.
Birth of Lord Rama--------------------------------------------------------------------10th January, 5114BC
2.
Coronation-------------------------------------------------------------------------------4th January, 5089BC
3.
Khar dushan encounter---------------------------------------------------------------5077BC
4.
Megnath killed--------------------------------------------------------------------------Nov , 5076BC
5.
War----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20th sept ,5076BC
6.
Hanuman meets Sita------------------------------------------------------------------12.9. 5076BC Author used the method which he calls Archeo-astronomy. To account for discrepancy in birth date which falls on Chetra Navmi author says for every 72 years one day is to be added [astrological correction/ necessity]
Professor Achar of Memphis University using star positions as mentioned in Bhagwat has come out with date of Mahabharata war---3067BC.81It is true we don’t have relics of this period. Reason for this is huge time gap from today, oral transmission, and writing came late, vandalism by later rulers etc. One relic of Ramayana time is Ramsetu, bridge between India and Sri Lanka. Its Presence has been established by satellite photos. Al -Baruni 1030AD mentions about this foot bridge existing between India and Lanka. This got submerged in sea as late as 1480AD.Ramsetu
Is mentioned in Ramayana as 100 Yojanas in length and 10 Yojanas in width. As on today this
Submerged bridge is 35Km in length and 3.5 Km in breadth. This ratio of 1:10 is not just
Coincidence but another proof of its existence in ancient past. Even past Jaffna kings minted Coins with word Setu embossed in it. Its unique curvature indicates it is manmade and not a geographical occurrence. Land on both sides of bridge is geographically dated 1,750,000 years Old. Ram Setu is being dated 5076BC.
It is interesting to note that Rama veneration was not confined to India alone but spread to Far East, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia. In Thailand king still takes title of Rama.
If Rama were not a historical figure, how come veneration outside India would be possible?
When we look at Solar dynasty of which clan Lord Rama belonged we see 51 kings preceded
him and 32 followed him of his dynasty. Last ruler of solar dynasty was Bridbala who was killed by Abhimanyu in Mahabharata war. Valmiki has written biography of Lord Rama in Rama’s time only; later writers have added lot of material to the book but retained basic story. Historian, B.B.LAL82 dates Lord Krishna any time between 5700BC—1400BC. Kalhana dates Mahabharata war in 2449BC. As per Saptarishis calendar Mahabharata war is dated3711BC.
Sanderson Beck83 in his book “Literature of India” gives time frame of 12000—10000 years for
Ramayana and Mahabharata. Pilny and Arrian Greek historians have identified 154 kings from Lord Rama to Chandra Gupta Maurya[321BC] There are writers who say between king Parikshit and Nanda dynasty over 1050 years elapsed. Ishvaku founder of solar dynasty is reported to have ruled in 8000BC. Last king of this dynasty was Sumitra who was ousted by Nanda in 400BC84. Rajaraman and Frawley 85 date Mahabharata 3000BC. From these above mentioned dates it becomes obvious that Lord Rama and Krishna were historical figures. Different dates by different by writers could be due to tools they used to determine the dates.
•
Coins of Lord Krishna and Balarama have been found in Kabul [date 300BC]. Submerged
Dwarika city has been found of Gujarat coast ,dated between 1500BC, a pillar was erected by
Heliodors in honour of Lord Krishna speaks of Krishna as person not as myth. Two submerged cities, 150feet deep in water have been carbon dated, 7500—12000 year near Gujarat, possibly coinciding with end of
Ice age. Even tools, fossilized vertebrates, Pottery, Jewellery have been found of theses
Submerged cities. This speaks of their existence. Places mentioned in Mahabharata and
Ramayana are still present in India. A holy inscription of king Pulakeshin1 of Badami mentions
Of Mahabharata war in 3131BC. Cunningham explored Kurukshetra and was able to demarcate Land where war was fought. Continued oral and living traditions along with places authenticate historicity of Mahabharata. Maues, an indoscythian king 85BC besides worshiping Greek gods Was also worshiping Krishna. Krishna and Balarama worship is seen in stone graffiti of Chilas
Caves in western Pakistan [200BC]. Panini [600BC] writes about Vasudeva and Arjun in his
Sutra [4.3.98]. Ghata-jataka [300BC], Mahaummagga Jatka [300BC] writes about Krishna. Even
Patanjali [150BC] in Mahabhashva praises Krishna and Balarama. Chhandogya Upanishad
[3.17.6] mentions about Krishna, composed around 900BC.When we agree Kalyuga started in 3102BC then Krishna can be easily dated between 3300BC—3200BC86. Mahabharata mentions that Balarama went from Dwarika to Mathura to immerse ashes in Ganges by navigating river
Saraswati. Since river dried up by 1900BC and was navigable in Balarama time then date of Krishna can be easily fixed around 3000BC
Can we ignore all above evidence plus continued tradition just to please self-styled Indologists who talk of Aryan invasion, a theory now debunked?.-
----- In conclusion we can say with authority that both Lord Rama and Lord Krishna
Were historical figures. Their stories have got blended with Puranic stories and local legends of time. Then some writers added their own materials to immortalize the characters. By this Involuntarily they blurred historical image of their characters. It is pertinent to mention here that basic story of Epic Ramayana and Mahabharata has remained same in all books despite repeated additions and alterations. We cannot ignore archeological finds, Astronomical data, and carbon dating, Satellite imagery and continued traditions just because of some fantasy in Puranic stories. If they were not historical there would have been no temples to venerate them? Why there are no temples for thousands of heroes/characters mentioned in Puranas, reason they were not historical?
VEDIC LITERATURE
Despite there being voluminous literature of this Vedic civilization, it is nearly ignored by west.
Western writers labeled it full of myth and also called it trash. West would not accept that east is
Cradle of human civilization because of their superiority complex. It stands even genetically
Proved that Europe which has U and U5a genes has its origins in India. But there are some Scholars though in minority who acknowledge India’s past greatness.
Arab scholar SaidIbn Ahmad al-Andalusi said,” First nation to have cultivated science is India, whether it was Trigonometry, Calculus, Medicine, Metallurgy or Astronomy. Most of the advances in sciences that we consider today to have been made in Europe were in fact made in India centuries ago”.
J.T. Sunderland said,” India created beginnings of all American science writers and she carried some of them to a remarkable degree of development………..” Louis Jacolliot, French scholar said,” Hindu revelation [Vedas] is of all revelations the only whose ideas are in perfect harmony
With modern science, as it proclaims the slow and gradual formation of world.”
Carl Sagan, astrophysicist commented, “ The Hindu religion is the only one of the great faiths, dedicated to the idea that Cosmos itself under goes an immense, indeed , an infinite number of deaths and births. It is only religion in which time scales correspond to those of modern Cosmology”.
Vedic civilization evolved over a period of time and gave birth to a religious philosophy called Sanataan Dharma, now known Hinduism. 92. This religion did not come on a particular day but evolved over a time. Ancient Indian literature is in two forms: Shruti---means what is heard and
Smriti---means what is remembered. Vedas come under category of Shrutis while Ramayana and Mahabharata and Manu Smriti come under Smritis category. Shrutis literature is veritable and inviolable. On contrary Smriti literature may get modified under influence of time and place.
Smriti literature has its basis in Shruti.
Vedas constitute sublime knowledge revealed to Rishi’s while doing penance. Vedas are eternal. They acquired verbal form during certain point in history. They are timeless in the sense that they are beyond the confines of time. Vedas contain divine knowledge. They are earliest document of human mind. They encompass human life and they do not belong to any race or Country. They reflect all aspects of existence. They throw light on Creation, Atman and all related issues of spiritualism. Vedas contain mantras which have different and specific purposes. Vedas are laconic in form and hardly intelligible without interpretation. These books are products of man’s contemplation and God’s revelation. No dogma is allowed to come in way.
Word Veda originates from word “VID” i.e. “to know”. Ved Vyasa categorized and compiled all
Mantras in 4 parts, called 4 Vedas. Mantras are in form of metered verses. Vedas acquired
Written form very late. Of the 4 Vedas [Rig, Sam, Yajur and Athar], Rigveda is the oldest. Some Scholars say Vedas have two parts---Brahmanas and Samhitas while others believe that Vedas have four parts, namely- Brahmanas, Samhitas, Aranyakas and Upanishads. Samhitas and Brahmanas constitute rites and rituals while Aranyakas and Upanishads constitute” Gyan
Khand”. Brahmanas hint at magical power of sacrificial rituals. Samhitas deal with nature and
Deities. In Aranyakas spiritual interpretation of rituals and ceremonies is evident. Upanishads are Concluding part of Vedas. Upanishads are in form of dialogue, contain sublime knowledge that deals with the topic at great depth.
Entire Vedic tradition presents conclusion than beginning of literary activity. Vedas are seldom read now a days but they form bedrock of the Sanatan Dharma [ Hinduism]. All rituals from birth to death owe their origins in Vedas. Besides 4 major Vedas there are minor one’s dealing with different topics. These minor Vedas go by name of Vedanges and Upveda.
Rigveda
[6500 BC.]87
David Frawley has shown that the Rig Veda belongs to an earlier layer of civilization before the rise of the civilization of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley (Harappa). This calls for a Fundamental change in our idea of Mesopotamia as the cradle of civilization.
Rig Veda 87 is the oldest book on Vedas It is dated around 1500BC. Some date it as early as3000BC-4000BC. The book is in ten volumes and has10552 mantras, written
by over 400 Rishi’s. Mantras are in form of metered verses. Mantras are built around science of sound which comprehends the meaning and power of each letter. Out of all Rishi’s who have Contributed seven stand prominent. These seven are- Atri, Kanawa, Vashishta, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Gautama and Bhardawaja. The Book deals in detail social, religious, Political and economical aspects of Vedic period. Polytheism is highlighted with some references to monism. Rigveda is focused on pleasing principal gods-“Indra [war, wind, rain], Agni, Sun and Varuna, in charge cosmic order” through ritual sacrifices. Hymns praise gods and ask them for all worldly benefits like wealth etc. They also call head priest Brihaspati to protect them from enemies.
Basic belief of prayers and sacrifices is to gain victory over enemy. Indra is praised for victory
Over Dasas. Agni is recognized as guard of eternal Law [1:1:8], Mitra and Varuna as lovers and Cherishers of law. Rigveda also talk of beginning from nonbeing to being and then whole creation. There are hymns which suggest caste system, not to play dice and so on. In vol. 1 besides Agni, Indra, Asvin, Varuna, Maruts, Aryman, Rudra, Pusan, Dawn, Suriya and
Visvedevas are praised.V2 praises besides Agni and Indra, Brihaspati and Aditya’s are invoked. Vol.3 same gods praised but in Vol.4 Soma, Savitar, Earth and Heaven involved. In other volumes like (8) focus shifts to other deities including Visvedevas and Asvin as being praised. Rigveda Vol. 9 is dedicated to Soma; Vol. 10 hymns recite name of Yama, water, Cow, Dice,
Vaikuntha, and Visvakarma. There is praise of herbs, Puruvas, sacrifices and there is talk of
Creation. Along with important matters of life like rain, wind, fire and war, Vedic gods invoked
For forgiveness and justice in after life. It is mentioned that deceased ancestors can affect our Lives so they are appeased with ritual. Dead are in abode of Yama, god of dead so say hymns. Rigveda does not tell us that Vedic people entered Punjab, India from outside but Iranian traditions do tell us that their ancestors came from outside. Text of Rigveda is organized in Mandala which is of varying length and age. Mandala 2-7 is oldest. Hymns are arranged in a
Particular way and each deal with particular deity, Agni is first. Mandala 10 deals with Creation.
Marriage hymns are seen in [10.85]. Rigveda describes semi nomadic culture with horse drawn
Chariots, Oxen drawn wagons, and bronze weapons. Geography described fits into present day Punjab. Animal like Cow, Goat and Horse seem to have significant role in society. 88, 89, 90, 91,92. Several recensions of Rigveda are supposed to have existed in past. Only Sakalya has survived fully. Sakala recension has 1017 hymns. Mandala 10 contains Nasadiya sukta[10.129] which deals with creation. Text has undergone pronunciation revisions standardization [samhitapatha padapatha].
Rigveda has two Brahmanas, Aitareyin andKaushitakins with same stock of traditional matter.
Kaushitka is concise and systemic too. It has 32 chapters, Kaushitaki sage is linked to to this Brahmanas. Aitareya sage gave Aitareyin brahmanas which has 40 chapters It deals with Soma sacrifice. Kaushitaks on the other hand deals with seven offerings I,e Rice , Ghee ,Milk etc and then follows it with sacrifice. Two Aranykas are attached to Rigveda. Aitare-Aranyaka has 5 books. First and last are liturgical in nature. Second and third books are speculative. Kaushitaki---aranyaka has 15 adhyas, first deals with ceremony and others deal with vital areas.
Rigveda is hard to translate because it is composed in archaic Vedic Sanskrit. There are no closely contemporary extant texts available which make it difficult to interpret. According to Satapatha Brahmana Rigveda has 432,000 syllables. It was in 1830 its FIRST translation was available in Latin by
Rosen. H.H Wilson made its English translation in 1850---88. Max Muller translated it in German in 1856AD. Swami Dayanand translated it in Hindi, 1877-9 .Book is structured in such a way to guarantee its authenticity.
