Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
We, Indians, are the products of one of the oldest civilisations. We need to be really proud of our ancient history and cultural heritage. However, during the British Rule, we developed an inferiority complex, which adversely affected our quest to unearth facts relating to our glorious past. But our young and educated men and women, being born and brought up in independent India, are capable of unearthing the true facts and are confident enough to evaluate these objectively. Shri Rama being most basic to Indian ethos, it is necessary to know who is Shri Rama? Was he really born? If yes, when and where? As is believed by crores of people did he really put his feet on the territory of India from North to South, reducing the sufferings of mankind and ensuring victory of good over evil? Let us have a look at historical facts. The story of Shri Ramas life was first narrated by Maharishi Valmiki in the Ramayan which was written after Shri Rama was crowned as the king of Ayodhya. Maharishi Valmiki was a great astronomer as he has made sequential astronomical references on important dates related to the life of Shri Rama indicating the location of planets vis-a-vis zodiac constellations and the other visible stars (nakshatras). Needless to add that similar position of planets and nakshatras vis-a-vis zodiac constellations is not repeated in thousands of years. By entering the precise details of the planetary configuration of the important events in the life of Shri Rama as given in the Valmikis Ramayan in the software named Planetarium Gold corresponding exact dates of these events according to English calendar can be known. Sh. Pushkar Bhatnagar of Indian Revenue Service had acquired from USA the software named Planetarium Gold (of Fogware Publishing) which is used to predict the solar/lunar eclipses and distance and location of other planets from earth by the scientists and astronomers. He entered the relevant details about the planetary positions vis-a-vis zodiac constellations narrated by Maharishi Valmiki and obtained very interesting and convincing results, which almost determine the important dates starting from the birth of Shri Rama to the date of his coming back to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Sh. Pushkar Bhatnagar has given very
1
authentic and convincing details of these dates in his book titled Dating the Era of Lord Rama published by Rupa & Co., some extracts from which are being summarised in the succeeding paras.
This data was fed into the Planetarium Gold software, the results indicated that this was exactly the location of planets/stars vis-a-vis zodiac constellations on the 10th of January noon time in the year 5114 BC if viewed from latitude/ longitude of Ayodhya (25N 81E). Thus Shri Rama was born on 10th January in 5114 BC (i.e. 7117 years back). By making use of software to convert solar calendar into lunar calendar, it was found that this date also happened to be the 9th day of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month and the time was around 12 to 1 noontime. This is exactly the time and date when Ram Navmi is celebrated all over India till date. The relevant sky view generated by Planetarium Software is enclosed.
Planetary position on 10th January, 5114 BC the date on which Rama was born
(20N 73E). On that date planetary configuration was the same as has been described by Valmiki, i.e., Mars was in the middle, on one side was Venus and Mercury and on the other side were Sun and Saturn.
Planetary position on 7th October, 5077 BC (Amavasya) the day of Solar Eclipse, when Lord Rama fought the battle with Khar.
Planetary position on 14th September, 5076 BC at 6.30 a.m. the date and time of Hanumans return from Lanka.
5
The date and time of Hanumans return from Lanka 14th September, 5076 BC. This slide shows the time when Hanuman reached the middle of the sea to rest on a small hill. On the basis of planetary configurations described in various other chapters of Valmikis Ramayan, the date on which Ravana was killed works out to be 4th December 5076 BC and Shri Rama completed 14 years of exile on 2nd January, 5075 BC and that day was also Navami of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month. Thus Shri Rama had come back to Ayodhya when he was 39 years old (5114 5075).