Samaveda
It is ranks next in sanctity to Rigveda. Its collections of hymns are from Rigveda and Bashkala. These are to be sung using specific melodies. They are considered to be origin of music. Hymns are to be chanted at the performance of important sacrifices in which Soma juice, Ghee and other
Ingredients are used. These hymns are sung by priests. Samaveda 93 94 is being dated from 1700 BC— 1200 BC. The verses are rearranged and transposed without reference to original to suit ritual.
English translation of Samaveda is available by Griffith while Hindi version by Mridul Kirti.
Samaveda besides deity worship comprises the specific sets of laws of nature that are engaged in Promoting quality of life of Rishis. Samaveda deals with knowledge and activity by which Soul of human being is relieved from cycle of birth and death. It is devoted to adoration, praise and
Worship of gods and mode of worship for spiritual attainment. Its hymns leave human mind and Soul in tranquility. It emphasizes for human beings to develop their mental and spiritual powers to highest order. Samaveda is shortest in terms of mantras and ranks third in order. Various deities invoked in Samaveda are Agni, Indra, Soma, Pavamana, Mitra, Varuna, and Aryman. Out Of this Soma is most important. Surya, Brihaspati, Vishnu are less recited. Heaven and Earth, Maruts, Visvedas are recited and invoked in book 7. Book 8 recites Vishnu, Asvin, Dawn and other minor gods.
Yajurveda
It is a book of rituals. It is used by Udgatri priests. It contains mantras needed to perform Ritual/sacrifice. Brahmanas and Srautasutra add information on the interpretation and details of the performance. Yajurveda contains verses needed for ritual. Though the book has followed many of the hymns of the Rig Veda, yet the Yajurveda 95 96 deviates more from the original text in its collection of the ritual formulas for the priests to use in the sacrifices, which is what Yaja means. It explains how to construct the altars for new and full-moon sacrifices and other Ceremonies. The Yajur Veda has two collections or Samhitas called White and Black, the latter being more obscure in its meanings Shukla [white] Yajurveda is composed by sage Yajnayalkya. It has 40 chapters.
Chapter 40 is totally Isha Upanishad.
KRISHNA YAJURVEDA-- - 4 recensions are available ,Dated 1200BC---1000BC. Some translations are available. Devi Chand, “The Yajurveda” Sanskrit text with English translation. Griffith translation available in English.
Atharveda
It portrays clear picture of Vedic society it deals with history and sociology. This Veda 96 was Composed in late Vedic period [1500BC-1000BC.] It consists of 20 books. Most of the hymns are magical chants and spells intended to control diseases, evil spirits and influence prosperity. It has nine branches:--1.Saunakiya.2.Paippalada. 3.Brahmavada.4.Muda. 5.Caranavaidya .6.Devadarsa. 7.
Jalada .8.Standa. 9. Kuntap.
The line between prayer and magic and between white and black magic was usually drawn by ethical considerations. Atharveda tells about some plants that were used for healing and cure. The herbs to treat fever, leprosy, jaundice, and other diseases were known. The natives were more skilled in these and they looked down on doctors and medicine. Other more positive spells were for successful childbirth, romance, fecundity, virility, etc. The negative or bewitching spells were called abhichara and attempted to cause diseases or harm to enemies; often they were aimed at serpents and demons. Bulk of hymns comes in early Iron Age [1200BC-1000BC]. One branch Saunakiya is most popular and is seen in Gujarat and Banaras. From
these places it spread to rest of India. Another branch Paippalada branch is popular in southern India. Some books dealt with healing and general black and white magic to be used in all applications of life, while some deal in speculation on nature of Universe and of humans. One of the books deals with the issues of house hold life like marriage, death and so on.
Atharveda also deals with medicine It identifies causes of disease and to kill it with incantations or plant based drugs. It states that germs cause Leprosy and also discusses role of helminthes in disease. This is very interesting as modern man learnt germ causing Leprosy in 19th century. Not only was leprosy diagnosed in those times but was treated also with some herbs. Atharveda (1.23-24) recommends Rajani medicine for leprosy. Atharveda also talks of warfare. A number of weapons like poisoned arrow, hook traps, variety of arrows are mentioned. This weaponry is detailed during Mahabharata war. Military practices and Kshatriya rites mentioned gave fame to Atharveda. There is mention of disease spreading insects. Rituals concerning marriage and death are in great details which present day Brahmins practice even today. There are rituals against enemy.
Philosophical thoughts come in book (8-12) dealing with Universe. Book 10, Hymns -7 describes common thread running in all manifest and unmanifest existence as Skambha. Skambha is Indra; Indra is Skambha which describes all existence. Hymn 8 in same book discusses Cosmogonic and theology subjects. There is prayer addressed to mother earth, glorification of Sun, reverence to Prana, prayer to Kama [love] and Time. Time created creation so says Atharveda. Hymn 10- Cow praised. In book 11-hymn8 we are told origins of gods and creation of man. Paippalada Samhita also mentions consecration ceremony. There are not only charms against disease but for longer life also.
Atharveda contains nearly 730 hymns, some derived from Rigveda. Atharveda unlike other
Vedas is not much concerned with rituals. There is mention of urine for cure of sores, plant Arundati for fractures, Laksha plant for wound healing and remedies to boost immunity. This gives clear picture of that time visa vis their concepts of disease and how to tackle it. Atharveda has been composed by Atharvans and Angirasa sages. Later contributions by sages Vashishta,
Kashyapa, Kaushika and sage Bhrigu also added to this Veda. This Veda is in less usage nowadays. Two
Upanishads namely Mundaka and Prasna are associated with Atherveda. Mundaka is associated with Saunaka and Prasana with Paippalada.
.Translations by RUDOLF Roth and Whitney 1856, Pandurang 1890, Vishva Bandhu, Hoshiarpur are available.
Other Vedic literature:-
Samhitas and Brahmanas: -
Samhitas are oldest portions of Vedas [Rig, Sam. Yajur, Athar] and consist hymns and Mantras. Mantras are concerned with nature and deities. Mantras are addressed to gods. Brahmanas
Constitute second portion of Vedas. They give us significance of rituals. They also hint at secret
Power of sacrificial rituals. Brahmanas are primarily concerned with meaning of rituals. A view
is presented in which sacrifice is central to human life and religious goals. They also have some details of rituals. In Brahmanas we see details of rajasuya [Royal consecration] enabling king to attain powers. Ashvamedha [horse sacrifice] and its significance are highlighted. Brahmanas associated with Rigveda are Aitarya and Kaushitaka. With Yajurveda Brahmana associated is called Satapatha Brahmana. Satapatha Brahmana is largest one. Brahmanas are in prose, possibly written between 900BC—700BC. In Satapatha Brahmana we are told of judgment after death using Karma as scale. Sengupta using Astronomy has come up with these dates: -- Vedic Samhitas----4000BC---2500BC.98
The Brahmanas------2500BC---100BC
The contribution of Brahmanas towards the science of interpretation lies in their peculiar type of interpretation of the mantras. The Brahmanas interpreted the mantras from view point of Karman or Yajna ritual. The Brahmanas interpreted the mantras just by associating some ritual while offering the oblation to the mantra. The Satapatha Brahmana prescribes how and where the utensils required for the Yajna are to be placed. Such prescriptions of the Brahmana texts are called ‘vidhi’ or ‘vidhi vakyas’. The Brahmana texts further justify these prescriptions by giving some myths, by giving the etymology of certain word, by praising that particular ritual or revealing the purpose behind it. Thus, everything related to what, when, who, where and how about the Yajna forms the central theme of the Brahmanas.
The Brahmanas were written in prose as sacerdotal commentaries on the four Vedas to guide the Practices of the sacrifices and give explanations often mythical and fanciful for these customs. However, their limited focus of justifying the priestly actions in the sacrifices restricted the themes of these first attempts at imaginative literature. Nevertheless they do give us information about the social customs of this period and serve as a transition from the Vedas to the Aranyakas and the mystical Upanishads. The caste system was now established, though not as rigidly as it became later. The priestly Brahmins, warrior Kshatriyas, artisan Vaishyas, and the Dasas came into being. The Dasas were the servant Sudras. Brahmins often held debates on Brahman and other religious issues.
The Aranyakas
They are also called forest books. Their role is between Upanishads and Brahmanas. Aranyakas are a later development of the Brahmanas, or expositions of the Vedas, which were composed in India. The Aranyakas are distinguished from the Brahmanas in that they may contain information on secret rites to be carried out only by certain persons, as well as more philosophical
Speculation. They were intended to be studied only by hermits who had withdrawn into the forest and no longer took part in ritual sacrifices or pupils who were given instruction by their teachers in the seclusion of the forest, away from the village. The Aranyakas are given over to secret explanations of the allegorical meaning of the ritual and to discussion of the internal, meditative meaning of the sacrifice, as contrasted to its actual, outward performance. The Aranyakas are the Concluding portions of the Brahmanas. These Aranyakas books contain a natural transition to the
Upanishads. Therefore it is held that the Aranyakas constitute a connecting link between the
Brahmanas and the Upanishads. The Aranyakas have idiom and the ideology from the Brahmanas but at the same time they share the theme and the subject matter with the Upanishads.
There is shift to Philosophical and spiritual interpretation of rituals and ceremonies. There is Cautious and shrewd thinking of a shift from gross to subtle . They discuss creative power and human immortality is linked to Soul and not physical body. Prana as life energy is discussed. Rigveda has two Aranyakas associated with it, Aitareya and Kaushitaki while with Yajurveda has Taittiriya Aranyakas.
Vedanges
There are six Vedanges ,88 , also called limbs of Vedas. Their functions are as follows:-
1.. Kalpa Vedanges: - this deals in rituals. Rituals not only are written in detail but their Importance is also discussed.
2.. Siksha-- This deals with pronunciation. There is tremendous importance for proper Pronunciation of hymns as they are metered.
3.. Jyotisha-- This deals with Astrology. Astrology is important aspect of Hinduism.
Horoscopes are made by Hindus on the basis of position of Planets at the time of birth.
The exact time of birth along with place of birth is vital in making horoscope of a person. It may be mentioned here that horoscopes not only can be made for individuals but for nations also. India was first among nation to talk of Zodiac and its importance. It may be mentioned here Indians used geocentric model than heliocentric model as used by Scientists today. Despite difference in model calculations of Hindu astrologers has stood test of time.
4.
. Chandas-- This vedang is totally devoted to meter, as hymns are in form of metered verses hence the importance of this vedang.
5.
. Nirukti--- This deals with etymology only.
6,. Vyakarna --This vedang deals with grammar of Sanskrit language along with phonetics.
Credit for this book goes to Panini who made Sanskrit a perfect language. Sanskrit is Founder of some other languages too.
Upveda are four in number with following functions:-
1
. Ayurveda -- This deals with medicine. Book is a complete treatise on innumerable herbs along with their medicinal use. It is interesting to note despite huge scientific advance we have drugs with huge side effects. Herbal treatment with its fewer side effects is gaining ground in India but in west too. West where science is peaking is finding Ayurvedic treatment a good alternative.
2
. Dhanurveda-- This book deals with warfare. Different weapons and their use are detailed here. Even strategy of war is discussed along with war rules.
3
. Shilpa Veda-- Architecture which some feel has come very late and that too from west is a misplaced conception. It has its origins in this book. Various topics touch different aspects of Architecture in this book
4. . Gandharva Veda- This book is totally devoted to music and dance.
Upanishads
[c. 800 BCE and c. 500 BCE]
The Upanishads 100 101 are a collection of texts of religious and philosophical nature, written in India Probably between c. 800 BCE and c. 500 BCE, during a time when Indian society started to question the traditional Vedic religious order. Some people during this time decided to engage in the pursuit of spiritual progress, living as ascetic hermits, rejecting ordinary material concerns and giving up family life. Some of their speculations and philosophy were compiled into the Upanishads.
They are concluding part of Vedas. Word Upanishad means, “To sit near”. It also implies to sit near Guru. They are in form of dialogue. They contain inspiring knowledge that deals with topic at great depth. They discuss Brahman, Atman, Life, Death, universe and other related issues. Their message ends with Monism. Some Upanishads are in prose and others are in verses. Upanishads
Introduced God incarnation, devotion to personal God, Unattached karma and Bhakti as ways of Mukthi. There are more than 108 Upanishads.
One of the most famous verses from the Upanishads:--------- From the unreal lead me to the real!
From darkness lead me to light!
From death lead me to immortality!
Main message of all Upanishads is to get awareness of Atman. This awareness can be got by meditating. All Upanishads say it is physical body which is perishable, Soul is not perishable. Soul is identified with supreme Soul [Brahman]. Atman is real, immortal, is veiled by one’s actions called” Karma”. By meditation one can restrain senses and wandering mind. One cannot get immortality by wealth or by other physical possessions but by love for God. By knowledge one can transcend this physical world and death. Goal of person should be to know the Truth [Brahman] and not get attached to this world and worldly possessions. By attaining knowledge of Brahman man gets liberated from life/death cycle. 101, 102 . Inquisitive reader is requested to read original books on subject. In brief various Upanishads tell us their view point of absolute reality. OUT of 108 Upanishads 10 are most important:---
1.