6
Such sequential matching of important dates in the life of Lord Rama narrated in Valmikis Ramayan with astronomical dating done through planetary configurations cannot be a mere coincidence. It speaks volumes about the historicity of the era of Lord Rama!
they visited several Rishi ashrams in MP and Chattisgarh areas, along Narmada and Mahanadi rivers for 10 years, and then came back to Sutikshan ashram. Several memorials in Panna, Raipur, Bastar and Jagdalpur still exist which include Mandavya ashram, Shringi ashram, Ram Laxman Mandir etc. After crossing many rivers, lakes, hills and forests they went to Agastya ashram in Nasik. As per Valmiki, weapons made in Agnishala were given to Shri Rama by Agastya Muni in this ashram. 3rd Phase along Godavari Shri Rama, Laxman and Sita travelled along Godavari. From Agastya ashram they went to stay in Panchvati a place with 5 Vata trees located on banks of Godavari in Nasik (Point no. 116 of the given map). This place is famous for Sharoopnakha episode and war with Khar and Dushan. There are memorials at the place where Mareech was stated as killed; these include Mrigvyadheshwar and Baneshwar. Infact, Nasik area is full of memorials, e.g., Sita Sarovar, Ram Kund and Triambakeshwar and Janasthan etc. After this incident, Sita was abducted by Ravana, who also killed Jatayu memorial Sarvatiratha in Taked Village, 56 km from Nasik, is still preserved. 4th Phase along Tungbhadra and Kaveri Shri Rama and Laxman extensively travelled through these areas in search of Sita. After meeting Jatayu and Kabandh they moved towards south to reach Rishyamook Parbat. On way they visited Shabari ashram in Pampasarovar area which is now known as Sureban in Belgaon and is still famous for Ber trees. (Point no. 146 and 147 of the given map.) After crossing forests of Sandalwood, many gardens and water bodies, they went towards Rishyamook. Here they met Hanuman and Sugreev, and were shown Sitas ornaments. Shri Rama killed Bali in this area. Rishyamook and Kishkindha are located in Hampi, Distt. Ballari of Karnataka. 5th Phase on the Banks of the Sea Rama with sena marched towards the sea. After crossing Malay Parbat, Chandan forests, many rivers and ponds they went along Kaveri River. Details of travel narrated in Valmikis Ramayan tally with the existing memorials.
Ram-sena first camped in Koddikarai but later moved to Rameshwaram for construction of bridge and there are many memorials to commemorate this event in Chhedukarai. After surveying the sea area the place was found unsuitable for constructing the bridge. Therefore, Shri Rama shifted the entire army to Rameshwaram. After surveying the place for three days, suitable area was identified and the bridge was constructed under the supervision of great shilpakar Nal. In Rameshwaram, particularly from Dhanushkoti, the boatmen still take visitors in glass boats to show remains of Ramas bridge, but it is considered fashionable to call it Adams bridge instead of calling it by its historical name i.e. Ramas bridge. Sri Lankan government wants to construct a land route over this submerged bridge (Pamban to Mannar) whereas Government of India wants to blast it for shipping i.e. Sethusamndaram project. Shri Jaisurya, Energy Minister of Sri Lanka had proposed construction of land route between India and Sri Lanka on this submerged Rama Sethu.