Isha Upanishad.
2.
Kena Upanishad
3.
Prashna Upanishad.
4.
Mundaka Upanishad
5.
Mandukya Upanishad.
6.
Chhandogya Upanishad.
7.
Brahadaranyaka Upanishad.
8.
Aiteraya Upanishad.
9.
Taitteriya Upanishad.
10.
Katha Upanishad
Rigveda has ten Upanishads associated with it. Oldest longest of Upanishads are Brihadaranyaka and
Chhandogya Upanishad. Adi Sankra mentions only 15 Upanishads in his write up. Main message of Upanishads is to get awareness of Atman. We will discuss below some details of this divine message given in most popular Upanishads. Inquisitive reader need to read originals full texts for his satisfaction.
Katha Upanishad 103
It is part of Yajurveda. It follows Taittriya Brahmana of Yajurveda.
Whole of this Upanishad revolves around dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama. Nachiketa is son of Vajashravas Gautama. Nachiketa is not happy with sacrificial rite which his father is doing. He feels father is not honest and lacks inner surrender which is hallmark of such sacrifices. On telling his father about his short comings, father curses and offers him to lord Yama. In Yamaloka Yama grants three boons to Nachiketa for his patience and preservence. For first boon Nachiketa asks that his father should accept him without any grievance’ which is granted easily. Nachiketa’s second query is about “Sacrificial fire.” To this Yama replied,
Ignorance, Desire and Action are three problems. While Karma is quality of physical body, Kama is character of Subtle [Sukshma] body and Avidya is character of Causal body. A person involved in this rite has got to surrender both external belongings and has to also surrender Internally. Anyone who accomplishes this mission of sacrificial fire gets blessed with Universal knowledge of past/present/future. By knowing and performing it one gets Jivan mukthi. So Stands second boon granted.
Nachiketa now asks his third and last question. What happens to Soul when it reaches its final death—Extinction of personality? Does it exist or does it get extinguished?
Yama asks Nachiketa to ask different boon instead of this one. Nachiketa refuses to change his question. Yama now offers all sorts of luxuries and other benefits to Nachiketa for changing question. Nachiketa tells Yama all these luxuries are of no use to me. He remains adamant. One Can see Nachiketa is a human being passing through crisis. Yama seeing Nachiketa is determined relents and starts answering query.
A human being has two paths to follow—Path of pleasant, Path of good. A good path may not be
Pleasant while pleasant path equally may not be good. One has to choose between two. Desire is Ignorance because it arises out of misunderstanding. Just as waking world does not exist for dreamer so does not higher [invisible] world exist for wakeful? Mysterious being of all beings is difficult to understand to wakeful [common man]. Objects need not be acquired but need to be
Understood and studied. World is one of the ways in which GOD peeps through time and space.
In day to day life Soul gets drowned in the clam our of senses. Knowledge is not words but spirit Spoken. Renunciation aand meditation are requirements. In Absolute, people come together. Mystery of death can be Known by knowledge of direct experience. Non-eternal cannot lead to Eternal. What will take You there is God Himself. By meditation one could attain Brahma Loka.
Hiranyagarbha, the Universal mind is also support of all worlds, cause of all Creation. He is hidden in the bottom of the very seeker himself. When Soul loses its individuality, what happens to it---- Both questioner and answer vanish. One is empirical subject and HE is Absolute subject.
By Adhyatma yoga this GOD of gods can be known. You can reach Brahman by chanting “OM”.
OM is imperishable, both manifest and unmanifest.OM is symbol of Brahman. It’s chanting Means to get access to everything. OM transcends everything, a vehicle for expression of highest [Absolute].
Thus you can reach Brahman by chanting “OM”.
Thus, answered Yama to Nachiketa’s third query. Upanishad highlights importance of “OM” in Hinduism. This way ended the dialogue between Yama and seeker [Nachiketa].
“ Knower of Atman does not exist”.
Chhandogya Upanishad
This Upanishad is part of Samveda
This Upanishad was composed by sage Gautama 104. This Upanishad is a little different in dealing with Absolute. This Upanishad takes us along the path of ordinary experience, and then lifts us above into supreme Transcendence. Panchagni Vidya, a particular meditation to know
Phenomenon of life and death is discussed and debated. This Upanishad like many other starts With story of Svetaketu and king Jaivali. Svetaketu after being told by his father that he has all requisite knowledge enters court of king Jaivali. King asks five questions to Svetaketu, which are:-
1.
Where people go after death?
2.
Where from people come when reborn on this earth?
3.
Path of Soul along which it ascends or descends?
4.
Why world is not over flowing with people?
5.
What are 5 oblations that are offered, how 5th oblation becomes human being?
Svetaketu is not able to answer any one of these questions. He feels ashamed and returns to his father in all fury. Father on hearing these questions decides to attend King’s court along son to seek answers to these questions. After great hesitation king decides to share secret of Panchagni Vidya to father and son. King starts by saying that it is not father/mother which produce child but it is whole Cosmos that produces child. The Universe is parent of this baby. Upanishad tells us secret of cosmic interconnectedness and involution of factors which are unknown to senses and Unthinkable to the mind. Cosmos is reflected in every body. Upanishad believes in Macrocosm is in Microcosm. Birth of human takes place in the highest region first with certain degree of expression and its impact is felt at lower levels until it becomes visible in mortal world. Principle of Vajna [Sacrifice] is applicable to all types of Creativity. Panchagni Vidya is meditation which is used to know reality by transcendence. Cause of this material world can be seen in “Yonder world” [Invisible region]. There is a connection between our sense activity and gods in heaven.
Description of causes with their effects in Upanishad takes us above the level of ordinary sense Perception and opens the gate of new knowledge. Mind, Senses, Intellect all work together. They do not take into account Invisible factors involved in production of effect—so says Upanishad.
To query , 5 oblations offered are:— 1. Universal vibration in Celestial heaven.
2.
Reverberations felt in lower regions.
3.
Gross manifestations.
4.
Man himself.
5.
Last is union of man and women to bring child.
This explains significance of 5 oblations and their interconnectedness. Brahma Loka [realm of
Creator] is abode of salvation, so says Upanishad. Upanishad further says “Knowledge is being”. This is its central philosophy. In conclusion knowledge of Universal being is stressed. Brahman is the Sun of all existence, Gayatri” mantra is symbolism of all that is. Individual soul and
Infinite Brahman are same. Role of five fires and two path theory enunciated. There is
Importance of word “OM”—Essence of all. Soul is birth less, immortal and is free. Importance is given to liberation of Soul from life/death cycle. This Upanishad is possibly composed around 1000BC. This Upanishad has some common stories with Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Text has 8 chapters with varying number of khandas. Upanishad has linkage with Chhandogya Upanishad. Those who delight in soul, find pleasure and bliss in it. Soul is free of evil ,ageless ,deathless and sorrowless. To free one self from rebirth one has to concentrate on soul and senses.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
It is oldest of all Upanishads. It was composed between 700BC—1000BC. Sage Yajnavalkya is its author. It is contained with Shatapatha Brahmana. In this Upanishad, Atman is discussed at length. Its famous verse is,”Aham Brahmasmi”. This Upanishad has been revised by many authors. Upanishad states that from nothing was this Creation created, then it was imbued with life energy [Prana] to preserve it. It is monistic and asserts that Atman and Brahman are one and same. It further states that true reality needs to be differentiated from perceived reality [as in dreams].The knowledge of Soul, Self and Brahman make humans immortal asserts Upanishad.
Upanishad also says everything is interconnected, organic affect inorganic, inorganic affect Organic beings, every one nourishing each other, all because it came from one Brahman. There are discussions among rishis about Reality, Atman and Salvation. Rishi’s greet each other with
Namaste [ bow to your divinity]. Upanishad also discusses doctrine of understanding Soul with, Neti, Neti approach.
There are hymns on Karma and ethics also. Metaphysics of whole Upanishad is nondualistic.
Mundaka Upanishad
This is associated with Atharveda. It discusses nature of Brahman and asserts all humans should try to know about it. It is in form of mantras. It says knowledge is of two types, Lower and Higher. Lower knowledge involves traditional religion with rituals etc. but higher knowledge means knowing “Self” and Brahman. It asserts that rituals/sacrifices are useless as they do not Change man’s life here or after. It says perishable acts cannot lead to Eternal knowledge. It says Brahman is the inner self of all things. Path to know this Brahman is through meditation.
Knowledge of Brahman leads to liberation. Liberated one’s reach divine Spirit.
This Upanishad is founder of “Satyameva Jayate” word.
Kena Upanishad
This Upanishad is part of Samaveda. It was possibly composed around 1000BC. It is very short and is part in prose and part in poem. It says Brahman is ultimate reality. Brahman is cause of all Creation and beings. Upanishad discusses Atman. Its conversation starts with, “By whom”. It also says that knowledge is of two types, Empirical and Conceptual. While empirical can be taught, Conceptual cannot be taught but needs to be realized. It talks of Brahman without attributes and with attributes. Discourse in Upanishad start with query, “By whose instigation does mind get into worldly objects? Brahman is everything says Upanishad.
Isha Upanishad
Isha means Lord. This is only Upanishad which is attached to Samhitas unlike other which are attached to Brahmanas and Aranyakas. This Upanishad was composed between 500BC-1000BC.
Upanishad stresses one has to realize” Self” in all beings and oneness in all existence. Real Knowledge gives blissful life. Final hymn in this Upanishad declares,” I am He”.
“From that [world] complete whole came this complete world yet that complete whole remains Undisturbed and unaltered.”---A Quote from this Veda.
Mandukya Upanishad
This Upanishad is associated with Atharveda. It says universe is Brahman. Ataman exists and is
Brahman so says Upanishad. It presents four levels of Consciousness: -- Waking, Dreaming, Deep sleep and pure Consciousness. These are associated with OM. Chanting of OM is used to experience “Self”. The theme of Upanishad is exposition of mystic symbol OM. Upanishad also explains basis of meditation. It states breath is cosmic vital force, intelligence is cosmic Intelligence and our existence is cosmic existence.
Prashna Upanishad
Word Prashna is self-explanatory. Six questions are asked. It is saint Pippalada who answers them to his disciples. Six questions are:--
1.
Whence are living beings created?
2.
What is living being?
3.
What is nature of man and how it is so?
4.
What establishes man---nature of Soul being asked?
5.
What are meditations and its significance?
6.
What is immortal in man?
Sage Pippalada answers them all in detail. On answering these queries seeker learns about Creation, Creator, and immortality of spirit. Importance of OM gets clear and exemplified. This Upanishad is also attached to Atharveda. It was composed around 500BC.
Maitri Upanishad
It is associated with Yajurveda. Meditation on Soul, realization of true self and significance of
OM discussed. This Upanishad is in prose. It deals with Concept and nature of Atman. Deity Worship can be rewarding but is temporary. Role of Soul with ethical life also discussed. Upanishad says Brahman exists in two forms, Material and nonmaterial. Material form is unreal and nonmaterial form is real. It also says Time exists. It also talks of Time and non-Time. Time is Origin of world so says Upanishad. By yoga highest knowledge can be attained.
Taittiriya Upanishad
In this once again Aum is emphasized, as is peace of soul. Prayers often end with Aum and the chanting of peace (Shanti) three times. This may be preceded by the noble sentiment, "May w never hate." One teacher says truth is first, another austerity, and a third claims that study and teaching of the Veda is first, because it includes austerity and discipline.
The highest goal is to know Brahman, for that is truth, knowledge, and infinite. He is found hidden in the heart of being and in the highest heaven, where one may abide with the eternal and Intelligent Spirit (Brahman). Words turn away from it, and the mind is baffled by the delight of the eternal; the one who knows this shall not fear anything now or hereafter. Creation becomes a thing of bliss, for who could labor to draw in breath or have the strength to breathe it out if there were not this bliss in the heaven of one's heart?
Aitarya Upanishad
It begins with the one Spirit creating the universe out of its being. As guardians for the worlds, Spirit made the Purusha (person). Out of the cosmic egg came speech, breath, eyes and sight, ears and hearing, skin, hair, and herbs; from the navel and out breath came death, and from the organ of pleasure seed and waters were born.
Other Upanishads like KAUSHITAKI begin with query------------Is there end to cycle of rebirth?
In SHVETASHVATRA Upanishad method of devotion [Bhakti] are discussed. There are many other Upanishads dealing with topic of Creator and Created with their own interpretations but one thing common in all is:-Brahman [creator] is only real and Atman is connected with it.
Although the major teachings of Upanishads passed down orally from the century before the Buddha, the Upanishads don't tell us too much about the worldly society of India. A personal educational system of spiritual tutoring for adults developed. The individuals were encouraged to improve themselves spiritually as they gave and received charity. When renouncing they gave to charity; then they accepted charity for basic sustenance. The rituals of animal sacrifices were de- emphasized, and knowledge became greatly valued, especially self-knowledge. The doctrine of reincarnation made the sacrifices for a better life now or in the future, eventually gives way to the higher spiritual goal of liberation from the entire cycle of rebirth. Thus austerity and meditation became the primary methods of spiritual realization.