10
Ancestors & descendants of Shri Rama who was the 64th Ruler of Surya Vansh
1. Manu 2. Iksvaku 3. Vikuksi-Sasada 4. Kakutstha 5. Anenas 6. Prithu 7. Vistarasva 8. Ardra 9. Yuvanasva (I) 10. Sravasta 11. Brihadasva 12. Kuvalasva 13. Drdhasva 14. Pramoda 15. Haryasva (I) 16. Nikumba 17. Samhatasva 18. Akrsasva 19. Prasenajit 20. Yuvanasva (II) 21. Mandhatr 22. Purukutsa 23. Trasadsyu 24. Sambhuta 25. Anaranya 26. Trasadsva 27. Haryasva (II) 28. Vasumata 29. Tridhanvan 30. Trayyaruna 31. Trishanku 32. Satyavrata 33. Hariscandra 34. Rohita 35. Harita, Cancu 36. Vijaya 37. Ruruka 38. Vrka 39. Bahu (Asita) 40. Sagara 41. Asamanjas 42. Amsumant 43. Dilipa (I) 44. Bhagiratha 45. Sruta 46. Nabhaga 47. Amabarisa 48. Sindhudvipa 49. Ayutayus 50. Rtuparna 51. Sarvakama 52. Sudasa 53. Mitrasaha 54. Asmaka 55. Mulaka 56. Sataratha 57. Aidavida 58. Visvasaha (I) 59. Dilipa (II) 60. Dirghabahu 61. Raghu 62. Aja 63. Dasaratha 64. Rama 11 65. Kusa 66. Atithi 67. Nisadha 68. Nala 69. Nabhas 70. Pundarika 71. Ksemadhanvan 72. Devanika 73. Ahinagu 74. Paripatra 75. Bala 76. Uktha 77. Vajranabha 78. Sankhan 79. Vyusitasva 80. Visvasaha (II) 81. Hiranyabha 82. Pusya 83. Dhruvasandhi 84. Sudarsana 85. Agnivarna 86. Sighra 87. Maru 88. Prasusruta 89. Susandhi 90. Amarsa 91. Mahashwat 92. Visrutavant 93. Brihadbala 94. Brihatksaya
In Yuudh Kand, sarg 22 (shlokas 45-73) Valmiki has narrated in detail that originally Shri Ramas army camped in Kodikarai but found that place unsuitable for constructing the bridge. Therefore, the entire army was shifted to Rameswaram. Research was carried out by Shri Rama for three days to find out a suitable location in the sea for constructing the land route so that the army could cross over to Sri Lanka. Finally, the suitable location was identified. Shri Nal, a famous shilpakar, who had the expertise similar to that of Vishwakarma in constructing the bridges, was requested to construct the bridge (6/22/45). After carrying out the survey, Nal declared that a bridge can indeed be constructed at the identified location. The armymen of Shri Rama utilized various tools and implements for uprooting trees like Taar, coconut, mango, ashoka, bakul etc., and with the help of various yantras transported these trees, stones, and rocks to the seashore. Shilpakar Nal directed the armymen to stand with long ropes/ chains on either side and filled the space in between with creepers, trees, stones and rocks and bound them together. The construction of Ramsethu was completed
See the Boundaries looking like ropes & the fillings in between
13
in five days by connecting the existing land route consisting of islands, rocks and shoals. See some latest pictures which apparently corroborate such descriptions!
14
15
During the Satavahan-Sak-Kushan Age (1300 AD) Schwartzberg has shown this Ramsethu being used as land route between India and Sri Lanka and has stated that it was known as Rameswaram Koti at that time.
As per this atlas, during the age of GurjaraPratiharas, Palas and Rashtrakutas (700 975 AD), the region across the Ramsethu constituted the limits of the regions under the control of Rashtrakuta Kings. In fact, entire Sri Lanka has been shown as part of kingdom of Rashtrakutas and Ramsethu has been shown as the land connection connecting the entire kingdom.
16
In this historical atlas of South Asia prepared by Joseph E. Schwartzberg in 1978, during the time of Khiljis and Tughlaks (12901390 AD) Ramsethu has been shown as a land route between Rameswaram and Sri Lanka and the prevailing name has been stated to be Setubandha Rameswaram.
Library, Tanjavur. However in the later 1804 A.D. version of the map, the name RAMA BRIDGE has been replaced with the name ADAMS BRIDGE! Hence the RAMA BRIDGE becomes the ADAMS BRIDGE and the psychology behind the same needs no explanation!