It is obvious that Upanishad teachings are Spiritual and other worldly. They did not improve lot of common man. But they shed light on unknown and how to know about
HIM.”
PURANAS
Significance of these books is a subject of debate with scholars. They not only write about Creation but also dwell on history of times plus social order of the day. Their value for history is highly questioned by many. But if we corroborate historical account given with astrological data given along with the event we can make reasonable guess of age of event and its historical authenticity. Many writers of today’s age have tried this correlation with reasonable success. Prof Achar of Memphis University is one .On studying star positions in Bhagwat Puran he has
Come out with Mahabharata war date as 3067BC. P. Bhatnagar by using software tools has come Out with Lord Rama’s birth day as 5114BC. He calls his tool of research as Archeo-Astronomy. He further writes in his book, “Dating of Rama era” that on 20th September, 5076BC Rama army reached Lanka. These writers coming up with dates lead us to believe that Puranic account given in Bhagwat Puran is historical and not mythological.
Puranas 105 in general deal with Trimurti of gods and various other deities. They have details on
Creation from its birth to its destruction. They also deal with genealogies of kings, heroes, Sages,
Demigods. Cosmology, Philosophy and geography also detailed. They are classified according to
Trimurti, Vishnu Puran, and Shiv Puran etc. Padma Puran classifies them along three gunas---
Sat, Rajas and Tamas. They are in the form of stories. Sage Vyasa is considered complier of
Puranas. They are also labeled as fifth Veda. Puranas also initially were in oral form. A total of
18 of them are available of which Matsya, Vayu, Kurma, Harivamsa, Brahmanda, Varuna and Bhagwat Puran are notable. Puranas mainly discuss five topics:--
1.
Sarga This part of Puran discusses Creation of Universe and gives details of Cosmology.
2.
Pratisarga This part of Puran deals with secondary creations.
3.
Vamsa This deals with genealogy of gods, Sages.
4.
Manvantra This deals with creation of human race.
5.
Vamsanucaritam This part deals with history of dynasties, traditional history
Puranas are classified under three headings:-
1.
Vishnu Puran: -- It includes Vishnu Puran, Bhagwat Puran, and Garuda Puran, Varaha, Padma, Kurma and Matsya Puran.
2.
Brahma Puran: -- this besides Brahma Puran includes Bhavishya Puran, Markandeya Puran.
3.
Shiv Puran: -- this includes Shiv Puran, Linga Puran, Agni Puran and Skand Puran.
Puranas are supplementary explanations of Vedas. Contents of some Puranas are given below:- Matsya Puran: --- Deals with first avatar of Lord Vishnu in detail including need of Avatar and its significance.
Garuda Puran: - It describes death and aftermath including journey of departed jivatama and ordeals it faces in different Lokas [worlds].
Narada Puran: -- It high lights greatness of Vedas and Vedanges.
-Whole details of Shiva along his family, His Tandav dance with its significance are Written in great detail in Shiv Puran.
Padma Puran highlights greatness of “Gita”, while Vishnu Puran tells us about deeds of Lord Vishnu and ways to worship Him. Kula Puran tells caste, Gotras of clans and Sthala Puran tells about Shiva temples in South India. Bhagavad Puran needs some detailing since it is largest and Most popular Puran.
Bhagavad Puran
This Puran gives us divine tales of Lord with focus on Lord Krishna. It includes many stories Including various avatars of Lord Vishnu. This great Purana was composed by sage Vyasa. It is greatest of all Puranas. It invokes devotion to Lord Vishnu [Krishna], key to happiness of a Person. It stresses on how one can get liberated [moksha] from clutches of birth/death by being devoted to Lord Vishnu. It also talks of Lord Vishnu as Creator, sustainer and destroyer of this Universe. There is a talk on transcendental knowledge. Sometimes it is also called 5th Veda. Bhagwat Puran starts with storytelling by Shuka to dying king Parikshit. It not only tells about path to moksha but also dwells on nondualistic Atma and Paramatma.
This Purana 108 107 also has gone under changes and interpolations. Like other Puranas it also started With oral tradition, writing came later. This Puran is primarily on Bhakti with some philosophy of Samkhya and Vedanta. Bhakti is presented as yoga, a path to divine. Caste politics is
Condemned. It says Chandala with devotion to Lord is dearer to God than Brahmin with no faith. It says one can get siddhis by controlling senses and concentrating on God. In book 3 besides stories it talks about Creation of world, the divisions of Time and other aspects of life.
Book 5 is about planetary system and about Manu and his sons. This Puranic book describes about past Manvantras and future Manus, birth, dynasties [Solar and Lunar] . One major portion of Puran is devoted to Lord Krishna, and Uddhava Gita. The book besides giving gyan to Uddhava, narrates death of Yadvas including Lord himself due to curse of a Rishi.
Purana tells us about future rulers of Magadha, evils of Kali Yuga, pralaya discussed and main story ends with death of King Parikshit. Purana gives due space to dance and theatre and treats them as religious rituals
. There are innumerable commentaries available on Bhagwat Puran and it has
been translated into many foreign languages showing its importance in present day world. Puran presents Samkhya[atheistic] creating all beings within self in latent form and later presenting it in gross form through Maya. It also talks of merger of Atman with Paratman. According to it dharma is not only vedic rituals/rules but also devotion to Lord. It also says one can get siddhi’s by controlling senses and concentrating on GOD.
Puranas are supplementary explanations of Vedas and repository of wisdom. Just as cover of a fruit not only preserves fruit within but also protects it, in same way Puranas not only protect wisdom of ,”Being” but acted as crutches which enabled it to be carried till date. Without Puranas this abstruse wisdom would have been long lost.
Hindu Philosophy
Continuity of Indian culture which is over 5000 years old lies in its spiritual foundations. Philosophy 110 102 rose in India as an enquiry into mystery of life and Existence. Greeks confined their enquires to external world but in India enquiries were carried in the inner world. Indian sages developed various means to transcend senses and mind. By these means they found out true nature of Universe and Man. Sages found it is Atman [Soul] which is unchangeable and immortal. Body is changing and mortal too. This Atman is true source of power of man. Rishi’s found Atman is part of Paramatma [Eternal soul] and called him Brahman. Ignorance of this is cause of miseries of man. One can get free from this suffering and attain immortality by gaining knowledge of this Atman and Brahman. Hindu philosophies evolved over a period of time taking full advantage of Vedas and Upanishads. Sages believe Vedas are timeless and eternal. Upanishads are source of Vedanta philosophy. Vedanta is not static, it is ever growing philosophy. Vedanta philosophy is focused on Jagat [world], Jiva and Brahman. Brahman is independent and all power. Jiva is trapped in Universe by getting attached; it is chained to Karma [Action]. As a result of this attachment gets involved in rebirths. Moksha [salvation] should be goal of Life. Vedanta accepts six sources of knowledge-Perception, Inference, Testimony, Comparison, Postulation and Noncognition. All Vedantists agree on three things— God, Cycles and Vedas as revealed.
Vedanta:-It literary means end of Vedas has gone through three phases.
A
.Phase 1:------1000BC-300BC. During this period Upanishads provided basic concepts like Atman and Brahman.
B
.Phase 2:---------- It was scholastic. Adi Shankara has been important contributor.
C
.Phase 3:--------- Neovedanta. In this phase objective shifted from ethnic to Universal philosophy of Life . Swami Vivekananda, Swami Dayanand came in this phase of Vedantic evolution. Religion in India meant a way of life which enabled man to realize true nature. When philosophy provided reality, religion showed correct way of life. Six schools of philosophy took birth in India in a span of 1000 years. These six schools of thought are:--
1
.Mimamsa philosophy-- It was founded by sage Jaimini.
2
.Nyaya Philosophy-- It was founded by sage Gautama.
3
.Vaisheshika Philosophy-- It was founded by saint Kanada.
4
.Samkhya Philosophy-- It was founded by sage Kapila.
5
.Yoga Philosophy--- It was founded by Patanjali.
6
.Vedanta Philosophy--- This philosophy has been in recent times expounded and spread by Adi
Shankracharya. Upanishads are source of Vedanta but later supplemented by holy Bhagavat Gita.
While first three philosophies remained confined to small group, they faded away. On contrary Vedanta got identified with religion of land and spread.
French philosopher Romain Rolland said, “If there is a place on the face of this Earth where all dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when MAN began the dreams of existence, it is India”.
Mimamsa Philosophy:-
This philosophy accepts Vedas as eternal source of knowledge of “Truth”. It pursues freedom through Karma [Action]. Karma philosophy of Vedas is reinterpreted in detail including Significance. It emphasizes on Dharma, believes that right actions can lead to salvation. Later Part of its teachings taught doctrine of freedom and Brahman.
Nyaya Philosophy
It tried to give logical proof of existence of God. As the word suggests Nyaya means reasoning out. In this philosophy knowledge has great importance. It identifies four kinds of knowledge.
Perception, Inference, Comparison and Testimony are its four pillars on which existence of
Isvara [God] is authenticated. This philosophy was postulated by sage Gautama around 600BC.
Vaisheshika Philosophy
This philosophy was given by sage Kanada In 200 BC. This was developed by Prashastapada later. This philosophy explores physical world. It is a sort of atomic philosophy, tells all Universe can be reduced to atoms. Sage Kanada was first human to give concept of atom [ANU] and not Dalton as west wants us to believe. It believes that Brahman is reality. It also talks of other smaller realities. It identifies nine classes of theses lower realities. It identifies 5 material substances:--Earth, Water, Fire , Air and Akasha, 4 nonmaterial substances- Space, Time, Soul and Mind. According to it there are infinite numbers of Souls. There are seven categories of experience. This philosophy accepted only Perception and Inference as source of knowledge unlike four sources of knowledge of Nyaya philosophy. It states that Soul develops attachment to body due to ignorance. It can be free from this bondage if it becomes free of actions. Liberation will follow if there is cessation of actions. Later this philosophy merged with Nyaya philosophy.
Yoga Philosophy
This philosophy was advocated by Patanjali. In this meditation is route to experience eternal center of Consciousness. Meditation, Contemplation and Liberation are its slogans. There are several types of Yoga:--[Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Tantra Yoga,
Mantra Yoga, Hatha Yoga )
In Jnana yoga reason is tool, while in Hatha yoga to reintegrate and rebalance mind, soul are tools used to achieve results. Yoga philosophy believes in personal God unlike Samkhya or Vedanta.
Samkhya Philosophy
This philosophy is dualistic and is popular in contemporary times. This philosophy finds its place in holy Gita also. Kapil sage is credited to have given this philosophy. It is a sort of atheistic in Approach. It states that there are two realities, one is Purusha and other is Prakriti. Purusha is Transcendental Self [Consciousness] and Prakriti [matter] is cause for material Universe. Prakriti has three gunas, imbalance in it leads to evolution of Prakriti which leads to formation of Universe. Samkhya believes identification of Purusha with Prakriti is cause of problems. Existence of God not directly asserted. It also asserts that when Karma is responsible for consequences then there is no need of God. It also says that existence of God cannot be proved by inference. It identifies 23 constituents for making of this Universe. These are:
Table 1:-
1. 5 Sense organs:--Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue, Skin
2. 5 organs of action:--Speaking, Holding, Moving Procreating, Eliminating..
3 . 5 elements:-----Earth ,Water ,Fire ,Air ,Space
4 . 5 senses----- -Hearing, Sight, Smell, Taste, Touch.
5 Mahat, Ego , Mind.
Intellect is first to evolve followed by EGO and mind. Then other constituents come into play to
lead to formation of Universe. Three gunas of Prakriti have their role in this creation. Samkhya accepts perception, inference and testimony as reliable sources of knowledge. It believes Purusha is imperceptible, independent and free. Purusha is passive enjoyer while
Prakriti is the enjoyed. Purusha is neither produced nor produces, while Prakriti produces. Prakriti is unintelligent and is influenced by Purusha. Samkhya philosophy seems to be realistic as compared to Vedanta which is idealistic. It combines basic doctrine of Samkhya and Yoga .It believes in many Purushas.
Vedanta Philosophy 111,112
By far most popular and wide spread out of all philosophies discussed so for. This philosophy
Was popularized by Adi Shankar- Acharya [8th century AD] and by Swami Vivekananda in 20th Century. There are different schools of Vedanta but all agree on three things----God, Vedas as revealed and Cycles. All matter in this Universe is outcome of one primal matter called; Akasha and all forces are outcome of primal force, Prana. Prana acting on Akasha is creating/projecting this Universe. Vedanta believes in one Soul, while Samkhya believes in many souls. It accepts six sources of knowledge i.e. Perception, Influence, Testimony, Comparison, Postulation and Noncognition.
.
Slogan of Vedanta--- Sat, Chit, Ananda. It means Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss.
Goal as per Vedanta it to know this Truth, labeled as Brahman. Vedanta relies on knowledge given by Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and holy Bhagavat Gita. Vedanta seeks to answer relation between Atman and Brahman and Brahman with World. Cause and method of Creation, relation between Jiva and Brahman, role of Prakriti is seen differently by different schools of Vedanta. Though there are many schools of Vedanta, three are most important. These are Advaita, Dvaita, and Vishishtadvaita.
Advaita:--
This philosophy was highly explored and spread by Adi Shankracharya In eighth century.
Advaita accepts six sources of knowledge. It asserts there is only one reality and that is Brahman This world we see is superimposition on Brahman. Brahman is nominal cause [nimitta karana] and Maya does/project Creation. Maya is veiling [hiding] and projecting. This Maya is neither real nor unreal. It is inexplicable. Maya ceases to exist when Brahman is realized. Jivatman is witness of action and experience and not the one that experiences. It asserts Atman and Brahman are one. Maya is dependent on Brahman. By knowing Brahman through mind, Brahman appears
Separate. This misconception can be removed by self-knowledge. After self-realization one sees Self and Brahman as same. This Brahman is pure Consciousness. It is Sat, Chit, Ananda. It is beyond name and form. It is beyond senses and intellect. Advaita believes in Nirgun Brahman. This world is superimposition on Brahman, looks like reality, like reality of dream to dreamer. It is like snake which was not in rope, yet without rope there would be no snake. Even modern Science says this world we see is virtual reality. This virtual reality is created by brain. What we See is transformation of electric signals in to various forms done by brain, so says science.
Vishishtadvaita
This philosophy was given by sage Ramanuja in 1200AD. It believes in concept of Brahman but with attributes [saguna]. It says Atman is part of Brahman so similar but not identical. It also accepts three sources of knowledge [Pratyaksha, anumana, sabda] Jiva and Prakriti are dependent on Brahman. Ramanuja saw Vishnu as personification of Brahman. It believes that individual sense of Self is not complete illusion since it is derived from Brahman. It further says GOD alone exists. Cosmos and Jiva form HIS body. Soul is in communion with GOD but cannot create.
This philosophy says by Bhakti liberation can be achieved.
Dvaita philosophy
Sage Madhvacharya is its proponent. It also acknowledges three sources of knowledge namely, Pratyaksha, Anumana and Sabda. It identifies God with Brahman. It regards Brahman, Jivatmas and matter as separate and eternal entities. This philosophy also advocates Bhakti as way [Marg] for salvation. This philosophy believes in two realities:--Absolute independent Brahman and dependent reality, that is Jivatma, matter etc. So in this philosophy God takes control of Universe and governs it. Vishnu is separate from Soul and matter. A Soul is different from another and matter is distinct from other matter so says Madhva. Souls are eternal and dependent on will of God [Vishnu].
Bhedabheda by sage Nimbarka is also dualistic philosophy. It believes in three existences: - Brahman, Soul, and Matter. Soul and Matter exist separately but are dependent. Brahman controls, Soul are enjoyer and matter is enjoyed. In this philosophy Krishna is highest object of worship.
Shaivism--- a philosophy 113
Another philosophy worth mentioning here is Shaivism. This philosophy represents many schools—Dualistic, Monistic, Nondualistic with dualistic. This philosophy is prevalent in north India [Kashmir] and South India. Three schools of this philosophy which are popular are as under:--
1.
Pushupata Shaivism
It believes in Creator and Created. It says Soul possess attributes of Supreme. It states that this world is both sentient and nonsentient. Nonsentient part has two components i.e. Effects and Causes.
Effects are of 10 kinds of which Earth is one. On the other hand causes has 13 kinds--- 5 organs of cognition ,5 organs of action, to this are added Ego ,Intellect and Cognitive principle. These all factors help in formation of this world and are also cause for illusive identification of self with nonself. This philosophy is popular in south India [Tamil nadu].
2.
Shaiva Siddhanta
This is tantric Shaivism and is dualistic in approach. Goal in philosophy is to become Shiva.
3.
Kashmir Shaivism.113,
It is based on monistic interpretations of Bhairava tantra [Kaula tantra]. This philosophy was postulated by Kapilkas. This philosophy has also many categories. In Kashmir Shaivism all things are a manifestation of Consciousness. This means that this phenomenal world. [Shakti] is real and has its being in Consciousness. Objective of seeker is to merge in Shiva [universal consciousness].
Though there are many variants of Shaivism, it is Kashmir Shaivism which is topic of discussion with scholars. It is Kashmir Shaivism which emphatically says that this world [Shakti] is real Unlike Advaita which calls it illusion.
Siddha Siddhanta, a variant of Shaivism is also monistic embracing both transcendent Shiva and immanent Shiva. Shiva is both efficient as well as material cause of this Universe.
Another variant, Lingayatism, was postulated by Basavanna [12th century AD]. This philosophy comes under qualified dualism category. God is efficient and material cause of this world. But it also accepts difference and no difference between Soul and God.
In nineteen century a new dimension was added to Vedanta philosophy, called Neo-Vedantism.
Its advocates were Swami Vivekananda and Swami Dayanand. These Neo-Vedantists reconcile dualism and nondualism and reject Universal illusion of Adi Shankara. So there is shift of Philosophy from ethnic religion to Universal philosophy of Life, this gives added grace to Indian Wisdom which unlike other philosophies is not static but dynamic, continuing to Evolve.
EPICS
Ramayana
This is one of great epics of India and Hinduism. It is a story of prince Rama and his divine plan.
Ramayana is about devotion, Loyalty, Family roles and respect for elders. Ramayana is story of Lord Vishnu, who incarnated himself as Rama to restore dharma on Earth.
This epic as per legend started in Treta yug. Sage Valmiki is its author. It contains 24000 couplet Epic poems. This epic has gone under many translations and some interpolations too but basic story is retained in all recensions available. It is a story of India, giving us idea of life style in ancient India. Epic has tried to bind together people of India transcending caste, language.
Dasharatha, king of Ayodhya had three wives with no issues for long. It is after a great yagna that three wives conceived and gave birth to four sons. Elder queen Kausalya gave birth to Rama, Queen Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata and queen Sumitra gave birth to two sons, Laxman and Shatrughna. Sage Vashishta taught all four brothers in Gurukul imparting besides routine, spiritual education too. After completing education boys were sent home. King Dasharatha who was getting old decided to crown prince Rama but this was not acceptable to queen Kaikeyi who wanted her son Bharat installed as king. Queen Kaikeyi asked for two promises to be fulfilled by king Dasharatha. King had earlier promised two wishes to queen Kakaye for some favor done to him. Kaikeyi’s two wishes were---Install Bharata as king and banish Rama to forests for 14 years. Repeated pleas by king to queen to change her stance went in vain. Ultimately king had to fulfill his promise and ordered Rama to go to forest for 14 years and Bharata be installed as king.
Prince Rama accepted king’s order without any reservations and planned to move into forests.
Wife Sita on hearing this decided to go along husband as a part of her,” satri” dharma. Brother Laxman also decided to go along to serve elder brother. Trio left Ajodhya for forests. When news reached Bharata who at that time was out of Ajodhya, he rushed to Ajodhya and informed king that he will not accept kingship. He rushed to place in forest where Lord Rama was camping. He pleaded with Lord Rama to return home and accept kingship. To this Lord Rama told Bharata that to uphold promise of king to his queen is his dharma and requested Bharata return home and accept kingship. When repeated pleas of Bharat failed, he asked for sandals of Lord Rama. He took sandals along with him while returning home. In Ajodhya he installed these sandals on throne as a symbol of authority of Lord Rama. Bharata ruled as a regent. During their travel in forests, the trio faced lot of problems which they faced bravely. They meet lot of Rishi’s enroute who blessed them too. They saved lot of saints and their hermits from Rakshasas who were running roost in jungles. It is in forests one day when brothers were out that Sita was kidnapped by Lankan king Ravana. Thus started the ordeal of finding her; It is at Kishkanda brothers meet Hanuman and monkey sena chief Sugrev. Help is sought to find Sita. Hanuman manages to cross sea and reaches Lanka. He is able to locate Sita in Ashoke Vatika and hands her ring as a proof of Rama’s Envoy. Before returning from Lanka He puts Lanka on fire. On his return he details about location of Sita and gives other details of Lanka. A strategy is developed for fighting war against Ravana. It may be mentioned here that King Ravana had boon from gods that Devatas and Demons cannot kill him. Ravana did not ask for protections from humans whom he thought were inferior and animals. This is the reason why Lord Vishnu had to incarnate as human to kill Ravana. Back to main story, a bridge needed to be constructed to reach Lanka. This bridge was made with help of Vanar [monkey] sena. Remnants of this bridge [Ramsetu] have been recently located by satellites in Indian Ocean. Once bridge was crossed by Lord Rama’s sena, a fierce battle ensued which ended with death of rogue king Ravana. Vibeshana, younger brother of Ravana was installed king of Lanka. Lord Rama returned to Ajodhya. Before entering Ajodhya Mata Sita had to undergo a chastity test as she had stayed in Lanka in captivity. In Ayodhya Lord Rama is installed as king. Lord Rama has two sons, Luv and Kush who in due time also becomes rulers.
This in brief is Ramayana story. Coming to book itself, it has seven sections. Section 1 is Balkhanda dealing with childhood of Rama and his brothers. Section 2 is Ayodhya khand dealing with Ajodhya. In section 3, also called Aranya khand journey through forest is written. Section 4,
Kishkanda khand meeting with Hanuman and Sugriva, section 5—also called Sundar khand
Hanuman meets mata Sita. Section 6, Lanka khand deals with war and coronation of Vibeshan.
IN last section, Uttar khand Lord Rama coronation and other related events in Ayodhya written. Lessons from epic :---- 1. Respect for Dharma.
2.
Duty of king towards his subjects.
3.
Duty of son towards family
4.
Nari dharma
5.
How should brothers treat each other?
6.
Ravana is symbol of Egoism which is harmful
7.
Laxman Rekha is symbol of line between order and disorder. Ramayana tells us to choose path of Dharma which can lead to order and happiness of mankind.
It is very difficult to date Ramayana. On one side western scholars who want you to believe that Aryans entered India in 1500BC go on to say that Ramayana is not historical. When collateral evidence came to support that Aryans were Indians then these indologists started dating events in Indian history. They had to date them between 1400BC---600BC [Before Buddha]. Since Ramayana occurred before Mahabharata and there should be decent gap between two events, it became even difficult for them [indologists] to fix dates. Now they ignore Ramayana and say Mahabharata war occurred In1200BC.Valmiki Ramayana is being dated 500BC—400BC. Big question is when Valmiki was contemporary to Lord Rama how dates can be 500BC, that would mean Ramayana occurred after Mahabharata. That is total absurdity. This is western intellectual Bankruptcy. They are not ready to acknowledge that India had a civilization in ancient past.
Now let us look at traditional history in India. It says Ramayana occurred in Treta Yuga which is of 129600 year duration. There are many schools of thought regarding Yuga period in India. There is confusion whether year mentioned is human year or Brahma Year. There is a group of writers who believe Yuga cycle is of 20,000 years only. By their calculations Treta Yug started in 9676BC and Kali Yug started in 3676 BC. So by this reckoning Ramayana occurred in/around 9676BC. P.Bhatnagar taking help of software using planetary positions mentioned in Ramayana has come out with date of 5114BC as date of birth of Lord Rama and of Lankan war as 5076BC. Sanderson Beck says Ramayana and Mahabharata could have occurred between 12000—10000 Years back.
Bhagvat Gita:--
This holy book 115 116 is part of Bhishma Parva of epic Mahabharata. Date of compiling of this book varies from 200BC—500BC. This book is part of Smriti text. Authorship of this book again goes to sage Vyasa. Book combines different elements from Vedanta philosophy and Samkhya. Book discusses dharma based on house holder, enlightenment and devotion. This book has 18 chapters, each chapter discussing different aspects of life and Universe. This book in a way gives summary of knowledge given in Vedas and Upanishads.
This book starts with dialogue between Arjuna [Pandava] and Lord Krishna. Arjuna is reluctant to fight war against his cousins and family elders and relations. He feels fighting war and getting throne after huge bloodshed is not worth it. Arjuna is in dilemma to fight or not to fight. Not to fight also means going against warrior ethics. He is confused and asks Lord Krishna,” why fight and for what”. Krishna answers all queries of Arjuna one by one. It is only after his doubts are cleared that he agrees to fight this noble war. Not only Arjuna is made aware of his Kshatriya dharma but is also told to up hold dharma. In the ensuing dialogue questions about Man and his duties, Creator, Universe, Atman and interrelationship are discussed.