The Essence
From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Bengal to Gujarat, everywhere people believe in the reality of Shri Ramas existence, particularly in the tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and the North East. Most of the festivals celebrated in these tribal areas revolve around the events in the life of Shri Rama and Shri Krishna. The events and places related to the life of Shri Rama and Sita are true cultural and social heritage of every Indian irrespective of caste and creed and therefore it is common heritage. After all, Shri Rama belonged to the period when Prophet Mohammed or Jesus Christ were not born and Muslim or Christian faiths were unknown to the world. India was also known as Bharat (meansland of knowledge) and Aryavarta (where Aryans live). During Rama Rajya, the evils of caste system based on birth were non-existent. In fact, Maharishi Valmiki is stated to be of Shudra class (Scheduled Caste) still Sita lived with him as his adopted daughter after she was banished from Ayodhya and Shri Ramas children Luv and Kusha grew in his ashram as his disciples. We
18
need to feel proud of the fact that Maharishi Valmiki was perhaps the first great astronomer and that his study of planetary configurations has stood the test of times. Even the latest computer softwares have corroborated his astronomical calculations, which prove that he did not commit any error. Shabari is stated to be belonging to Bheel tribe and the army of Shri Rama, which succeeded in defeating Ravana was also formed by various tribals from Central and South India. The facts, events and all other details relating to the life of Shri Rama are the common heritage of all the Indians. The scientific details narrated about to indicate that Shri Rama was actually born 7000 years back. Hence, discovering the details relating to Shri Ramas life would be lot more difficult as destruction caused by floods, earthquakes and invasions etc. would be far greater. But should that stop our quest for learning more and more about our cultural heritage? As Indians, let us all take pride in the fact that Indian civilisation is the most ancient civilisation surviving on planet earth and it is certainly more than 10,000 years old. Therefore, let us reject the story of Aryan invasion of India in 1500 B.C. as mere linguistic guess work or as a motivated implantation. In fact Max Mueller, who was the creator of this theory, had himself rejected this theory. Let us admit that during British Rule, we were educated in the schools based on Macaulay school of thinking which believed that every Indian was inferior and that entire Indian literature was not worth even one book rack in England. If there were similarities in certain features of Indian people and people from Central Europe, then automatic inference drawn was that the Aryans coming from Europe invaded India and settled here. No one dared of thinking in any other way. Therefore, there is urgency for the historians and all other intellectuals to stop reducing Indian history to myth. There is need to gather, dig out, search, unearth and analyse all the evidences, which would throw more light on ancient Indian civilisation and culture. It is saddening that even after 60 years of independence, the Government of India has not constituted a multidisciplinary team consisting of archaeologists, divers, geologists, ecologists and oceanographers to carry out the research around Ram Sethu area. After all when such a team was constituted, the submerged city of Dwarka was found 1.5 kilometres away from the existing Dwarka. Therefore, instead of certifying the non-existence of Ramsethu without any credible
19
research, the need is to carry out scientific research. Not only this, with the development of new scientific methods, the old history written on basis of linguistics will have to be discarded. There is a need to constitute a multidisciplinary team in order to carry out research pertaining to most ancient period and this team should consist of Sanskrit Pandits, Astronomers, Archaeologists, Geologists and Space Scientists. This team should be asked to carry out and correlate research activities in order to rewrite the history after verifying the authenticity and dating of most ancient events of Indian history. There is need for the print and the electronic media to take note of these facts and create atmosphere which would motivate our young and educated youth to carry out research and unearth true facts about ancient Indian civilisation and wisdom and would also encourage them to put across the results of their research before the people fearlessly and with a sense of pride!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Srimadvalmeekiya Ramayana. Published by Geeta Press, Gorakhpur. 2. Dating the Era of Lord Rama by Pushkar Bhatnagar, Published by Rupa & Company. 3. The Astronomical code of the Rigveda by Professor Subhash Kak of Lousiana University (USA), Published by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 4. Ayodhya Ka Itihas by Rai Bahadur Sita Ram (1932), Published by Arya Book Depot, Karol Bagh, New Delhi. 5. Shri Rama Van Gaman Sthal by Dr. Ram Avtar, Published by Shri Rama Sanskritik Shodh Sansthan Trust, New Delhi. 6. Rama Sethu, Published by Rameswaram Rama Sethu Protection Movement, Chennai. 7. Historical Atlas of South Asia by Joseph E. Schwartzberg.
20