Book has 700 verses. Distress of Arjuna is answered by giving lectures on Gyaan yoga, Jnaan yoga, Bhakti yoga and Karma yoga. In Karma yoga it is stressed that one has to perform one’s duties without getting attached to its fruits. Arjuna is told that Karma is superior to renunciation. Controlling of Mind is important requisite for Dhyana yoga. While discussing Gyaan yoga absolute reality [Ishwara] is discussed along with its illusionary Maya. There is discussion on material world and Spiritual world. Light and dark paths that Soul takes after death is based on one’s karma are highlighted. How Absolute pervades, creates, preserves and destroys this world is discussed. Lord [Krishna] as ultimate cause of all material and spiritual existence is discussed. In chapter 11 Lord gives Arjuna Vishvaruupaa Darshan. Darshan shows all beings and material in existence are all in HIM only. In chapter 13 difference between perishable and not perishable [Soul] is discussed. Difference in Atman and Universal consciousness is explained. Role of three gunas—Sattva, Rajas, tamas, in humans and in this world discussed. Tree of karma needs to be cut, to get liberated from birth/death cycles. Human traits good and bad need to be differentiated by Buddhi. Omniscience, Omnipresence and Omnipotence of Lord [Ishwara] highlighted.
In conclusion Lord Krishna tells Arjuna, “ abandon all forms of dharma and surrender in ME”.
In nutshell book deals with spiritual foundation of human existence and how to get moksha form Clutches of death and rebirth. It also says Bhakti is easiest way to meet God [Truth]. Goal of all humans should be to know Truth [Ishvara] and our relationship with HIM. There is synthesis of Personalized Monism with impersonal Monism. Bhagavad Gita is different in format and content from Upanishads. Book is summary of Shastra and Upanishad teachings. One could say if you know and understand Gita, You know nearly everything about Hinduism.
“Bhagavad Gita is the perhaps the loftiest and the deepest thing that world has to show”. ----Humbolt.
Mahabharata
It is greatest epic of all times, four times bigger than Ramayana. Book has nearly 100,000
sholakas. Sage Ved Vyasa has composed it, around 900BC—800BC. It is primarily a story of war between cousins, Kauravas and Pandavas over lordship of country. Battle produces complex conflict of interests, relationships and loyalty. It is war of vengeance, Ego and hatred and victory is achieved at terrible price. Book has under gone lot of additions and interpolations by the time it reached its final shape. It starts with recitation by Vaisampayana to king Janamejaya who is great grandson of prince Arjuna.
Book has 18 chapters. Book starts with history of genealogy of the Bharata and Bhrigu races including Kaurava dynasty. Then what follows is Kaurava—Pandava feud leading to War. Book ends with return of Pandavas to spiritual world and Hari genealogy. Importance of book increases by many fold with Bhishma parv adding dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, called Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita is kingpin of all Hindu literature, Vedas included. This book is gist of Hinduism including goal of one’s life.
Book has range of myths and legends including Nala Damyanti romance, story of Savitri and
Satyavan and many others. Story has been told in many vernacular versions in India and South East Asia. Mahabharata discloses a rich civilization and evolved society. Art of war was highly developed. Military prowess and skills were held in high esteem. Lots of rules were set for War.
People lived in cities and villages. There were ashrams in forests were one could go for learning. Women were respected, caste system was in place. Book also contains philosophical and devotional material. There is discussion on goals of life. Out of many redactions three are recognized most. Jaya 8800 verses by sage Vyasa, Vaisampayana’s 2400 verses Sauti’s one lac verses.
Historicity of Mahabharata war vis-à-vis dates is highly debated by scholars. Many say war
Occurred in 1000BC [Iron Age]. Puranic literature presents genealogical lists associated with
Mahabharata narrative. It says1050 years lapse between king Parikshit and Nanda dynasty [400BC], this would put war in 1400BC. Pargiter says war in 950BC 117. B B Lal, historian says3711BC, 118 Aryabatta dates war in 3102BC as per astrological calculations. Aihole
Inscription of Pulakeshin11 puts war at 3137BC. Kalhana, Varahimira put war 653 years after Kalyuga [3102BC] corresponding to 2449BC.Professor Achar119 using planetary positions mentioned in Mahabharata at the time of war has come out with date of 3067BC for war.
Pandavas return after spending 13 years in exile, many adventures occur during this time. Final year is spent in court of king Virata in disguise. At the end of exile Pandavas try to negotiate a settlement with Kauravas but in vain, so inevitable happens----War.
One thing is clear from these dates that nobody is doubting historicity of war which puts lid on theory of Aryan invasion of India in 1500BC---------- a big bluff of western indologists.
This war lasted for just 18 days leaving behind it massive destruction. Kingdoms of Panchala, Dwarka, Kasi, Kekaya, Magadha, Matsya, Chedi, Pandyas, Telinga, Yadus, Parma Kambojas sided with Pandavas. Kauravas were supported by Pragyotisha, Anga, Kekaya, Sindhudesia, Mahishmati, Avanti, Madra, Gandhara, Bahlikas, Kamboj and many others. Initially war was fought on by sticking to rules of warfare. Later both sides adopted unlawful tactics. At the end of war all perished except 5 Pandavas, Satayaki, Kripacharya, Ashwathama, Kritaverma, Yuyutsu and Lord Krishna. Krishna acted as charioteer of Arjuna in war and did not fight. It may also be mentioned Krishna’s brother Balarama did not participate in war. War brought total destruction on both sides of camp. At the end of war Gandhari curses Lord Krishna blaming him for war. This curse takes its effect 36 years after war and whole Yadvas clan is wiped off. Pandavas ruled for 36 years and then transfer crown to Parikshit.
A big lesson of this war is---“-Hatred breeds hatred and ultimately to ruin.” Biggest gain of this war was “Bhagavad Gita “for mankind at large- A book to be kept at bedside and to be emulated .
HINDU COSMOLOGY AND YUGAS
Let us talk what modern science says about this Universe. Big Bang theory says from nothing
Came matter with no mass. This matter had a big bang and whole Universe came into existence.
There is talk of multiple Universes with different laws of Physics. String theory proposed is not a Proved theory and is based on lot of assumptions. 11 dimensional theory proposed requires space and time to have 11 dimensions as opposed to usual 3 dimensions; 4th dimension being time. This Big Bang occurred around 13.77 billion years ago and Universe is 93 billion light years in diameter, so says science.
Vedic physics says time is subtle energy which manifests before cosmic manifestation. Time Controls movements of Universe. This universe is multidimensional. Regarding matter it says it Exists in two forms:-Manifest and Unmanifest.
Hindu cosmology 120 121 and timeline is close to modern scientific time line.
4,320,000,000 years is [One Brahma day]; Pralaya repeating after every 100 Brahma years, [311 trillion, 40 billion human years].
Brahma is considered creator. We are in 51 year of Brahma. Each Brahma day is called Kalpa. Each Kalpa has 14 Manus. Each Manu consists of 71 Caturyugas. Each Caturyugas consists of 4 Yugs or Epochs [Satya, Treta, Dwapar and Kali Yuga].
Carl Sagan, Astrophysicist said, “The Hindu religion is the only one of the great faiths, dedicated to the idea that the Cosmos itself undergoes an immense, indeed, an infinite number of deaths and births. It is only religion in which time scales correspond to the modern Cosmology”.
Louis Jacolliot , French scholar, “Hindu revelation [Vedas] is of all revelations the only whose ideas are in perfect harmony with modern science, as it proclaims the slow and gradual formation of world”.
Vedic Cosmology mentions that Creation is of two types---partial and total. According to Vedas, there are 14 planetary levels in this Universe, top most being Satya Loka and at bottom is Patala Loka.
Earth is at 7th planetary level [Bhurloka]. Below these 14 planetary systems is Pitra Loka. Narka Loka is next to it. Consciousness of Souls at Narka Loka is squeezed to extreme low levels. Bhagwat further states that Sun travels 95,100,100 Yojanas at the speed of 2000 yojanas and two Krosas in a moment. When converted, traversing distance becomes 760,800,000 miles and speed of one revolution comes to be 16004 miles/sec which is very close to modern science.
Bhagwat Puran also talks of Elementary time; Great time [time which covers unmanifest aggregate of the Elementary particles]. It also narrates story of a man who went in to highest
Planetary system, stayed there for 20 minutes and found on his return to Earth that 116,640,000
Years had passed on Earth. This means authors were aware of Time dilation, a concept of Einstein’s special theory of relativity resulting in time dilation for inertial systems.
There is fascinating account of time measurement too: -- 2Elementary particles make one double particle.
3 Double particle=1 Hexa particle.
Time duration needed for integration of 3 Hexa particles is Truti
100 Trutis make 1 Vedha
3 Vedhas make 1 Lava and 3 Lavas make 1 Nimesa
3 Nimesa = 1Kasana
5 Kasana = 1 Kastha
15 Kastha = 1 Laghu [minute]
15 Laghus=1 Danda
2 Danda = 1 Muhurat
6 Danda = 1/4of day or night.
There are 4 Praharas [yamas] which is equal to one day/one night.
Life of Human on earth = 100 years. One day and night of Satya Loka is 8,640,000 years on earth.
This Universe exists in 4 time cycle. One year of Deva=360 human years
This Universe is multi-dimensional [64 main] with many subdivisions. Since humans perceive Only 3 dimensions hence has no access to other realms of this Universe. A yogi can achieve access to other dimensions by Sadhana. He can even transgress time.
Regarding nature of matter, it states that it exists in two forms –Manifest and Unmanifest. Behind this matter is conscious being which is cause of this matter.
Bhagwat says that life evolves from complex to simple unlike Darwin concept which states from simple evolved complex.
It is pertinent to note how much Vedic man had insight into the knowledge of Universe, its
Creation, space, time, etc. long before modern science came into existence. Besides this Cosmology, ancient seers 122,123 of India gave many other things to mankind, a few of them are mentioned later in write up.
Time of Yugas
According to Bhagavat Puran time frame of Cosmology of Universe and Yugs is as follows:-
Table-2
Life of Brahma -----100 years.
Brahma day----------4,320,000,000.
Each Brahma day ----Has 1000 CYCLES AND EACH CYCLE HAS 71 DIVISIONS.
Each division has 4 Yugas and each Yuga has 14 Manvantras. Present Manu is Vaivasvat. We are in 57th year of Brahma. Each Yug has four subdivisions which are as follows:---
Table-3
1.
Satya YUG duration----------------------- 4800X360= 1,720,000 YEARS.
2.
Treta Yug duration-----------------------------3600x360= 1,296,000 years.
3.
Dwarpar Yug duration-------------------------2400x360= 864,000 years.
4.
Kali Yug duration--------------------------------1200x360= 432,000 years
We are presently in Kali Yug. Jains, Greeks Zoroastrians believed in cycle of 12000 years only.
Even in laws of Manu and Mahabharata 12000 year cycle is mentioned. Yukteswar in his book
“Holy Science”, 1894 maintains cycle is of 12000 years only. He states in his book 12000 years
In ascending and 12000 years in descending phase of cycle making a complete yug of 24000
Years which is very close to period Sun takes to cover all Zodiac signs backwards [25765 years]. He maintains multiplying Yuga period by 360 [1 Deva=360 earth year] is not needed. He further states this was done to inflate time zone. By this reckoning we are in ascending phase of Kali Yug which will end on 2025AD, Then there will be a transition period of 300 years, after which a new Yug will start [Ascending phase of Dwapar Yug].
Saptarishis calendar which is of 2700 year [100 years/ Nakshatra] duration starts afresh with new yuga. Presently Saptarishis calendar is 5088[3076BC] which is very close to kali Yug date of 3676 BC, date of Lord Krishna’s ascent from earth. Saptarishis calendar was used by Hindus in Maurya and Gupta period also.
There is intense debate amongst scholars regarding time period of 4 Yuga’s as mentioned in
Bhagavat. Bhagwat Puran time frame of yugas could at cosmic level, at lower level [Earth] it
Could be just 24000 year complete cycle as mentioned by Yuktaswar and many others. According to
this Yuga cycle is of 24,000 years breaks up as follows:--
Table-4
Yug
Start
End
Transition period
Satya Yug [Krita Yug]
12676 BC
9976 BC
300 years.
Treta Yug
9676 BC
6976 BC
300 years.
Dwapar Yug
6676 BC
3976 BC
300 years.
Kali Yug
3676 BC
976 BC
300 years
Above constitutes descending limb of yugas, this is followed by Ascending limb of same duration, a total 24000 years. This means taking into account 300 years for transition, this Kali
Yug should end in 2325AD.124 Even Aryabhata agrees with 3000 year /cycle, a total of 12000 years only.
INDIA’S CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD
Atomic theory:--
Modern science gives credit to Dalton for atomic theory. Instead father of this theory is Rishi Kashyapa also called Kanada. Kashyapa lived around 600BC. He was first to tell that Atom is indestructible and also gave theory of Gravity [Gurutva] long before Isaac Newton. He also said all living beings are made of 5 elements [water, fire, earth, ether, air]. Details of his work can be got from Vaisheshika sutra. He further said atoms can be in two states: -- rest, in motion. This theory of atoms is enmeshed In philosophy.
Medicine:--
Two seers Charaka and Sushrata did pioneering work in this field long before present medical science. Charaka who lived around 600 BC [some say 300BC] wrote treatises on human embryology, diseases of heart, Diabetes , T.B. He also wrote on hundreds of herbs, their medicinal value. Many of the herbs mentioned in Charak
Samhita are in use even today .Samhita also deals in physiology, Embryology, concepts of digestion, metabolism and immunity. Sushrata, who lived around same period, wrote on nearly 300 surgical procedures like Caesarean, Cataract, Urinary stones, Rhinoplasty etc. His work on Rhinoplasty is being quoted by plastic surgeons even today. He also
Wrote on various suture materials and surgical instruments. He used horse hair as Suturing material.
Aviation Technology:-
Saint Bhardawaja, who reportedly lived around 800BC not only wrote Atharveda but also wrote on Aviation science, flying machines, and space science in Yantra Sarvasva. One can easily say that ancient people living in India were aware of flying machines. In his book, saint discusses various types of Flying machines. Sage mentions in his book that 500 types of vimanas can be made. In 1895AD Shiv Kumar Talpade was first person in world to fly a Plane, long before Wright brothers.
Creation:--
Saint Kapila can easily be labeled as father of cosmology. He said Prakriti with Inspiration from Purusha forms this Universe. He gave Samkhya philosophy detailing how this world that we see was formed. This philosophy is also quoted in Holy Bhagavat Gita. He wrote in great detail on Primal matter and process of Creation long before Big Bang theory was proposed by modern science.
Kapila is reported to have lived around 3000BC.
Planetaty System:-
Bhaskara in his book Siddhant Shiroman talks of planetary positions, Eclipses,
Cosmography and Gravity. He lived in 12th century. Varahimira [499AD-587AD]
Writes in Surya Siddhanta about constellations, geography. He also wrote on animal science.
Aryabhata [476AD] wrote first time that Earth is round, rotates on its axis, orbits Sun, and 1000 years before Copernicus. He also gave Trigonometry, Decimal system, calculating Pi up to 4 decimals Zero Algebra, quadratic equation to name a few out.
Of his wide contribution to science of mathematics. He said circumference of Earth is
4967 Yojanas and diameter 1581 I/24 Yojanas. Since 1 Yojanas=5 miles, it gave
Circumference of Earth as 24835 miles [24902 miles is accepted by science today].
He also said orbits of planets are ellipses. Copernicus and Galileo came much later Who west thinks are founders of Astronomy. It was Aryabhata who fixed seven days for a week. Besides zero Aryabhata gave numerals also. Binomial theorem also given by Aryabhata . It is interesting to know here that West learnt about numerals from
Arabs but Arabs themselves called these numerals as Indian and called Indian math as
Indian Art. West does not acknowledge this. This shows amount of prejudice west had against India. Decimal and place value system also given by Aryabhata. Without Zero binary system computer application would have been impossible.
. Great Einstein said about India, “We owe a lot to the Indians who taught us how to Count without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made.
”
• Nagarjuna [100AD] discusses Subject of and Metallurgy and chemistry.
•
Patanjali[200BC] developed science of Yoga, wrote a treatise on Kundalini Shakti and how to
awaken it. He asserted that control of breath will lead to control of mind and senses.
•
Panini in 600 BC gave grammar for Sanskrit language. Sanskrit is only language
Which is computer compatible. It has over 100 million words, highest for any language.
•
Vatsayana who lived in Gupta empire time wrote Kama sutra giving 64 ways of love Making for husband and wife.
• Budhyana in 1500BC gave concept of what goes by name of Pythagoras theorem now days.
•
Art of Navigation was known to Indus –Saraswat people way back in 2500BC. Indus People were first to construct dams and build water reservoirs way back in 2000BC.
•
Integral calculus was invented by Madhvachaya and differential calculus by
Baskaracharya.His book “leelavati” discusses Vedic math. Vedic math has 17 sutras.
All calculations and mathematical problems can be solved by knowing these sutras.
•
Brahmgupta gave addition, subtraction, multiplication and division concepts.
•
Ice making was known to Indians as early as 600AD, time of king Harsh.
•
Paper making from grass and making of battery.
•
Coins were made by Indus valley people way back in 2000BC
•
Zinc making was known in India in 1300AD. Charak Samhita tells us about mercury.
•
Steel making technology was available in 1795AD.
First University in world was in Takshilla in700BC, Followed by Nalanda in 400BC.Students came also from neighboring countries. Nearly 10,000 students were reading in theses Universities. Subjects taught were Vedas, Languages, Grammar, Medicine, Surgery, Politics, Astronomy, Commerce, Math, Mystic science etc. Chinese traveler Hien Tsang mentions in his book that Nalanda University had 200 Professors and had 10,000 students on roll.
•
Till 1896, India only country which was source of Diamonds.
•
Chess board and cards invented in India.
•
God particle [Higgs boson].Bose was first to predict God particle followed by Higgs.
•
90% of world’s computers run on a chip invented by Indian –Vinod Dham
•
Crescograph:--To measure growth in plants invented by j. Bose in early 20th century.
•
Dockyard was used by Indus people in 3000BC. They were first to make buttons from sea shells and used them. Rulers were made from ivory. Dentistry was known to Indus valley civilization.
•
Indian ink, bow drill to drill gem stones known since 400BC.
•
World famous Damascus sword from Syria used in wars had steel got from India.
•
Sanskrit: --- Sanskrit is mother of all languages. Forbes magazine reported Sanskrit is Computer friendly.
Charak Samhita tells us about Mercury and its usage. CIVIL engineering found its manifestation in construction of Temples, Palaces and Fortes. Science of ship building and navigation was known. Maccha yantra [Fish machine] was used as compass by mariners.
It is quite obvious from above that Indian people in ancient times were quite ahead of times. They not only developed a full-fledged civilization but continued their research for Truth both in outer world and inner world and had a reasonable success too. They had sound knowledge of science especially of Math. and Astronomy. Their pursuit for Truth, without any dogmas led to evolution of various Hindu philosophies.
Grant Duff , British historian ,who said “Many of the advances in science that we consider today to have been made in Europe were in fact made in India centuries ago”.
Arnold Toynbee, Historian:----
. “It is becoming clearer that a chapter which has western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in self-destruction of the human race…..At this Supremely dangerous movement in history the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian way”.
HINDU ANTIQUITY:--- TIME FRAME
It is beyond doubt now that Hinduism [Vedic religion] is oldest religion in world. Its past is Intricately associated with local traditions making it difficult for scholars to date events. Hidden in its depths are traces of early religion on this earth but lost to history. Indologists who invented Migration theory [1500BC] totally ignored its traditional history before 1500BC. Now that this Imaginary migration theory has been debunked by many scholars, an attempt is being made to rewrite India’s past especially before 1500BC. It is interesting to note that we have lots of archeological finds of Indus Valley Civilization but no written material. On contrary we have tons of literature of Vedic civilization but archeological documents are missing. One possible reason could be huge time gap between today and of the antiquity events. One has to rewrite India’s ancient history taking in to account, Puranic stories, Epics , other literary material available and corroborate it with Astronomical data, Satellite imagery, Traditional history,
Continued traditions and if needed genetic data also can be included. Archeological data alone cannot suffice. It is only then we can arrive at reasonable conclusion.
Various scholars have used different parameters in rewriting India’s past and dating the events.
Following is the summary of conclusions of some scholar’s vis-à-vis chronology of events:--
Jayaram v:- 86
Table-5
35,000 – 10,000 BC
Paleolithic Ages
10,000 -5000 BC
Neolithic Age
7000 - 6000 BC
Beginning of Dravidian civilization
6000 – 5000 BC
Beginning of Indus valley civilization
6000 – 5000 BC
Beginning of Vedic civilization
4500 – 3500 BC
Beginning of Brahmanical culture
3500 – 3000 BC
Epic stories
2000 – 1500 BC
End of Indus civilization
1500 BC
End of Vedic civilization
According to Hindu time line 16
Table-6
400,000 Soan culture in India.
40,000 Groups of hunter gatherers in central India are living in painted rock shelters.
10000 Ice age ends, Vedic culture begins [Siddharth].
7000 Early Vedic period, Time of Manu Vaivasvata, evidence of Horse in India-[Frawley].
6776 Start of Hindu list of kings according to Greek references.
6500 Rigveda verses:- 1.117.22 ,1.116.12 , 1.84.13.5 composed [Frawley].
6000 Early sites on Saraswatii river
5000 Beginning of Indo Saraswat civilization, Brick fire alters, worship of Shiva.
3102 Kali yug starts
3100 Early Vedic period ends , late Vedic period starts.
2600 Major portions of Veda hymns are composed during reign of Vishvamitra 1[ Dr Roy] ,
Drishtdevi river drying.
Jayaram v:-
Table-7
4500BC Mandhatri wins over Drohyus as mentioned in Puranas.
4000BC Rigveda 2-9 mandala composed.
3700BC Battle of 10 kings, Aryanization of South by Agasthya and composition of . Ramayana.
3600BC Yajurveda/sam/ Atharveda composed.
3100BC Incarnation of Lord Krishna, period of Mahabharata war.
3000BC Composition of satapatha Brahmana, Yagnavalkya sutras, Ashtadhyayi of Panini.
2900BC Rise of Indus valley civilization, Mesopotamia, Egypt
2000BC End of Vedic and Harappa age.
1900BC Saraswati river completely dries up
Table 5 and7 are courtesy Jayaram v—“-history,antiquity and chronology of hinduism “andTable 6 courtesy Hindu time line—veda.wikidot.com/hindu—time line .
Other scholars:-
Table-8
Date Event Source
8000 BC
No indication of invasion seen
Gupta [archeologist] 130
8000- 4000 BC
Vedic civilization
Tilak131
7000-6500BC
Indus valley civilization
Chandler132
6500BC-3100BC
Early Vedic- Harappa
Frawley133
6000 BC
Rig Veda
Tilak131
5114 BC
Rama birth
Bhatnagar134
5076 BC
War
Bhatnagar134
4500 -2000 BC
Vedic civilization flourished
Jacobi
3676 BC
Kalyuga
Spat Rishi calendar
3100BC—1900BC
Period of Vedas
Frawley133
3067 BC
Mahabharata war
Achar135
1900BC—1000BC
End of Vedas/ Harappa civilization
Frawley133
3676BC Start of calender
Saptrishi
Table 9
12000-- 10000
Ramayana and Mahabharata
Sanderson beck136
9676 BC
Ramayana
Saptarishis/Yuga calendar
6000BC
Indo-Europeans
Renfrew137
5700 BC-1400BC
Date for Krishna
Lal 138
4300BC
Zodiac discussed and dated
Dharampal139
3711 BC
Mahabharata war
Lal
3137 BC
Mahabharata war Pulakeshin1
3102 BC
Kalyuga
Aryabatta
3067 BC
Mahabharata war Achar
2449 BC
Mahabharata war Varahimira and SENGUPTA 98
1400 BC
Mahabharata war Pusalkar
950 BC
Mahabharata war Pargitar
It is obvious from above that there are variations in dates, possibly due to different tools used by authors to arrive at event dates. But one thing is certain that no one denies historicity of these events.
CONCLUSION
Word Arya means people living ideals by postulated by Vedas. It does not refer to any race or
Language. It is proved beyond doubt that imaginary Aryan invasion of India was biggest
Intellectual bluff spread by western writers to undermine indigenous Vedic civilization of India. Concept of people, language and Agriculture arriving in India together through Northwest corridor does not hold up to scrutiny.
It also has been conclusively proved that European genes U, U5a are derivatives of gene N Which originated in India.M17 as a marker for Aryan invasion also stands disapproved. M17 has been seen in tribal groups in SOUTH which also undermines it as a marker for invasion. Scholars have suggested that M17 could have gone from India through Kashmir, then Central Asia and then to Europe140.
After failing with Invasion theory scientifically and archeologically [no invasion finds] then
Eurocentric scholars shifted their stance to Linguistic invasion. Chief proponent of this was Max
Muller who initially had mooted idea of Aryan invasion. This change of stance was due his self- Interests and for political reasons. Aryan invasion theory was created by European writers to free themselves from Jewish heritage of Christianity. It was as a tool of propaganda to show
Superiority of west and legitimize occupation. Even this linguistic theory met same fate as Invasion theory. Nowhere on this earth is Sanskrit spoken or known except in India. There is no mention of Sanskrit in Central Asia or nearby areas. Veda as literature is not only in India but there is continued practice of its rites and rituals in India even today. Mention of word,” Aryaputra” at so many places in Epics suggests nobility and not race. This Vedic civilization was Indigenous and later it had its influence in Iran, Europe and South East Asia.
India has been cradle of human civilization. Vedic culture gave birth to a religion called Sanatan Dharma [Hinduism]. This religion evolved over a period of time. Hinduism does not demand blind faith but pursuit of Truth through dharma traditions [Controlling mind].This religion unlike Other religions has no single founder, no linear history and no single canon to follow. Its solution to pluralism is far superior to Abrahamic religions. Vedas are foundation of Sanatan Dharma [Hinduism].Religion in India is meant way of life which enabled man to realize true nature.
When philosophy provided reality, religion showed correct way of life.
Word Veda means self-knowledge--- “Knowing one’s own nature”. It has two types of
Literature:- Shruti and Smriti. Shruti literature is veritable and inviolable. On contrary Smriti Literature may get modified with time. Vedas constitute sublime knowledge revealed to Rishi’s While doing penance. They encompass human life and they do not belong to any race. They reflect all aspects of Existence. Vedas are timeless and eternal. They throw light on Creation, Atman and all related issues of spiritualism. Veda philosophy is focused on Jagat [universe]. Veda knowledge is experienced and then recited in Hymns. This Vedic knowledge initially was transmitted orally as writing came late. Holy Bhagvad Gita is essence of Vedas. Vedic knowledge tells us Jiva [man] is trapped in this universe due to his Karma. Moksha is goal of
Life, unlike Christianity where goal is freedom in Paradise [Heaven]. Purpose of Bhagavad Gita
Is to spread esoteric knowledge to mankind, knowledge difficult to get otherwise. This Knowledge was needed at the dawn of Kaliyug.Vedas are laconic in form and hardly intelligible
Without interpretation. These books are products of man’s contemplation and God’s revelation. This Vedic religion gave three important things:--Freedom of thought, Theory of Karma and concept of Pure Consciousness. By transcending one can experience this Consciousness [Brahman] which is root cause of all Creation. Various philosophies which came over a period of time have given their opinion on this Consciousness. Their interpretations at times seem different but all are unanimous in saying that absolute is ONE only. All say Creation is dependent on Absolute consciousness [Brahman].
All Creation is due to this Consciousness [Brahman]. This creation has separate existence but is dependent on Brahman. Advaitists labelled this creation as Mithya [Existence, which is Nonexistent in real sense]. This was labelled as Illusion by western writers which is wrong Interpretation. In fact there is no word in English language equivalent to Mithya. Philosophy at times looks abstruse but in essence it speaks of human mind. This philosophy does not allow dogmas, wants subject to experience himself nature of Truth [Brahman].While west has been
Probing outer world, Indian sages have been probing inner world to know Truth. Vedic Philosophy tells us Man is microcosm of GOD who is Macrocosm. Service to humanity is Service to GOD himself. Karma yoga and Bhakti yoga are forms for social action.
Hindu cosmology tells us how this world came into being [from nirgun Brahman to sagun Brahman]. Pantheism in Vedas is metaphorical representation of underlying forces which govern this Universe. Its time scale of cosmology is amazing [close to science]. Puranic stories were Created to make subtle philosophy understandable to common man. Puranas are treasure house of history, give genealogy of kings who ruled ancient India. Puranas have acted as cover of fruit for
Preserving Vedic wisdom and acted as its crutches which carried it till today
Science and Mathematics originated in India and went to West via Iran and Arab world. Presence of Vedic deities in Zend Avesta is another proof of Vedic civilization influence in Persia. Dense network of “Tirths” and holy sites created sacred geography of India which helped in national Integration. Two great Epics have also played important role in national integration. These Epics have been rewritten and modified subject to times and local traditions.
This Vedic civilization spread from India to Europe via Iran long before Mesopotamia and
Egyptian civilizations. It also spread in south East Asia [Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Malaysia etc.].Bias of western world towards this civilization needs to be removed. It is duty of Indian scholars to shift name of India from foot notes of world history to main stream world history books. Misinterpretation of Vedas done by Christian missionaries needs to be corrected. It is really sad that Indian universities still have western history books and western translations of Vedas on shelves. Acceptance of this western interpretation of Vedas amounts to self-Betrayal.
Tolerance does not mean to accept false and distorted views. Indian intellectuals need to rise, Correct the wrong doings and put Indian history at proper place. Keeping Indian history in foot notes will be injustice to India and its people.
Humboldt------“Bhagavad-Gita is perhaps the loftiest and the deepest thing that world has to show”.
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60.
Dr P.Priyadarshi:----- History of ancient India---over one lac years.
61.
Ibid. 46
62.
Dr P.Priyadarshi--- History of ancient India---over one lac years.
63.
Ibid. 59
64.
Ibid. 35, 36.
65.
Kantanen etal 2009, Maternal and paternal genealogy of Eurasian taurine cattle www.nature.com. Journal home Achieves.
Original article.
66.
Underhill etal 2009:----Haplo group R-M17. Enwikipedia.org/wiki/haplo
67.
Michel Danino:” Genetics and Aryan debate-on line”. Archeology on line.net/artifacts/genetics.
68.
Quintana-Murci:--“Where west meets East:-The complex DNA landscape of the south west and central Asian corridor.
American .J.of Human genetics 74[5]: 827-45, May 2004.
69.
V Macaulay, Hill, Achill etal: “Single rapid coastal settlement of Asia revealed by analysis of complete mitochondrial genomes”. Science 13, May 2005, V308, N 5724 PP1034-36.
70.
Oppenheimer S---The real Eve: Modern man’s journey out of Africa.2003 Carrol and Graff publication, New York.
71.
W F Allman, “Eve explained:-How ancient humans spread across Earth”. Website of discovery channel 21 Aug 2014.]
72.
Oppenheimer S--The real Eve: Modern man’s journey out of Africa.2003 Carrol and Graff publication, New York.
73.
Michel Danino:” Genetics and Aryan debate-on line”. Archaeology on line.net/artefacts/genetics.
74.
Witzel M 1995:-- Early Sanskritization, origin and development of Kuru state. Pdf electronic. J. of Vedic studies 14,1995.
75.
Ibid. 4,31,49,54.
76.
Mahajanapadas, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahajanapadas.
77.
Mahajanapadas: Facts about India. www.facts-about-india.com/ Mahajanapadas.
78.
Witzel M 1995:-- Early sanskritization, origin and development of Kuru state. Pdf electronic J. of Vedic studies 14,pp1—26 1995.
79.
Ibid. 3,55,74,78.
80.
P .Bhatnagar:---“Dating of Rama era”. Bharat gyan—Historical Rama by Hari.
81.
Ibid. 30
82.
Ibid. 19.
83.
Ibid. 33.
84.
Ibid. 27.
85.
Ibid.48, 51.
86.
Jayaram v -“- History, antiquity and chronology of Hinduism”.
www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/antiquity.
87.
Composition of early Rig Vedic hymns according to David Frawley, (a Vedic scholar from US) current Archaeological evidence shows that Shiva worship existed in the Indus Valley Civilization in approximately 6000 BC.
Subramuniyamswami, Satguru Sivaya. ‘Dancing with Shiva’; Hinduism’s contemporary catechism. Hawaii; Himalayan Academy, 1993.
88.
The Vedanges---- The limbs of Vedas. www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/concepts/vedanges
89.
The Rigveda, translated by Stephanie, Jameison and Joel Brereton, oxford university press.
90.
Rigveda index- by Griffith. Www..Sacred texts-texts.com/hin/Rigveda.
91.
Rigveda—The Hindu Universe. www.hindunet.org/vedas/rigveda.
92.
The Vedas: An introduction. WWW.Hinduism about.com.
93.
Samaveda; Hymns of Samaveda by Griffith 1895. www.sacred-texts.com/hin.
94.
Samaveda: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaveda
95.
The texts of white Yajurveda:--www. Sacred-texts.com/hin/wyu/indexhtm
96.
Atharveda:- Atharveda index:www.sacredtexts.com/hin/sbe42translation by Maurice Bloomfield]
97.
Ibid.95, 96.
98.
Sengupta 1947-“Ancient Indian chronology.” Calcutta University
99.
Ibid.88
100.
http://www.ancient.eu/Upanishads/ Ancient History Encyclopedia
101.
Upanishads:--enwiki pedia.org/wiki/Upanishads
102.
Vedanta and Indian culture, Belur math. www.belurmath.org/vedanta/ Indian culture.
103.
Katho Upanishad: commentary by swami krishan, www. Swami-krishananda.org/kath.
104.
Chhandogya Upanishad:-by swami Krishnanada. Swami-krishnanda.org/chad/chhandogya.
105.
Puranas:---enwikipedia.org/wiki/puranas.
106.
Ancient-history/mahajanpadas .www.mapsofworld.com/world-ancient history/mahajanpadas
107.
Srimad Bhagwatam:--by swami Prabhupada, Bhakti Vedanta book trust.
108.
The advaitic theism of the Bhagvata purana, by Daneil Sheridan.
110 Hindu Philosophies:--enwikipedia.org/wiki/hindu philosophy.
111 Ibid. 102
112.
Sooklal, Anil 1993:----The neovedanta philosophy of swami Vivekananda
113.
Kshemaraja, ”-Spada Karikas, the divine creative pulsation”. Trans by Jaidev singh
114.
Flood, Gavin d 1996:--An introduction to Hinduism, p164-167, Cambridge university press
115.
Swami Chidbhavananda 1997---The Bhagvat Gita.
116.
Upadhyaya Kashi nath 1998---Early Buddhism and Bhagavad Gita. Isbn978-81-20808805.
117.
Pargiter FC 1972:----Ancient Indian historical tradition. Delhi [Moti lal banarsi dass. 118. Ibid. 19, 43, 82
119.
Ibid.30, 37, 81
120.
Harry Old meadow 2007---Light from East: Eastern wisdom for modern west.
121.
Ibid. 107
122.
Ancient Rishis---www.diehardindian.com/ancient/rishis.
123.
Aryabhata---Famous mathematician. Enwikipedia.org/wiki/aryabhata.www.famous-mathematicians.org/aryabhatta.
124.
B.DEV Misra: ---Myths, symbols and mysteries. Bibhvdev.blogspot.com.
130.
Ibid. 18, 42
131.
Ibid. 50
132.
Ibid.17
133.
Ibid. 48, 51, 85
134.
Ibid. 80
135.
Ibid. 30, 34, 81,119
136.
Ibid. 33
137.
Ibid.40
138.
Ibid. 19, 82
139.
Ibid. 58
140.
Ibid. 67, 73
141. vedic period-----enwikipedia.org/wiki/vedic period.
Additional literature cited:
. Rajaram NS and David Frawley:-“.-Vedic Aryans and the origins of civilization”. 2nd edition New Delhi . Voice of India 1997.
. Feuerstein, George, Subhash kak and David Frawley
. “In search of the cradle of civilization”. Quest books:Wheaton111 1995
. Frawley D:- The myth of Aryan invasion of India. Voice of India, New Delhi 1994.
. Srikant Talageri---Aryan invasion theory---a Reappraisal.
. Majumdar RC---History and culture of Indian people. The Vedic age V1.
. R S Chaurasia:--History of ancient India: Earliest times to 1000AD.
. Ancient India-kings.blogspot.com
. Kulke , Rothermund etal 1998 :--a history of India ISBN978-0-415-32920-0.
. Basham AL 2008:-- The wonder that was India: History and culture of Indian subcontinent before coming of Muslims ISBN 978-1-59740-5997.
. Majumdar 2001:---“Ethnic population of India as seen from evolutionary perspective”.
. Mountain JL, Herbert JM, etal1995:-Demographic history of India and mtDNA sequence diversity.
Dyczkowski, Mark SG 1987:-The doctrine of vibration: An analysis of the doctrine and practice of Kashmir Shaivism.
Albany, NY STATE university press.
. India’s contribution to world:--Arjuna sayanim and Rajiv Dixit.
. Upinder Singh 2008:---A history of ancient and early medieval India: From Stone Age to 12th century Pears on education, India
. Misra VS 2007:- Ancient Indian dynasties, Bhartiya vidya bhavan.
. Kashmir Shaivism:--The secret supreme by Laxman jee.
. Raju 1997:---The philosophical traditions of India. Motilal banarsi das publication, New Delhi.
. Gupta and Ramachandran 1976:-- Mahabharata:” Myth or reality”. Agam prakasham, New Delhi.
. Subash Kak 2000:-“-On the chronological frame work for Indian culture”. Indian council of philosophical research.
. PusalkarAD---History and culture of Indian people, .V1, chapter xiv p273.
. V Aggarwal:--decode hindumythology.blogspot .com/Krishna.
. Rajaram NS:--Aryan invasion:-History or Politics? Hindu website.com/history/Aryan invasion.
. Frawley David, The myth of Aryan invasion of India.
. Rao SR:---“ Lothal and Indus valley civilization” ,Asia publishing house Bombay ,India , 1973 . . Sanderson beck:--Vedas and Upanishads. www.san.beck.org/Ec7- Vedas.
AUTHORS
M.L. Babu
I was born and brought up in Kashmir. I lived in Kashmir till my migration from valley in 1990. I now belong to community which not only is scattered all-over globe but is endangered too.
My interests besides my profession are in ancient of India and Vedas. I have travelled a lot and interacted with various people. I have perused various religious books. I have come to conclusions that India’s past is hidden in Puranic stories. My professional articles stand published in both national and international journals. Now I am concentrating on my passion, Puranic stories and their relevance today.
Sham S Misri
I was born, brought up, educated, lived and married in Kashmir. Did master’s degree in science and joined as lecture, later shifted to central services and retired from same organization as a senior level officer.
We were forced to migrate out of Kashmir in 1990. I along with my wife and children have widely travelled to various countries like, USA, UK, and Canada etc. Now I live at Seattle with my children.
There are many publications in various scientific journals and magazine by me. My passion is reading and writing.
